Lions' 2023 Studs and Duds
The Detroit Lions enjoyed new levels of success under third-year coach Dan Campbell. Despite a disappointing end, the team made history in 2023 and came up just short of its first ever Super Bowl appearance.
A number of players took big steps forward as the team battled its way to the NFC Championship game, while others took steps back.
Here are studs and duds from the 2023 season.
STUD: QB Jared Goff
After a strong finish to the 2022 season, Goff had begun to silence the doubters regarding his longevity with the Lions. After his showing this year, there are no doubts that he deserves to lead the team into the future.
He's enjoyed a revival the last two seasons working with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Together, the two have unlocked his strengths and utilized them in a way that makes the Lions' offense among the best in the league.
Goff demonstrated masterful control of the offense, but had his slip-ups. He endured a rough stretch against divisional opponents from Week 11 through Week 14, but rebounded beginning with a lights-out showing against Denver in Week 15.
Goff finished second in the league in passing yards and fourth in passing touchdowns in a historic 2023 campaign. He led the organization to its first division title since 1993, won multiple playoff games for the first time in franchise history and guided them to the precipice of the Super Bowl.
DUD: CB Cam Sutton
There was plenty of fanfare surrounding Sutton's signing, but he struggled as the team's top cornerback working against some of the league's best receivers.
In particular, he was gashed late in the season. Lining up against Justin Jefferson, Ceedee Lamb, Puka Nacua and Mike Evans were tough assignments, ones that he couldn't pass in 2023.
Against Lamb in Week 17, he allowed seven receptions for 96 yards to Lamb. The following week, he surrendered four catches for 70 yards to Jefferson. In the NFC Wild Card Round, he allowed Nacua to notch two catches for 60 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown.
Sutton was solid with the Pittsburgh Steelers prior to coming to Detroit, so there is hope that he will bounce back in 2024. However, the team will likely address the position once again this offseason after he struggled to showcase shut-down abilities.
STUD: OT Penei Sewell
Sewell established himself as one of the league's best offensive tackles in his third season. He was an All-Pro selection for the first time in his career and he served as one of the anchors for a dominant offensive line.
He finished as Pro Football Focus' highest-graded offensive tackle with a 92.8 overall offensive grade. He allowed just one sack and 18 total pressures.
The Oregon product was a force in the run game. He demonstrated an uncanny ability to block in the open field, using his size and speed to dominate opponents.
Detroit will certainly pick up his fifth-year option this offseason, and he will soon command an extension that may reset the market for offensive tackles.
DUD: LG Jonah Jackson
This season was the last on Jackson's rookie deal, and his performance took a hit. It didn't help matters that he was forced to miss six games with injuries, including the NFC Championship game.
His PFF run-blocking grade was the lowest of his career. Additionally, he allowed 27 pressures this season. He allowed three pressures in each of Detroit's first three games and surrendered four working against Dallas in Week 17.
Jackson's contract situation will be among the most intriguing for the Lions this offseason. He has been a key part of the team's core up front, but his asking price could wind up being too high for a team that must allocate money to pay its young stars in the future.
STUD: TE Sam LaPorta
When Detroit selected LaPorta 34th overall, no one could've imagined the type of impact he'd have on the team's offense. While his skill as a receiver was known, he wound up having a profound impact on the offense.
It was a record-setting campaign, as he set a new league best for receptions by a rookie tight end. He also came close to the rookie tight end records for receiving yards and touchdowns.
In all, he had 889 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. For all his skill as a pass-catcher, he also proved to be ahead of the curve as a blocker and made several key blocks near the goal line to spring touchdown runs.
DUD: CB Jerry Jacobs
Jacobs earned the opportunity to be the starter at cornerback opposite Sutton in training camp and had an up and down start to the season. He struggled against Seattle in Week 2, but bounced back with two interceptions against Green Bay two weeks later.
However, things went south as the season progressed. He allowed 101 yards against Green Bay on Thanksgiving and surrendered a touchdown in his direction in four of his last five starts.
Jacobs was replaced in the starting lineup by Khalil Dorsey and later Kindle Vildor beginning with the Week 15 game against Denver. He remained active in a special teams role before suffering an injury that ended his season prior to the Wild Card Round.
The Arkansas State product is a restricted free agent, so his future with the organization is unknown.
STUD: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
St. Brown took another step toward full-fledged stardom with an exceptional third season. He met his goals for the season, as he admitted that he hoped to surpass 1,500 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.
In the end, he recorded 1,515 yards and 10 scores. The result was his first career All-Pro nod. He established himself amongst the best receivers in the league.
Despite being undersized compared to other top players at the position, his reliable hands and crisp route-running paired with an insatiable work ethic have built him into one of the top options.
DUD: DE Charles Harris
There was optimism that Harris would have a bounce-back season after dealing with injuries last year. However, he couldn't find the same groove that made him a breakout payer in 2021.
The veteran notched just 1.5 sacks in 2023, with 13 tackles and two for loss. He had just an 8.7 percent pass-rush win rate, per PFF, and was a healthy scratch during the postseason.
An unrestricted free agent to be, Harris is another player with an uncertain future with the organization.
STUD: DE Aidan Hutchinson
Despite a mid-season lull, Hutchinson took another positive step working on the edge for the Lions' defense. He led the team with 11.5 sacks, fueled by a superb stretch late in the year.
After notching just two sacks in a 10-game stretch from weeks 6-16, he finished the regular season with back-to-back multi-sack games. The heat didn't stop there, however, as he notched a sack in each of the Lions' first two playoff games.
He leads the league in pressures with 121 despite seeing multiple blockers in his efforts to get to the passer. The 2022 second overall pick has established himself as a noteworthy rusher and opponents have taken notice.
DUD: DT Levi Onwuzurike
Onwuzurike remains a work in progress after three NFL seasons. Hopes were higher for the defensive tackle after he returned to full health. Yet, he was unable to make a solid impact and wound up a healthy scratch at points during the season.
The third-year defender finished the regular season with just five tackles, one for loss and one sack in 10 games. It will be an urgent fourth year for Onwuzurike, who has yet to live up to his billing as a second-round pick.
Best of the rest: DT Alim McNeill, RB Jahmyr Gibbs, LB Alex Anzalone, RB David Montgomery, C Frank Ragnow.
