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Not much is expected from the lowly Detroit Lions in 2021-22 — and rightfully so. Not only are the Lions simply not a very good football team as far well-roundedness and talent go, but Detroit also plays in the NFC North division alongside the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears, all of which should be relatively competitive — at worst — this time around.
However, that doesn't mean that the new-look Lions won't have something to prove when matched up against the top talent in both the NFC and NFC North. With former Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff now under center and first-year NFL head coach Dan Campbell patrolling the sideline, it will be interesting to see how things shake out in the “Motor City” when the 2021-22 regular season comes to an end.
Just because the team isn't expected to succeed as far as wins and losses go, that doesn't mean that the tandem of Campbell and Goff aren't going to go out easy. With that in mind, Campbell and the team's front office will have a few intriguing decisions to make in the coming weeks as far as starters and general personnel are concerned.
Lions starters in jeopardy ahead of NFL season
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Wide Receiver / Kalif Raymond, Wide Receiver
As it stands today, the Detroit Lions have the tandem of Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman leading the way in terms of starting wide receivers. Presumably due to the fact that both Williams and Perriman have been quite injury prone and hit or miss throughout their respective NFL playing careers, the Lions have no shortage of pass catching options along the outside.
Although a healthy Williams and Perriman are no doubt the team's top two wide outs, rookie pass catcher Amon-Ra St. Brown is presently slotted in as the team's third starter at the position. However, as a rookie, there is no certainty to St. Brown coming out of the preseason in such a role as there is a long line of talented pass catchers behind him that he will have to truly beat out before Week 1.
The soon-to-be 22-year-old St. Brown was originally selected by the Lions in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of USC. Standing at an even 6'0″ tall while weighing just shy of 200 pounds, St. Brown had a standout collegiate career, but as a mid-round NFL Draft pick, his spot atop the depth chart will be a tough one to hold onto with a veteran wide receiver like Kalif Raymond waiting in the wings.
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The 26-year-old Raymond came over to Detroit from the Tennessee Titans while helping the AFC South franchise find some sustained success over the course of the last few seasons. Although Raymond was typically slotted behind various Titans wide outs like A.J. Brown, Corey Davis, Adam Humphries and others, the Lions newcomer still managed to shine when given an opportunity — especially in the playoffs. Raymond definitely posses the biggest threat to St. Brown in terms of a starting spot ahead of the regular season slate as he brings tenacity and experience to the table for the Lions.
It is also worth noting that Chad Hansen, Quintez Cephus and Geronimo Allison are in the mix as reserve wide receivers as well. Even so, Hansen, Cephus nor Allison will overtake the aforementioned quartet for starting or key back-up spots for the 2021-22 Lions.
Alim McNeill, Defensive Tackle / John Penisini, Defensive Tackle
The Detroit Lions notably selected former North Carolina State defensive tackle Alim McNeill in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft while immediately slotting the 6'2,” 330-pounder in as the team's starting defensive tackle ahead of the upcoming 2021-22 campaign. However, for a mid-round NFL Draft pick on a team with some veteran depth along the defensive front, a starting role come Week 1 won't be guaranteed.
With McNeill yet to play a single snap atop the highest level, Lions head coach Dan Campbell could quickly turn to second-year defensive tackle John Penisini to begin the regular season. The 24-year-old defender was originally selected by the Lions in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Utah. Although a late-round NFL Draft pick himself, Penisini at least has some professional reps under his belt from his rookie year in 2020-21.
Last season, Penisini appeared in all 16 regular season games for the Lions en route to producing 35 total tackles, 19 solo tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery. Penisini's numbers from 2020-21 definitely don't jump off the page but at least the Lions would know what they were getting by turning to the second-year defensive tackle.
