The Detroit Lions will start the 2026 season in a perfect position to sneak up on some teams, and that looks to be even more the case when taking a closer look at some early power rankings before the year.
Even though the Lions have plenty advantages like an easier schedule and the benefit of a young roster with a Super Bowl window firmly engages, some in the media continue to sleep on Detroit. Already, ESPN's power ranking list has the Lions further down than perhaps they should be.
Before a game has even been played, the Lions rate 11th in the league according to those rankings, behind teams like the Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. Considering where those teams have been at and could go this season,
Along the way, writer Eric Woodyard looked at a little bit of history that will be made this year. Amon-Ra St. Brown will quickly pass Justin Jefferson for most receptions by a player in his first six seasons in the league, which is quite an accomplishment for a former fourth-round pick.
"The fourth-round pick from the 2021 draft will try to continue to add to his record-breaking start as he enters this season with 547 career receptions. St. Brown can surpass Justin Jefferson (579) for the most receptions by a player in his first six NFL seasons, which could happen near midseason. The "Sun God" can also become the first player with at least 100 receptions in five of his first six seasons."
St. Brown is one of Detroit's most important players this season, and the fact that he is going to quietly make this bit of history is very notable. In the past, there's been a light debate about where St. Brown stacks up against his competition in the league. This marker would prove he's easily one of the best wideouts in the league.
St. Brown focused more on helping Lions rather than personal goals
While St. Brown is likely to quickly cement himself as one of the best young wideouts in the game statistically this year, he's not focused on that particular accolade or any other going into the season. Instead, he's more interested in his evolution as a leader during his seventh season in the league.
As St. Brown explained during training camp, his goals are centered on his consistency as a player, and also what he can do in order to help his teammates succeed, whether that be a younger player or other veterans. In the end, the biggest goal he sees is always a championship.
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"For me, it's just being consistent. Being a good teammate, being a leader. Doing whatever I can to help the team win. Taking care of business, showing guys, leading by example. After that, it's bringing guys along. Whether it's a young guy, whether it's an older guy that's maybe lost some confidence, whatever it is, bringing the whole team along so that we can reach that end goal."
Clearly, St. Brown's selfless attitude is something which makes him a fantastic, well-rounded talent. He's as big a reason as any that the Lions have a chance to rise up the league power rankings this year all the way to the No. 1 spot.
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