Top 5 breakout candidates for the Detroit Lions in 2023
The Detroit Lions have something new heading into the 2023 season.
Expectations. The NFC North is certainly there for the taking, and some people are all-in on the idea they could make a deep playoff run this year in an NFC that is not particularly deep with legit Super Bowl contenders. A very young roster will have to show further growth, and there are concerns, but there's plenty to be excited about too.
Some Lions' players will be counted on to maintain their high level of play this season. But plenty of others will be eyeing a new level, fostered by the benefits of experience as much as anything else. A chunk of those guys paying off that potential will be instrumental, and even critical, to the team's success.
A list of Lions' breakout candidates for 2023 could be quite long, depending on how deep you'd like to go and how you'd like to highlight certain circumstances. But here we'll hone in those who are in line for bigger, substantial and important roles to spotlight a top five, and attempt to rank them in line with that.
With the first training camp coming on Sunday, here are five top breakout candidates for the Lions this year.