The Detroit Lions have a solid roster of established players who are slated for big roles.
But who is poised to break out this season as the franchise looks for the final step it hasn’t taken in the 58-year Super Bowl era?
New names have continued to emerge during the offseason, from Jameson Williams taking over the role of second receiver to Levi Onwuzurike looking healthy and ready to contribute as a defensive tackle.
But who knows this better than the players themselves, who have seen the work all spring and summer?
So this week we interviewed more than a dozen Lions players in the locker room at Allen Park and asked them a simple question: “Which of your teammates is about to have a breakthrough season and why?”
Here are the Lions players selected for a great season.
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Which Detroit Lions players are set to make their breakthrough in the 2024 season?
Linebacker Derrick Barnes: “I’m really excited to watch Jack (Campbell). (He’s) a smart guy that wants to get better, that wants to continue to grow and get better and work his way into a leadership role. This is a guy that takes every day super seriously. Him, Josh Paschal — someone who’s worked really hard — and Alex (Anzalone) — he’s going to bring it. I think, honestly, our whole defense. Just a bunch of hungry guys that compete and want to get better every day.”
OL Frank Ragnow: “I would still say Alim McNeill is underrated. I mean, he’s already hit his stride, but he’s still underrated. I think he’s a damn good football player and I’m excited to see how good he really is.”
CB Terrion Arnold: “Amik Robertson. At the end of the day, the guy is just a playmaker. His energy is infectious, he has grit and I love his approach to the game – very intellectual. … Just the way he lines up, makes plays and gets the ball, I think he’s ready for a breakthrough season.”
OL Dan Skipper: “It wouldn’t shock me if Levi was a household name by the end of the season. He’s been impressive lately.”
RB Sione Vaki: “D-Mo (David Montgomery) and Jah (Jahmyr Gibbs) are going to make some plays. In the receiver room, we have Jamo and Saint (Amon-Ra St. Brown) as obvious playmakers. Alim, Hutch (Aidan Hutchinson), honestly the whole defense is crazy. The offense is crazy, I mean, our offensive line, you can’t complain. So yeah, overall, just look at the whole roster. … Even on the special teams, we have captain JRM (Jalen Reeves-Maybin). They run a tight ship, so I’m just happy to be a part of it.”
TE Sam Laporta: “Vaki. He is a versatile player.”
TE James Mitchell: “Levi. He was a beast, man. He’s strong, athletic, physical. He’s going to wreak havoc this year.”
CB Amik Robertson: “On offense, we know Saint, we know Gibbs. I think the player who has impressed a lot on offense is Jamo. On defense, it’s pretty difficult because there are a lot of players and a lot of players attacking the ball.”
OL Michael Niese: “I would add Alim McNeill to the squad. He had a really good training camp, has the respect of the league and is a well-known player. But I think he can and will be an X-factor for us on defense.”
TE Brock Wright: “Honestly, Jake Bates. I just think he has a great leg and I’m excited to see it.”
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OL Colby Sorsdal: “I think Marcus Davenport is going to have a great year. He’s already an outstanding player, but to come here and see what he’s done and the work he’s put in is going to be really amazing and exciting.”
CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.: “My breakout guy is Terrion Arnold. He’s got a lot to do as a freshman and they put him in a position where he can play early. I think he’s going to develop well the way he’s developing week by week. I think Terrion is going to be a good corner in this league.”
DL Marcus Davenport: “Hutch. We’ve stepped up a level this year. I think overall we’re all going to improve, work harder – we’re only going to step it up.” (He added that Onwuzurike was his second choice.)
DL Aidan Hutchinson: “Marcus.”
CB Kindle Image: “I would say Jamo. He’s looked fantastic during training camp, showing his speed, his ball skills and things like that. I’m really excited to see him play.”
Running Back Craig Reynolds: “BB (Brian Branch) in the secondary. (In the) D-line, Alim. We all know he’s good, but he’s going to take it to another level this year. And D-Barnes (Derrick Barnes), too.”
RB Jermar Jefferson: “Jamo will be different this year. Another offensive player is D-Mo. D-Mo always looks good, but this year he’s different.”
Jared Ramsey is a sports reporter for the Detroit Free Press, covering the city’s professional teams, the state’s two top universities and more. Follow Jared on X @jared_ramsey22 and email him at [email protected].
