{"id":11134,"date":"2023-01-26T12:16:43","date_gmt":"2023-01-26T12:16:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/atswins.ai\/blog\/3-detroit-lions-who-must-step-up-for-the-2023-nfl-season\/"},"modified":"2023-01-26T12:16:43","modified_gmt":"2023-01-26T12:16:43","slug":"3-detroit-lions-who-must-step-up-for-the-2023-nfl-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/atswins.ai\/blog\/3-detroit-lions-who-must-step-up-for-the-2023-nfl-season\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Detroit Lions who must step up for the 2023 NFL season"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> [ad_1]<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div wp_automatic_readability=\"127.24986331329\"><!-- tml-version=\"2\" --><\/p>\n<p>The Lions experienced a dramatic turnaround during the 2022 season. <\/p>\n<p>Dan Campbell&#8217;s team went just 3-13-1 in 2021, but started last season with a dismal 1-6 record. Detroit then won eight of their last ten games to end the campaign at 9-8. <\/p>\n<p>To take the next step as an organization in 2023, Detroit will need to make a concerted effort to upgrade the team&#8217;s defense this offseason, both through free agency and the NFL Draft. <\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-c\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-0\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-0\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-0\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline not-size-b not-size-c not-size-d\"\/>\n<p>We also need different players to take a step in their respective careers.<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s take a look at three players who need to step up next season.<\/p>\n<p><strong>WR Jameson Williams <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Next season, expectations for the 12th overall pick in 2022 will increase. <\/p>\n<p>And this is especially true if the Lions decide not to re-sign fellow wideout DJ Chark this offseason. <\/p>\n<p>Williams spent most of his rookie season treating a torn ACL and didn&#8217;t make his NFL debut until Week 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. <\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-c\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-1\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-1\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-1\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-b not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-0\"\/>\n<p><strong>MORE: Lions tight end shines without TJ Hockenson<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>During the season, Alabama&#8217;s product had only one catch in total (a 41-yard touchdown in Week 14 against the Vikings). And he scored his carry on his 40-yard end-around against the Bears in Week 17.<\/p>\n<p>We hope Williams will forge a stronger relationship with Detroit signal-caller Jared Goff in 2023.<\/p>\n<p><strong>EDGE Josh Pascal<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Pascal is another player in the Lions&#8217; 2022 rookie class and will need to step up his game in his second season in the league.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-c\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-2\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-2\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-2\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-b not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-1\"\/>\n<p>Fellow first-year EDGE defenders Aidan Hutchinson and James Huston seemed to transition seamlessly into the Pro ranks, but Pascal certainly had his fair share of struggles.<\/p>\n<p>First of all, the Kentucky product underwent offseason sports hernia surgery and wasn&#8217;t able to make his NFL debut until Week 7 against Dallas.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-3\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-b not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-2\"\/>\n<p>In fact, the 2022 second-round pick (46th overall) didn&#8217;t record his first career tackle and sack until Week 17.  It became Pascal&#8217;s coming out party on the NFL stage.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-c\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-3\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-3\"\/>\n<p>Moving into the 2023 campaign, Pascal is expected to get quarterbacks more consistently. will step out<\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-4\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-b not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-3\"\/>\n<div class=\"m-detail--body-item m-detail--body-item-inline\">\n<figure class=\"l-inline tml-image m-detail--tml-image--inline\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" wp_automatic_readability=\"1\"><phoenix-picture><a><picture class=\"is-waiting-to-load\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1240px) 700px, (min-width: 675px) 620px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_380\/MTkzODQxMzMyOTI4NjUyNzg0\/paschal5.webp 380w, https:\/\/www.si.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_620\/MTkzODQxMzMyOTI4NjUyNzg0\/paschal5.webp 620w, https:\/\/www.si.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700\/MTkzODQxMzMyOTI4NjUyNzg0\/paschal5.webp 700w, https:\/\/www.si.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_1080\/MTkzODQxMzMyOTI4NjUyNzg0\/paschal5.webp 1080w\"><source sizes=\"(min-width: 1240px) 700px, (min-width: 675px) 620px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_380\/MTkzODQxMzMyOTI4NjUyNzg0\/paschal5.jpg 380w, https:\/\/www.si.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_620\/MTkzODQxMzMyOTI4NjUyNzg0\/paschal5.jpg 620w, https:\/\/www.si.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700\/MTkzODQxMzMyOTI4NjUyNzg0\/paschal5.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.si.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_1080\/MTkzODQxMzMyOTI4NjUyNzg0\/paschal5.jpg 1080w\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"m-detail--tml-image m-image\" alt=\"Pascal 5\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700\/MTkzODQxMzMyOTI4NjUyNzg0\/paschal5.jpg\" height=\"720\" width=\"1080\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" itemprop=\"contentUrl url\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/phoenix-picture><!-- disableImageMeta is needed to prevent duplicate rendering of the image meta.--><!-- Duplicate rendering can occur because we have moved the image metadata outside of--><!-- the .m-detail-header--container. The original image metadata in tmlImage is needed--><!-- for the InContent detail header which renders when the media size is inline or breakout.--><figcaption wp_automatic_readability=\"2\">\n<p class=\"tml-image--attribution\" itemprop=\"author\"><span>\u00a9 Jun-Hoo Han \/ USA TODAY NETWORK<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>RB Dandle Swift <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As has been the case throughout his NFL career, Swift showed glimpses of his electric playmaking abilities last season.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-c\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-4\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-4\"\/>\n<p>He kicked off his 22-year campaign with a bang, rushing 15 times for a career-high 144 yards and scoring a touchdown in Week 1 against the NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles. .<\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-5\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-b not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-4\"\/>\n<p>However, his third-year back was hit in the aforementioned season opener, suffering a high ankle sprain in the first half.<\/p>\n<p>Swift&#8217;s effectiveness waned, and after returning from injury against Miami in Week 8, he endured a five-game stretch, running just 20 yards in a single game. selection (35th overall) also amassed 2.65 yards of carry.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-c\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-5\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-5\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-6\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-b not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-5\"\/>\n<p>And in the process, Jamal Williams surpassed Swift to become the number one running back on the Lions&#8217; depth chart. <\/p>\n<p>Now, Swift&#8217;s future at Motown is in doubt, with Detroit having until May 1 to decide whether to go with his fifth-year rookie option.<\/p>\n<p>Whether or not Lions general manager Brad Holmes takes the option, it&#8217;s great to see Swift fit for a full season of games in 2023.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-c\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-6\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-6\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-7\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-b not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-6\"\/><\/div>\n<p>[ad_2]<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/__i\/rss\/rd\/articles\/CBMiPWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnNpLmNvbS9uZmwvbGlvbnMvbmV3cy9saW9ucy13aG8tbXVzdC1zdGVwLXVwLTIwMjPSAUJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zaS5jb20vbmZsL2xpb25zLy5hbXAvbmV3cy9saW9ucy13aG8tbXVzdC1zdGVwLXVwLTIwMjM?oc=5\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[ad_1] The Lions experienced a dramatic turnaround during the 2022 season. Dan Campbell&#8217;s team went just 3-13-1 in 2021, but started last season with a<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11135,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11134","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-example-3","two-columns"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/atswins.ai\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/williams5.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/atswins.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11134","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/atswins.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/atswins.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/atswins.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/atswins.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11134"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/atswins.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11134\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/atswins.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11135"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/atswins.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11134"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/atswins.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11134"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/atswins.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11134"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}