Tag: Detroit Lions

Lions hire football analytics manager away from Cardinals

Charlie Adkins gets a promotion with the Lions as their senior director of football operations after seven years with the Cardinals.

The Arizona Cardinals have lost one of the people in their football analytics department. According to ESPN’s Seth Walder, Charlie Adkins, who was the Cardinals’ manager for football analytics and research, has been hired by the Detroit Lions to become their senior director of football operations.

Adkins comes to the Lions after spending the last seven years with the Arizona Cardinals. He was first hired as a football operations analyst, before jumping to the analytics and research department, where he has spent the last five years.

He now works with Lions COO Mike Disner, who used to work for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals lose Adkins, who helped general manager Monti Ossenfort with trade scenarios in the NFL draft, but he gets a promotion.

Congrats to him moving forward.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Three underrated defenders for the Lions defense

Three underrated defenders for the Lions defense that could shine in 2024, from Lions Wire’s Russell Brown

With the Detroit Lions and several other teams having mini-camps and off-season workouts over the last few weeks, it opens the door for predictions on each teams roster.

For the Lions, there’s a belief that their team has gotten better this off-season. I would agree with that, specifically with their defense. By adding Ennis Rakestraw and Terrion Arnold, they appear to have a long-term plan at cornerback for the first time in a long time.

Those aren’t the only two players the Lions have added to their defense. There are several other defenders that they’ve drafted and signed or traded for in free agency. Let’s take a look at three defenders that are underrated right now but they could have a huge impact this season for the Lions!

DL Mekhi Wingo

Drafted in the 6th round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Wingo adds depth to the Lions revamped defensive line. Despite being undersized as an interior defensive lineman, Wingo provides power and versatility for the Lions.

At the Scouting Combine, Wingo put up 225 pounds a total of 25 times and it shows on tape with his ability to bull-rush offensive lineman. Additionally, he played in multiple spots along the LSU defensive front. In his 22 games played for the Tigers, he was able to compile 71 tackles with 11 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.

Even though Wingo may not contribute right away, there could be an opportunity for him to have a serious role later in the season for Detroit. There’s some uncertainty on what role Levi Onwuzurike will have but he’s also dealt with injuries early in his career. In addition to his injuries, the health of D.J. Reader could be a factor as he’s dealt with consecutive seasons with torn quads.

Lastly, what type of season will the Lions get from Brodric Martin? He arrived at camp this year in shape and looks much stronger from his rookie season. Meanwhile, he appears to be motivated by Lions veterans of Alim McNeill and D.J. Reader. But if an injury occurs or a player’s conditioning comes into question, I could see a path for Wingo to carve out a role this season.

After all, the Lions lost Benito Jones to the Miami Dolphins in free agency and he played 567 defensive snaps (51.92%) last season. Even though he probably won’t eat up all those snaps, there could be more contribution from Wingo than originally expected. With that, he could be one of the more underrated defenders on the Lions roster.

CB Amik Robertson

Adding to the list of underrated players, we could see a scenario where Amik Robertson rarely leaves the field for Detroit. Signed on a two-year deal, Robertson brings experience and an aggressive style of play to the Lions defense that will be coveted.

Last season, he started in 12 games for the Raiders and he played 675 defensive snaps (59.58%). Over the last two seasons, he’s started 19 games and has only allowed 78 receptions during that span.

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Much of the reasoning to why Robertson may rarely leave the field is due to my thought of the Lions playing more nickel and dime packages than they have in the past. They have more depth in their secondary than year’s past but they’ve also got two rookie cornerbacks that could ease into their roles. Especially Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who was selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

In addition to this, the Lions defensive snap leader a season ago was Cameron Sutton with 1,077 snaps (98.6%). Sure, they traded for cornerback Carlton Davis but if there’s any type of injury to Davis, that makes Robertson that much more valuable. Look for him to be overlooked but don’t be surprised if he has strong contributions to the defense.

EDGE Marcus Davenport

Now this one may be a stretch but if Marcus Davenport can stay healthy, he should be able to produce at a relatively high level for Detroit. After all, he’s not the first defensive end the Lions have spent a one-year contract on for them to earn another contract with the team.

John Cominksy and Charles Harris are perfect examples of that.

While the Lions have since moved on from Charles Harris, he did play 292 defensive snaps (26.74%) last season. Meanwhile, John Cominsky played 569 defensive snaps (52.11%) last season. If healthy, it wouldn’t be surprising if Cominsky and Davenport split those snaps.

