With the expectation they'll win more games this year, these five Detroit Lions players could be first time Pro Bowlers.
The Detroit Lions are getting plenty of attention this offseason, as the proverbial favorites to win an NFC North that looks to be there for the taking (or more).
Right or wrong, the best teams in the NFL generally get the most players elected to the Pro Bowl each year. Of course alternates get a chance to go as players from the Super Bowl teams don't go, and others just bow out for whatever other reason. The last two years, the Lions have benefitted from that as guard Jonah Jackson, offensive tackle Penei Sewell and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown got a chance to go to their first career Pro Bowls.
It's routine for Lions players to fall below the radar for being voted into the Pro Bowl, even if their production and level of play makes them worthy. Last year, of the four who went, center Frank Ragnow was the only Lion originally voted to be on the NFC team.
But winning a lot of games this year (assuming it happens) will put more Lions' players on the radar of the national audience, and thus naturally make them better known to the masses. So, also naturally, more could be voted in or named alternates and then get to go when people bow out.
In particular, these five Lions players could make a trip to their first Pro Bowl this season.
5 Detroit Lions who could make their first Pro Bowl 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.
3. S Kerby Joseph
Off a nice rookie season (four interceptions, 82 total tackles), Joseph came in first in Pro Bowl fan voting among NFC free safeties last year. But fan voting is only one-third of the selection process, so he didn't get to make the trip to Las Vegas with four of his teammates.
Even with the notable additions to the Lions secondary this offseason, Joseph's starting job is not in line to be seriously threatened by anyone. Internal expectations have been put out there for him, and they aren't low.
Joseph is a legit ball hawk, and he showed it immediately as a rookie last year. It's worth noting this year will only be his third season as a full-time defensive back, with his final year at Illinois and last year all that's under his belt.
The sky is the limit for Joseph, and his first Pro Bowl selection is possible in his second NFL season.
2. RB David Montgomery
Montgomery surely won't repeat Jamaal Williams' Lions franchise record 17 rushing touchdowns from last season. But he is an unequivoal upgrade over the plodding and more broadly limited Williams, and he's now running behind one of the best offensive lines in the league after years of that not being the case with the Bears.
Yes, Jahmyr Gibbs will get a good share of the work in the Lions' backfield. But make no mistake, Montgomery will be the proverbial bell cow while Gibbs is used as an all-around weapon. There will almost surely be times the two backs are on the field together, to create a real headache for opposing defenses.
If Montgomery runs for say, 1,100 yards and scores 10-12 times for the Lions this year, he'll be in the running for his first trip to the Pro Bowl. And those numbers are definitely possible.
1. CB Cameron Sutton
After a couple nice years as a starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Lions moved quickly in free agency to sign Sutton as they started to turn over their cornerback room.
Sutton is now stepping into a clear leadership role for the Lions, to go with the high level of play he established once he became a starter for the Steelers. He'll also be stepping in as the No. 1 cornerback in Detroit, and Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports recently named him as the under the radar Lion who could become a star this season.
The exact numbers can vary depending on the outlet. But Sutton was one of the best corners in the league last year based on passer rating allowed and completion percentage allowed, as he also had 15 pass breakups. Even if he has not been a household name, there's a reason he was regarded as one of the top cornerbacks available in 2023 free agency. NFL teams knew how good he has been the last couple years, and the Lions knew they had to get the deal done quickly if they wanted him.
The next step for Sutton is to become widely recognized for his play, in line with the Lions' secondary now being one of the strengths of the team. His first career Pro Bowl selection would be an easy part of that evolution.