Two Detroit Lions players made the cut for Pro Football Focus’ top 101 players from the 2022 season, and two more have made the ‘just missed’ list.
In Pro Football Focus’ list of the top 101 players from the 2022 NFL season, the Detroit Lions had two make it. Offensive tackle Penei Sewell came in at No. 77, and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown landed nicely at No. 28.
Lists like these are always open to debate and conversation, and Lions’ fans may feel like the team got robbed when more players deserved to be in PFF’s Top-101.
Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus has offered 10 players who just missed the site’s top-101 players for 2022.
The Lions are represented, some might even say well (too well?) represented on that ‘just missed the list’ list.
Two Detroit Lions make list of those who ‘just missed’ PFF’s Top 101
Here are the Lions who just missed being among Pro Football Focus’ best 101 players from last season.
"EDGE AIDAN HUTCHINSON, DETROIT LIONS2022 PFF grade: 80.7Hutchinson had a very good rookie season, and as the year progressed, he had a very good year for any player. From Week 11 onward, only Micah Parsons and Myles Garrett registered a higher overall PFF grade than Hutchinson, who finished his debut season with 53 total pressures and added the bonus of three interceptions. Hutchinson was better than average in all facets of play, and if the season had gone on longer, he may have catapulted himself onto the list.C FRANK RAGNOW, DETROIT LIONS2022 PFF grade: 77.9At his best, Ragnow is as good as any center in the league. Even battling through injury, as was the case for most of 2022, he was still among the better players at the position. Ragnow allowed just 13 total pressures across 16 games and over 600 snaps of pass protection. Only one of those pressures was a sack or a knockdown of his quarterback, and he did this with a revolving door of guards alongside him on the interior for Detroit."
Hutchinson was one of the top edge defenders in the league down the stretch, behind only Micah Parsons and Myles Garrett in Pro Football Focus grade from Week 11 on. He got past the learning curve a rookie tends to have early, and became a legit, consistent force.
Ragnow hardly lasted into the season before suffering an injury to the same foot that an injury to cost him most of the 2021 season. But other than missing Week 2 and some rest in a Week 17 blowout win over the Chicago Bears, he did not miss a single snap and was one of the best centers in the league. Ragnow was the only Lion to gain election to the Pro Bowl during initial voting.
As the Lions hopefully become a more consistent winner, players will naturally get more attention and acknowledgement across the board. The days of being overlooked, or even slighted, may be over heading toward the 2023 season in line with expectations being higher.