An outlet has named one player (non-quarterback) they can't afford to lose, but these five players are the ones most critical to the Detroit Lions success in 2023.
After winning eight of their last 10 games last season, the Detroit Lions enter the 2023 season with a level of expectations it's hard to remember when they had last. Many are high on their prospects for this year, some more than the others, but the base level expectation appears to be a division title for the first time since 1993 (when it was called the NFC Central).
While training camp will have a few interesting position battles (linebacker, right guard, kicker), there are obviously a lot of Lions players who have no questions about their jobs security/starting job. Those players don't really need to be listed out, as we know them well, but they account for a big chunk of what will end up as the 53-man roster heading into Week 1.
Narrowing even further, and inspired by CBS Sports' list of one non-quarterback each NFL team can't afford to lose this season, here are the five Detroit Lions players who are most critical to the team's success in 2023. Frankly, they could be put in any order and it wouldn't be wrong.