Meet The Detroit Lions: Weapons

With training camp just three short weeks away, the NFL season is creeping up on fans wildly fast. Even more exciting for Detroit fans, the Lions have a special year of training camp ahead. HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ will feature the Lions this season as the documentary crew will deep dive into the team’s training camp and players’ lives. The show is an excellent way to meet the players on the featured team. But for the superfans who can’t wait until the show premiers on August 1st, I’m putting together a series of articles to help get to know the team. 

The Detroit Lions are widely considered a team on the rise. Even more enticing, the Detroit Lions has the 5th easiest schedule in the league, according to The Athletic. For the first time in quite some years, this doesn’t feel like the same old Lions. The team is young, hungry, and ready to pounce. You’ll learn about all of these players during ‘Hard Knocks,’ but if you can’t just wait, here are the Lions’ offensive weapons for the 2022 season. 

Note

Before we go any further, it’s important to know this. The receiving corps is going to look completely different than it did a year ago for the Detroit Lions. Bringing in two new guys to play big roles on the team, along with a sophomore WR who emerged at the end of last season, it’s hard to really predict who will be the true WR1 this season, especially with Jared Goff throwing the pigskin. For now, I’ll list my prediction. However, all three are completely capable of claiming the alpha receiver role. That, or we end up having consistent threats across the board. 

WR1-A: Jamison Williams

The 12th overall pick out of Alabama, Jamison Williams was undoubtedly the best wide receiver prospect in college until he suffered a torn ACL. Brad Holmes, the Detroit Lions’ General Manager, loved him enough to use the Rams picks (acquired in the Stafford trade) to trade up and get him. The timeline for his return is still known, but it’s safe to assume he probably will not be suiting Honolulu Blue the first few weeks of the season. 

With that being said, when Williams does make his return to the field, the expectations should be high. The way first-round receivers have been panning out immediately (Jamar Chase, Justin Jefferson, etc.), the hope is Williams hits the ground running.  

Because of his injury, Williams did not participate in the combine. However, advanced stats from an Alabama game have him clocking 23 mph on a 90+ yard TD. The fastest time in the NFL last season? 22.13 mph by Colts running-back Jonathan Taylor. There are plenty of fast guys in the NFL. But Williams knows exactly how to use his speed and doesn’t slow down when changing direction, giving him a little bit of freak.

He was drafted to be a superstar and nothing less. Inside, outside, deep-threat, screens. He should be able to do it all. 

WR1-B: DJ Chark

DJ Chark was signed in free agency to a one year 10 million dollar deal. Chark previously spent four seasons with the Miami Dolphins, where he would be named a Pro-Bowler once in 2019. In that season, Chark went for over 1000 yards and averaged 13+ yards per reception. Last season, Chark played just four games before fracturing his ankle. The former LSU receiver is labeled somewhat injury prone. 

At 6’4″ and 200 pounds, Chark is an outside the numbers go-get-it type of receiver. He’s used in big plays down the field. Throwing 50/50 balls is far from Jared Goff’s strong suit, but having a guy like Chark streaking down the sideline will definitely help him out. 

WR1-C: Aman-Ra St. Brown

Aman-Ra, meaning Sun God in Egyptian, finished out his rookie season playing his best football yet. The former University of Southern California receiver plays in the slot and has deadly run-after-the-catch ability. He looks small on the field, but St. Brown stands at 6 feet and weighs just less than 200 pounds. 

The last few weeks of the season, St. Brown was giving  Detroit Lions fans Golden Tate flashbacks. The quickness and ability to get open in short-route situations is lethal. On top of all of that, the 112th overall pick ranked first in drop rate amongst rookies, and ninth in the NFL in drop rate, according to PFF. He also ranked second amongst rookies in catches. 

RB1: Deandre Swift

In a pass-heavy league, Deandre Swift has looked all the part of a back who can run between the tackles and open in the passing game. Swift’s swifty agility and powerful lower body make him nearly impossible to tackle in open space. With a QB like Jared Goff, who needs to have useful safety valves, Swift is going to prove to be as valuable as ever this year. 

In his career, Swift averages 4.3 yards per carry and 7.5 yards per reception. This will be his third season out of Georgia. 

RB2: Jamaal Williams

If you don’t already know who this is, I promise you’ll find out during ‘Hard Knocks.’ One of the funniest personalities in the NFL, Jamaal Willaims serves as a great RB2 for the Lions. 

Previously playing a long tenure with the Packers, Williams joined Detroit last off-season and was given a bigger workload than people expected. Williams is no All-Pro back, but in a league where running backs get injured so frequently, he is a very valuable piece to the roster. As much as Lions fans want to see Swift as much as possible, taking some of the workload off him will decrease his injury odds. 

Williams is what you would call a power back. 4th and inches, he’s getting the ball and looking to power his way through the line of scrimmage to pick up a few yards. He’s not one to make people miss, but he’ll certainly run you over if you’re not careful. If you ever see him in a third and long situation, he’s probably pass blocking. 

TE1: TJ Hockenson

The former Iowa Hawkeye (the real TE University) has had a good, not great, start to his career. Undoubtedly he’s a top-10 tight end in the league. However, after a promising rookie season, many hoped his sophomore campaign would prove him to be one of the top couple TEs in the NFL. He was selected to a Pro Bowl, but mostly due to the lack of TEs in the NFC. Hockenson’s second and third seasons in the NFL were essentially the same. Lions fans want him to be elite. But there’s a chance he’s just good. 

However, good is a good thing. Hockenson is huge and can use his size to shield off DBs down the field. He’s often too quick for linebackers as well. On the line, Hockenson does an excellent job moving bodies out of the way for our RBs. The biggest hole in his game is his run-after-catch ability. 

Conclusion

The Lions have a much better offense than people give them credit for. There may not be any superstars, but there are a lot of good players. Additionally, the offensive line is amongst the top in the NFL. Follow me on Twitter for more Lions and other sports info at @BosscherBen. And stay tuned to gridironheroics.com as more ‘Meet the Lions’ pieces will be coming out. You’ll also see them posted on my Twitter.