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For Davenport, he only played 118 snaps last season and was placed on injured reserve after suffering a high ankle sprain in week 6. If there’s anyway he can tap into the player that he used to be, we’ll see a defensive end that plays well laterally but is also able to turn speed-to-power consistently.

When he’s able to do that, the results are there. From 2018 to 2021, he compiled 21 total sacks. We should all remain hopeful that Davenport can become that player once again. Especially since he’ll be paired with defensive end Aidan Hutchinson for most of this season.

 

Can Justin Jefferson set the new single-season receiving mark in 2024?

In a recent interview Calvin Johnson said it’s only a matter of time before his receiving yards record falls. Could Justin Jefferson do it?

Recently, Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson broke the record for biggest non-quarterback contract in league history. And he did so for good reason. Not only has Jefferson been arguably the best wide receiver in the league since the Vikings drafted him in 2020, he’s also been the most prolific receiver to start a career in NFL history.

Jefferson holds the record for most yards by a receiver in his first four seasons, with just shy of 6,000 yards. But one record has eluded him so far: The single-season receiving yards record.

Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, the current record holder, recently said in an interview that he believes his record will fall. Johnson, who set the all-time mark back in 2012 with 1,964, had this to say about the record and its impending fall in an interview with Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press:

I mean, it’s bound to fall at some point the way it’s going, so it is what it is… I held it down, I don’t even know how long, over a decade now.

A few receivers have come close in recent years, with the Los Angeles Rams’ Cooper Kupp falling just 17 yards shy of the mark in 2021. Jefferson himself has flirted with the mark in his career. Two years ago, Jefferson came the closest he has to this point, notching 1,809 yards in 2021.

Jefferson was on a torrid pace through the first five games of last season, averaging 114 yards per game before an ankle injury derailed his season—a pace that would have put Jefferson just 23 yards shy of Johnson’s record.

The record is bound to fall at some point, but will Jefferson be the one to become the NFL’s new receiving yardage king, and can he do it this season?

On the optimistic side, Jefferson is well established as the Vikings’ dominant offensive weapon. That’s likely to be even more the case this season as the Vikings try to integrate a rookie quarterback into the fold with first-round pick J.J. McCarthy.

McCarthy likely won’t start right away for the Vikings, but they didn’t draft him to sit on the bench. He’ll eventually work his way into the starting lineup, and he will likely lean heavily on the star receiver.

That factor is likely compounded by the fact that the Vikings may be without star tight end T.J. Hockenson for the beginning portions of the season. Hockenson suffered a significant knee injury towards the end of last season, and though his rehab has been progressing, he still may wind up on the PUP list to start the season – meaning he could be out for the team’s first six weeks. Jefferson’s already dominant role in the offense increases even more if that’s the case.

On the pessimistic side, while Johnson believes it’s inevitable that his record falls one day—and he’s likely right—it’s going to take a Herculean effort by a wide receiver to do it. Even with an extra game on the schedule now as opposed to when Johnson set the mark, no one has been able to topple him at the top of the receiving yardage mountain.

It also shouldn’t be discounted that, while Jefferson is going to be the focal point of the Vikings offense, even with T.J. Hockenson absent from the lineup, other weapons will still eat into Jefferson’s share.

Second-year wide receiver Jordan Addison likely played his way into a larger role in the offense with a solid rookie season last year. The Vikings also signed former Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones in the offseason to improve a running game that was a disappointment in 2023.

So, while Jefferson certainly has the talent necessary to become the new receiving yardage king, he will be fighting an uphill battle to take the crown from the former Lions star. Will he have enough opportunity in 2024 to set a new mark? Only time will tell.

Netflix’s ‘Receiver’ trailer showcases 49ers’ run to Super Bowl 58, with an emphasis on George Kittle for some reason

Netflix apparently considers George Kittle … a receiver?

Fresh off the success of Quarterback last summer, the documentary series chronicling the in-season NFL life of superstars like Patrick Mahomes, Netflix is officially running it back.

This time, though, the streaming giant will highlight another pro football position: Receivers, especially of the star variety.

On Thursday, Netflix revealed a dramatic trailer for Receiver, an in-depth inside look at the on and off-field dynamics for top football playmakers dropping this July 10. And while there are familiar names like the Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson and Detroit Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown featured, for some reason, George Kittle — a tight end — is also involved.

I mean, I guess Kittle technically catches passes, as he explains in the video, so he qualifies as a “receiver.” Still, he’s also a 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end who is probably an in-line blocking behemoth first and foremost. So, what are we doing here?

