5 Detroit Lions who could be first-time Pro Bowlers in 2023

5. DE Aidan Hutchinson

All Hutchinson did as a rookie last year was lead all rookie is sacks (9.5) and quarterback pressures (53), while playing the second-most snaps among all NFL defensive lineman (958). He was also double-teamed like an elite edge rusher immediately.

Particularly late in the season, when he was one of Pro Football Focus' highest-graded edge defenders in the league, Hutchinson was everything the Lions could have hoped he'd be.

The natural progression for Hutchinson this year, with the Lions ideally having a consistent force on the opposite edge (James Houston?) and a better defense overall, is crossing into double-digit sacks while staking a claim as one of the best overall edge guys in the league. That's going to elevate him to Pro Bowl-worth status.

4. LT Taylor Decker

The longest-tenured Lion, as a rookie on the franchise's last playoff team (2016), Decker has long toiled in the obscurity of a lot of losing. He has been solidly graded all-around by Pro Football Focus, and acknowledged as a very good player by anyone who knows. While he has missed a solid chunk of time in two of his seven seasons, his toughness cannot be questioned.

Decker plays with a bit of an aggressive edge, which is an important element he adds to a young Lions' team within his brand of leadership.

It won't be easy to crack the tackle mix on the NFC Pro Bowl team. But one way or another, Decker could very well earn his first trip to what now are games/festivities this season.