2) Detroit Lions
The Lions definitely have some question marks, but they also may have the most well rounded offensive personnel in the entire NFC North. This makes them a possibility to be very competitive on this side of the ball.
The offensive line will be perhaps the biggest key. As already outlined, rookies Jackson and Stenberg have to contribute and free-agent acquisition Halapoulivaati Vaitai will have to produce. The former Eagle’s strength is run blocking which bodes well for the Lions ground game, but he will need to protect Stafford equally as well.
Frank Ragnow is on the verge of becoming one of the best centers in the NFL. A couple of young hungry maulers surrounding him have the potential to make for an exciting ground game.
The backfield has plenty of talent. Kerryon Johnson could be a star if he can stay healthy, and even if he does D’Andre Swift might still wrestle away the starting job from him. Sophomore Ty Johnson has speed and played well down the stretch last season.
Meanwhile, rookie fifth-round pick Jason Huntley has super speed, is an outstanding return man, and is a terrific receiver out of the backfield to help give the passing game some extra punch.
The Lions boast one of the best trios of receivers in the NFL. Golladay, Jones, and Amendola, if healthy, are almost impossible to stop. The continued maturation of tight end T.J. Hockenson should go a very long way towards making the passing game lethal.
Tight end is traditionally a hard position to master in the NFL, Hockenson is a no-nonsense, hard worker who should follow the pattern of so many outstanding tight ends before him that made a big leap from their rookie to sophomore season.
Matthew Stafford will continue to orchestrate Darrell Bevell’s offense. Last season he played at a near MVP level. With a year of experience under his belt and more weapons to work with, the sky could be the limit for him in 2020.
This, of course, leaves one team left in the NFC North to be named the best offense in the division.