Ah, whatever, he’s in the show, and there’s a lot of 49ers talk as they make a run to Super Bowl 58:

For posterity, the five players featured in Receiver will be:

  • Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
  • Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
  • Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders
  • Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers
  • George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

If this is even halfway as good as Quarterback — which gave us a lot of terrific behind-the-scenes moments — then look for Receiver to be an absolute gem.

Featured image courtesy of Netflix

Former Lions WR Calvin Johnson feels receiving record is bound to fall

Former Detroit Lions WR Calvin Johnson believes its only a matter of time before his single-season receiving record falls in today’s league

Many Detroit Lions fans consider themselves fortunate to have witnessed the supreme talents of players like Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson, both of whom are frequently included in discussions as among the greatest to have ever played in their respective positions.

In 1997, Sanders came remarkably close to shattering the single-season rushing record, falling just 52 yards short of Eric Dickerson’s mark of 2,105 yards. Conversely, Johnson made history by breaking the single-season receiving record, becoming a symbol of excellence, showcasing unparalleled skill, athleticism, and dominance on the field.

Johnson’s record-setting performance, totaling 1,964 yards during the 2012 season, is widely acknowledged as one of the most impressive achievements in NFL history. His blend of size, speed, and sheer talent made him a daunting challenge for opposing defenses, propelling him to legendary status among football enthusiasts. For years, it appeared that Johnson’s record would remain unassailable until Cooper Kupp came within 17 yards of breaking it in 2021, even with the added advantage of an extra game compared to Johnson’s 16-game season.

Given the NFL’s increasing emphasis on aerial attacks, Johnson himself acknowledges that it’s only a matter of time before his receiving record is surpassed. As he told Dave Birkett of the Free Presstold Dave Birkett of the Free Press,

“They want more offense, man, so at some point. You got to be healthy. You got to play really a full 17 now. … That’s the key. You got to be healthy. If you can play 17, guys have put up numbers, you’re going to put up numbers. That 17, you get that extra game to put another 150 or 200 (yards).”

After Kupp’s remarkable 2021 season, the receiving record has been within striking distance, with Justin Jefferson totaling 1,809 yards in 2022 and Tyreek Hill amassing 1,799 yards in 16 games during 2023.

With the expanded 17-game schedule, receivers now need to average approximately 116 yards per game, a feat that seems achievable in today’s pass-heavy league. However, as Johnson pointed out, maintaining good health is crucial. If players like Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, or CeeDee Lamb catch fire and avoid injuries, it’s not unreasonable to expect the record to be broken sooner than anticipated.

Detroit Lions sign former Iowa Hawkeyes LB Ben Niemann

Hawkeyes pipeline.

Another former member of the Iowa Hawkeyes has found his way to an NFL roster only continuing the healthy pipeline that Kirk Ferentz has built. Former Iowa linebacker Ben Niemann has signed with the Detroit Lions.

Niemann joins Sam LaPorta and Jack Campbell as two other Hawkeyes on the roster that fit the manta and hard-nosed mentality of Lions head coach Dan Campbell.

Ben Niemann has played six years in the NFL, primarily with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he spent his first four seasons. He then bounced around to the Arizona Cardinals in 2022 and spent 2023 with the Tennessee Titans and  Denver Broncos.

Niemann has appeared in 86 career games registering 239 total tackles, 2 sacks, a forced fumble, and five fumble recoveries. He joins a deep and talented linebacking group in Detroit.

While at Iowa, Niemann played in 53 total games while starting in 40. He was an honorable mention for the All-Big Ten team in his sophomore and senior seasons. His career at Iowa included 201 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.

Niemann will be a longshot to start for the Lions but his ability to play special teams could snag him a roster spot. During the 2023 season he did not play a defensive snap and was solely used on special teams, somewhere he could have an immediate impact for the Detroit Lions.

Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.

Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7

Texans QB C.J. Stroud raves about new Commanders hire Dylan Thompson

C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson recall how important Dylan Thompson was to them last season.

The Washington Commanders made another impressive hire on Monday. This time, general manager Adam Peters made a hire that directly impacts his rookie class, specifically quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Washington hired Houston Texans director of team development Dylan Thompson for a similar role. The Commanders parted ways with Malcolm Bracken earlier this offseason. Bracken had served as Washington’s senior director of player development.

Let’s briefly explain the role. First, it’s not a front-office move or a coaching move. In this role, Thompson is responsible for helping all players, specifically younger players, acclimate to the NFL. A former college quarterback at South Carolina, Thompson made a positive impact on last year’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, C.J. Stroud, with the Texans.

