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In the midst of an extended rebuild, the Detroit Lions have begun their ascension up to finally being relevant again. With high draft picks making this roster look exciting once more, the Lions 2022 season may be another step in the right direction for a franchise long mired in below-average records.
Led by D’Andre Swift and TJ Hockenson, plus rookies Aidan Hutchinson and Jameson Williams, the Lions have been plugging major holes with players that have massive upside. The best way for Detroit to tackle their lacking roster is by adding pieces in the right places, and so far it looks like they have done just that.
But what can be expected this season of this roster? Surely the playoffs are unlikely, but can they make some noise?
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Lions Way Too Early Predictions For The 2022 NFL Season
3. TJ Hockenson sets franchise records on his way to a 1K season
As probably the most established pass catcher on this roster, Hockenson was seen as a bit of a reach when he was selected eighth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. Flash forward three seasons, and the former Iowa Hawkeye has ascended into the focal point of this team’s passing attack.
With other options now added around him, less of a burden will be placed on Hockenson’s shoulders, but that should actually open up even more opportunities for him this season.
Brandon Pettigrew currently holds the franchise record for most receiving yards by a TE in a season (777) back in 2011, and if things continue to look up for Hockenson, he should shatter that mark this year on his way to his first career 1,000-yard season. While by no means is Hockenson the next Travis Kelce, Hockenson is exactly the type of player for the Lions to build around, and his fourth year in the league should prove exactly why.
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2. Aidan Hutchinson earns 12 sacks on his way to the DROY
Being able to play in the same state as where you attended college is a rarity in professional sports nowadays, but Hutchinson earned that opportunity when he was selected 2nd overall in the most-recent NFL Draft. Building a team up through the trenches is a great approach to get back on the right track, and Hutchinson is a perfect player to complement last year’s 1st rounder, OL Penei Sewell.
Hutchinson automatically became the best defensive lineman that the Lions have had ever since Ndamukong Suh left, so expecting a high output in his rookie season is definitely in the cards. While he likely will not reach Robert Porcher’s 1999 franchise record of 15 sacks in one season, Hutchinson has the ability to produce double-digit sacks in his rookie year, which would all but guarantee he wins the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
1. D’Andre Swift finishes the season as the overall RB1
Over 1,500 yards and 10+ TDs may seem to be a bit much for Swift, especially with his best season having been his sophomore campaign of 1,000+ yards and 7 total TDs. But with this offense’s identity likely depending on game script and opponent, Swift will likely be one of the few constants in it.
The writing is on the wall for Swift to assume an even larger role this season, and the Lions desperately need him to, especially with Williams still recovering and Hockenson needing someone to help take the burden. Swift’s durability is going to be the biggest factor in him reaching the 1,500-yard / 10-TD mark, but with a better offensive line unit and more efficient game-planning, Swift should be able to meet both of those marks.
But to reach the overall RB1, Swift will need to produce better seasons than Jonathan Taylor, Alvin Kamara, Christian McCaffrey, Austin Ekeler, Dalvin Cook, and others, all tough tasks. But if the team decides to utilize Swift as the three-down back that he is and give him 18+ touches per contest, then he has a great shot at producing at an elite clip.
