5 most underappreciated Detroit Lions heading into the 2024 season

2. OG Graham Glasgow

The Lions have a top offensive line, headlined by three first-round picks. The decision to bring back Glasgow, who was drafted by them in 2016 (the same year as Taylor Decker), in 2023 looked good right away. Then he took over at right guard, and was a top-10 guard in the league by PFF grade, with the fifth-best run blocking grade. He also made starts at center and left guard last season, as his versatility added the expected value.

The Lions rewarded Glasgow with a three-year deal this offseason. Then, after the signing of Kevin Zeitler, he is moving over to left guard this year. That position is not foreign to him, as he played there a lot over his first two NFL seasons and did so at a solid level.

At the press conference making his new contract official, Glasgow said the Lions would "figure it out" in regard to how to replace the departed Jonah Jackson.

Figuring it out soon meant Glasgow would be moving positions to accommodate Zeitler coming in to play right guard. Which only adds to the idea he's underappreciated.

1. RB David Montgomery

Montgomery landed in the best situation of his career when the Lions signed him as a free agent in 2023. As last season progressed, he took a back seat to the growth and emergence of Jahmyr Gibbs. Still, all Montgomery did was finish ninth in the league in rushing yards (1,015) and fifth in touchdowns (13) while missing three games. Analytics were also complementary of his work, as PFF credited him with 54 missed tackles forced (seventh in the league; regular season and playoffs). Montgomery also had a slightly higher overall PFF grade than Gibbs.

Heading into this year, the hype is wide-ranging and real regarding Gibbs. That makes it easy to set Montgomery aside, even though his role in the Lions' offense is sure to remain important and notable. Some people may want to outright dismiss Montgomery's talent, but to not appreciate what he does or just outright overlook him is a mistake too many people are making.