According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 in Houston, here’s what Stroud said about Thompson last year.

“I think I grew tremendously, man,” said Stroud. “I know he’s going to be mad at me for this, Dylan Thompson. Oh my gosh, Dylan is one of the best human beings that I’ve ever met in my life. There’s a ton of people, great people in this organization, but DT has been the main person.

More from Stroud on Thompson.

“You talk about a brother like to somebody who loves you no matter what happens on that field, you can feel that. I just appreciate that and now he’s going to be mad at me, but, man, he’s a great person, and really one of the reasons why I feel like we were very successful this year.”

Stroud said this without anyone asking about Thompson specifically. That’s how much Stroud valued Thompson. Houston’s other top-five draft from 2023, edge rusher Will Anderson, was also positively impacted by Thompson.

Anderson offered similar sentiments on Thompson and how important he was to him and Houston’s other rookies.

Washington is often compared to Houston as a best-case scenario.  A new coach, a dynamic young quarterback selected No. 2 overall, and a last-place team heading into a new season. A phenomenal rookie class played a massive role in the Texans’ turnaround, led by Stroud.

The Commanders’ exciting rookie class enters the 2024 season, led by quarterback Jayden Daniels, the team’s No. 2 overall pick. The hiring of Thompson is another case where Peters is doing everything possible to help Daniels. Thompson worked with current Washington general manager Lance Newmark in Detroit and is quite familiar with him.

While no one knows how next season will turn out for the Commanders, Thompson’s hiring is another case of Peters and Newmark being ahead of the game in support of Daniels and their rookie class.

Giants’ 2024 preseason schedule officially set

The New York Giants’ 2024 preseason schedule, complete with dates and times, has officially been announced.

Voluntary team activities are winding down and mandatory activities are ramping up. The New York Giants will hold their mandatory minicamp next week, and now they know who they need to prepare for when the preseason starts.

On Friday, the NFL released the 2024 preseason schedule.

The Giants will host the Detroit Lions on August 8 at 7:00 p.m. ET and travel to face the Houston Texans on August 17 at 1:00 p.m. ET before facing the New York Jets on August 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The latter is technically an away game despite the Giants and Jets sharing a stadium.

Detroit will be a formidable foe having gone to the NFC Conference Championship last season, they’ll be out for blood, clawing their way back to earn a shot at the big game. The Texans are in similar shoes, both of these games will be good to gauge the Giants’ ability on the field.

The Jets game, though, is always a rivalry. It doesn’t matter if it’s the preseason, regular season, or postseason, these two teams will leave it all on the field.

Having to face the Lions and Texans will provide Brian Daboll and the rest of the coaching staff with ample opportunity to see what their guys can do against a team that’s proven themselves.

The preseason isn’t about winning, it’s about making sure the guys on the final 53-man roster are the ones who are best suited to the schemes and formats used by coaches. The more tested they are, the better idea the coaches will have of who makes the cut.

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Steelers announce addition of CB Cameron Sutton

The Steelers announced the signing of Cameron Sutton on Tuesday.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced they had officially signed cornerback Cameron Sutton to a one-year contract. In a corresponding roster move, the Steelers released wide receiver Izaiah Gathings to make room on the roster.

Sutton started his career and was at his best with the Steelers. Pittsburgh drafted Sutton in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. Sutton became the Steelers full-time starting cornerback in 2021 and in 2022 was the team’s best corner.

The Detroit Lions signed Sutton as a free agent in the 2023 offseason but there’s no denying he took a step back. But the team is hopeful he will return to form in the system he was so good in just two seasons ago.

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Steelers plan to sign CB Cam Sutton to contract

The Steelers are planning to being back cornerabck Cam Sutton.

Everything old is new again. According to Pittsburgh Steelers beat writer Gerry Dulac, the Pittsburgh Steelers are meeting with former Pittsburgh cornerback Cam Sutton and plan to sign him to a one-year contract at the veteran minimum.

Sutton spent his first six seasons with the Steelers after they selected him in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. Sutton started 56 games with Pittsburgh including every game of the last two seasons. Sutton was the team’s best cornerback on the roster in 2022 and parlayed that into a big free-agent contract with the Detroit Lions.

But after a strong 2023, Sutton was released after some off-field allegations of domestic battery that turned out to be far less serious than first indicated. Sutton and the Steelers have reconnected and if Sutton can play like he has the last three seasons, he completely solidifies the cornerback depth chart.

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