The Detroit Lions are coming off a very impressive season in which they reached the NFC Championship. Looking ahead to 2024, they project to be even better. This isn’t just because of their established core of veterans, though. The Lions are loaded with young talent, including players who have only scratched the surface of their potential so far.
This Detroit roster has numerous players who could conceivably break out in 2024, but for now, let’s break down three guys who look ready to make some noise.
Wide Receiver Jameson Williams
Williams is a popular choice when discussing upcoming breakout candidates, and it’s easy to see why. Williams continually improved throughout the 2023 campaign, culminating in a massive performance in the NFC Championship. He repeatedly demonstrated that the more he gets involved, the more noise he’ll make. The team noticed that, and they aren’t going to forget it.
The continually growing trust of quarterback Jared Goff and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is going to be the difference-maker in this situation. Now that the speedy wideout has begun to prove himself, he’s going to take on a much bigger role in this offense, especially given the departure of veteran receiver Josh Reynolds and his vacated offensive snaps.
The puzzle pieces are coming together, and the result is this: Jameson Williams appears more than prepared to step up and take on the role of WR2 in Detroit’s offense.
That time Jameson Williams FLEW for a touchdown ✈️
🎥 @Lions pic.twitter.com/nzEQvLVBko
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) July 16, 2024
Outside Linebacker James Houston
It seems like Houston’s name has faded out of the spotlight a bit. He burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2022, dazzling fans with eight sacks in seven games, only to suffer an ankle injury in Week 2 of the following season. That injury would sideline him until the NFC Championship. Said long-term absence (combined with the general hubbub around the team’s roster activity elsewhere) has partially ousted him from the public eye.
Make no mistake, though: the Jackson State product is immensely talented and should make a compelling case for major snaps at EDGE this year. His injury in 2023 somewhat relegated him to the background, but he’s still the same player who displayed a rare pass-rush arsenal and produced impressive results two years ago. He just hasn’t had the chance to show it again.
I expect that a healthy James Houston — finally given the opportunity to play a full season — will be a key contributor in 2024.
The Detroit Lions are getting back James Houston
Just a reminder of what he will bring to this Lions defense: pic.twitter.com/kCqbJuSIA7
— Booner (@boonersports) December 28, 2023
Linebacker Jack Campbell
Coming off a promising rookie year, expectations are (and should be) high for Jack Campbell entering his sophomore campaign. The Iowa product’s play was inconsistent but encouraging in 2023. Campbell constantly flashed his growing athleticism and field vision across an impressive 747 snaps, a number that should only grow from here on out. The starting middle linebacker spot is truly his for the taking.
Campbell is the prototypical NFL linebacker. The former 18th overall pick displays rare size, impressive speed and quickness at said size, and a continually growing understanding of the professional game. Campbell is the perfect type of guy to anchor an NFL defense from the middle of the field. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound linebacker could develop into a terrifying player, and now that he’s gotten through the ups and downs of his rookie year, he looks ready to take a big step in 2024.
All the tools are there, all the work ethic, all the intangibles, all the growth. The more experience he gets under his belt, the more potential he’ll realize. His first year was solid, but Jack Campbell appears prepared to truly step up and make his mark in his second season in the league.
Detroit #Lions LB Jack Campbell has been gettin A LOT of hype from coaches early in the summer
I see a HUGE leap in year two, not only b/c of the addition of DJ Reader to free him up to meet RBs in the gap, but also a year under Kelvin Sheppard #OnePride pic.twitter.com/X80y2gzoq6
— Spencer Raxter (@Spenmorax) June 12, 2024
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