Podcast: Draft Expectations, Players Lions Can Expect to Step Up

Latest All Lions podcast examines players on current roster expected to step up in 2024.
Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston
Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions are in an advantageous position for a variety of reasons.

Over the course of the last three years, the front office has overhauled a roster that did not have a track record of playoff success.

General manager Brad Holmes took advantage of having multiple first round draft picks and selected high-end talent on both sides of the football. Building in the trenches and targeting top offensive weapons was a major factor in the team making a deep playoff run in 2023.

What has also contributed to Detroit's recent success has been under-the-radar picks selected in later rounds becoming regular contributors.

In fact, several players currently on the active roster will make it quite difficult for drafted players to see playing time early in their careers.

Outside linebacker James Houston is expected to have a rebound season in 2024 coming back from a fractured ankle.

The expectation is the talented pass-rusher will develop further to become a player that is able to stay on the field and becomes an every-down contributor.

Wideouts Antoine Green, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Tre'Quan Smith will be given every opportunity to compete with Kalif Raymond for reps and targets at the No. 3 and No. 4 spots on the receivers depth chart.

The latest All Lions podcast examines our expectations for the draft and players this season expected to make strides forward in their careers.

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John Maakaron
JOHN MAAKARON

John Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland  Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!