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Detroit Lions Have a Bright Future, According to PFF

The Detroit Lions fell one win short of their first-ever Super Bowl berth last season. They had a halftime lead against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game but lost their opportunity to enter the big game.

Despite that setback, the long-suffering franchise is geared for a promising future. PFF highly commended its young but talented core. Five Lions players made it to Pro Football Focus’ top 25 players under 25 entering the 2024 NFL season.

Offensive tackle Penei Sewell led the pack and topped the list with his exceptional performance. Last season, the former Oregon standout outshone all offensive linemen with an overall grade of 92.8 and a run-blocking grade of 95.1, earning him a well-deserved First Team All-Pro selection.

On the other side of the ball, edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson was ranked sixth. His 91.2 pass-rushing grade trailed only 2023 Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, Micah Parsons, Nick Bosa, and T.J. Watt. Last year, he became a Pro Bowler after tallying 51 tackles, 11.5 sacks, seven passes defended, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and an interception.

Meanwhile, Amon-Ra St. Brown ranked 11th on the list after completing an All-Pro season (119 receptions, 1,515 yards, ten touchdowns). Completing back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons earned him a four-year, $120 million extension this offseason.

Tight end Sam LaPorta is 19th on the list after a fantastic rookie season, earning him Pro Bowl and Second Team All-Pro nods. The former Iowa standout established single-season franchise records in receptions (86), receiving yards (889), and touchdowns (10).

Finally, Jahmyr Gibbs is number 21 on the list. Despite starting only three of 15 games last year, the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft had 182 carries for 945 yards and ten touchdowns. Playing the entire regular season might have brought him over 1,000 yards.

The Lions had the most players on the list, with five, followed by the Houston Texans, with three (C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson Jr., Derek Stingley Jr.). The New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, and Atlanta Falcons each have two.

-Lance Fernandez

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