If there's any sign of the change in perception around the Detroit Lions, it's players being included on lists from national outlets. ESPN is now out with its list of the top 100 players for the 2023 NFL season, and the Lions are well-represented. There are also stat projections for each player, with
The first Lion on the list, at No. 61, is wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. ESPN's stat projection for the "Sun God" is 95 receptions for 1,047 yards and six touchdowns, with an additional touchdown rushing.
"Since entering the league in 2021, St. Brown has a 1% drop rate (three drops in 265 targets) which is the lowest among all players with 200-plus targets in that span. He's back for Year 3 and hungrier than ever after making his first Pro Bowl appearance last season. Already viewed as one of the most reliable receivers in the league, St. Brown is looking to take his game to an even higher level in 2023. "ESPN's Eric Woodyard
Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds had a quote about St. Brown.
"What they are saying: "You can see he's a man on a mission with how he works. He's coming for something this year." -- Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds"
Detroit Lions have four players on ESPN's top 100 for 2023
Next up is defensive end Aidan Hutchinson at No. 67.
"Hutchinson is coming off a stellar rookie season in which he led all rookies with 9.5 sacks while also racking up 52 total tackles and three interceptions. He also tied for the most quarterback hurries (37) among rookies in 2022 with Kansas City's George Karlaftis. -- Eric Woodyard
Signature stat: Myles Garrett was the only edge rusher double-teamed at a higher rate than Hutchinson (29.6%) last season."
ESPN projects Hutchinson for nine sacks this season, which feels low.
Following Hutchinson is offensive tackle Penei Sewell, at No. 72.
"Sewell has lived up to the hype, surrendering only 1.5 sacks in 2022 en route to earning his first Pro Bowl selection. The 6-foot-5, 335-pound offensive tackle was part of an O-line that helped the Lions become a top-five offense last season. -- Eric Woodyard
Signature stat: Sewell and Jake Matthews allowed the fewest sacks (three) among tackles with at least 1,000 snaps played last season."
And finally, quarterback Jared Goff comes in at No. 91. ESPN's stat projection for him this year is 3,933 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Regression, you say?
"Coming off one of his best seasons in 2022, Goff has a chance to secure a long-term future as the Lions' franchise quarterback.... -- Eric Woodyard
Signature stat: Goff finished the 2022 season with 29 passing touchdowns and seven interceptions, making a TD/INT ratio of 4.1 -- the best in the NFL and the best mark in a single season in Lions franchise history (min. 250 passes)."
St. Brown, Hutchinson, Sewell and Goff will be at the core of whatever success the Lions have this season. It's no surprise ESPN has essentially acknowledged them as such.