3 breakout candidates for the Detroit Lions in 2022

As the 2022 season gets ever closer, here are three breakout candidates for the Detroit Lions.

On a team full of young players, the list of breakout candidates can be long. The Detroit Lions, as they look to take a big step up in the win column, are going to be looking for players who can step up this season.

Some young Lions have already shown flashes of just how good they can be. Let’s take a look at three breakout candidates for the Lions this year.

3 breakout candidates for the Detroit Lions in 2022

Running Back D’Andre Swift

Swift has been hampered with injuries his first two seasons in Detroit. But when he’s been healthy, he’s looked like a potential 1,000-yard rusher. Not only is Swift good on the ground, but he is a skilled pass catcher out of the backfield as well and could be poised for a huge season. The Lions have added significant players to their offense, with one of the league’s best offensive lines to open up room for Swift. It’s just a matter of him staying healthy.

Defensive Tackle Alim McNeill

McNeill was a third-round pick by the Lions in last year’s draft, and he had an up-and-down rookie season. With flashes of being able to dominate on the interior came an inability to sustain it and light playing time at times. After a year in the league and a full offseason, the Lions are expecting more and he’s gotten some broader buzz as a breakout candidate. A shift to a base defensive scheme with four-man defensive fronts could unlock McNeill in his second season.

Cornerback Amani Oruwariye

Oruwariye truly broke out last season when he ranked third in the NFL with six interceptions. This is more about projecting Oruwariye to become well-known on a national scale, and join the class of certified No.1, shutdown corners in the league. With a question marks around him at cornerback, albeit with hope Jeff Okudah can stay healthy and emerge, opponents may begin to avoid Oruwariye before too long.