Quarterbacks

Joshua Dobbs – (3.6% Owned)

Now that we have a good sample size of his play it’s time to put Dobbs on the radar. Dobbs was impressive in week 4 despite playing a stacked 49ers defense. Sunday was the second time this season he finished with 20+ fantasy points and was inside the weekly top 10 for quarterbacks. Dobbs also gives you the rushing element and already has a rushing touchdown this year. If you need a quarterback, Dobbs is worth a look.

Running Backs

Jaleel McLaughlin – (2.3% Owned)

McLaughlin will be the priority on the waiver wire this week as he filled in well for the injured Javonte Williams. Williams left the matchup with a hip injury and McLaughlin took advantage. He had 104 all-purpose yards and 1 receiving touchdown. If Williams misses time McLaughlin will likely slide into that starting role and the rookie looks to be ready for it.

Wide Receivers

Jameson Williams – (24.2% Owned)

If Williams is somehow still available in your league he is absolutely worth grabbing. Williams had his suspension reduced due to the new NFL betting rules and is immediately eligible to play. His talent is just too good to ignore and he should see plenty of opportunities in the Lions offense that is already thriving. Williams is a gamble but he could really pay off later in the season due to his big play ability.

Tight Ends

Dalton Schultz – (45.3% Owned)

One of the surprises of the early season is how good the Houston Texans offense has looked. Houston has scored 30 points in back-to-back games as C.J. Stroud is coming into his own. Texans tight end Dalton Schultz had been quiet thus far but picked up his first touchdown of the season on Sunday. This was good enough for a top 5 weekly finish as Schultz also had 42 receiving yards. I would still like to see more consistency from him but if you’re thin at the position he is worth picking up.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Jared Goff-led Detroit Lions exhibited the 19th most passing yards and the 17th most passing touchdowns last season. I honestly anticipate that the Lions passing offense can improve next season. With that enunciated, I will untwine three reasons why the Lions passing offense can be successful in 2022.

• Health on the offensive line

The Lions have a very talented offensive line, but numerous vital members of the Lions OL have had injury issues. The Lions LT Taylor Decker missed eight contests last season – after missing one game in the prior three seasons combined. The Lions center Frank Ragnow, who is unequivocally one of the best offensive linemen in the league, sadly missed 13 games last season. It would be an understatement to say Goff will be thankful to have his two potent OL healthy. It would an understatement to say Goff is sitting behind a monster offensive line unit as a whole – as PFF ranked the Lions OL the third-best OL in the league.

• Jameson Williams

The Detroit Lions rookie WR Jameson Williams was undoubtedly the top WR in the draft process until his unfortunate ACL injury occurred in the National Championship game. Well, the Lions still believe they were able to find a gem in him with their 12th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Per PFF, he hauled in a record 12 receptions on deep balls where he was at least a step ahead of the defender. He registered 175 yards and 2 touchdowns in the SEC game and then 1,572 yards w/ 15 touchdowns in 2021. Williams, also known as the second-fastest WR on Madden, is clearly a darkhorse OROY candidate heading into 2022.

• Healthy T.J. Hockenson

The Lions most talented offensive player is arguably T.J. Hockenson. He impressively earned a Pro Bowl berth in 2020 (723 yards and six touchdowns). Although, his 2021 campaign wasn’t nearly as sexy (as he recorded 586 and four touchdowns). There is a large reason why Hockenson was less efficient in his junior season than his sophomore season: inability to stay on the field. Hockenson missed five games last season. Per Fantasy Pros, a contract extension for Hockenson is a priority for the Lions.

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By: Jake Rajala

After the Detroit Lions displayed one wide receiver with 600+ receiving yards in 2021, the Lions were well aware that they needed to improve their wide receiver group this off-season. The team that is patient with their QB room sought out DJ Chark in free agency and then drafted Jameson Williams in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

The veteran Chark is healthy and flat-out underrated at this stage in his career. Side Lion Report named Chark the Lions best move of the off-season. He recorded 1,008 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns in his sophomore season, which led him on a trip to Hawaii in January. Unfortunately, he only played in four games last season, as he suffered a broken ankle in Week 4 against the Bengals. The motivated and talented WR that suffered from Jaguars fever opted to take a one-year deal worth $10 million dollars with the Lions.

The former Bama WR is a freak talent, but he is still nursing an ACL injury. According to The Athletic, Williams is unlikely to be ready for the start of training camp. Of course, Williams tore his ACL in the National Championship.

Chark may be one of the NFL’s most underrated WRs, but the Lions most underrated wideout is unequivocally Josh Reynolds. Reynolds quietly had 618 yards in 2020 and then hauled in 396 yards last season. Per SI, Reynolds stated in reference to the Lions offense, “We’re going to be explosive”.

The new weapons (and the second-year Lions WR) will look to help Amon St. Brown (912 yards in his rookie season) and T.J. Hockenson (Pro Bowler in 2020) dismantle big NFC opponents like Arizona on a frequent basis next season. Perhaps the collection of two straight superb off-seasons on offense can help the Lions have an offensive turnaround from 2021 to 2022 similar to the offensive turnaround that Cincy had from 2020 to 2021.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Detroit Lions have been hungry and playing with a ton of energy in OTAs thus far. The hopeful fan base in Detroit should feel delighted knowing that their beloved second overall pick Aidan Hutchinson has been standing out in OTAs as of late. Per Detroit Free Press, Hutch and the rest of the Lions top hunters in their DL have been impressive. Interestingly, Chris Burke (who covers the Lions for The Athletic) has mentioned that the Lions top draft pick has also lined up at the DT spot.

It’s amazing that the Aidan Hutchinson-led pass rush has been booming in 2022 because they didn’t have an ounce of pass rush talent last season (30th in sacks). It also wouldn’t be a surprise if DET targeted Everson Griffen, Justin Houston, or Carlos Dunlap this summer.

The other Lions first-round pick Jameson Williams has been easy to spot out, as well. Per Michigan Live, Campbell stated, “We put him out there on the grass and that’s his domain. He’s very much engaged. You ask questions. He’s got the script. He’s on it. In meetings, he’s very much engaged. He asks good questions”.

Williams and D’Andre Swift (four missed games last season), who also has hit the ground running in camp, will be important weapons for Jared Goff. The Lions may not have a turnaround in a way that Cincy transitioned from 2020 to 2021, but they can significantly improve their offensive firepower and ability to harass A-Rod in 2022.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Detroit Lions really struck gold on the first day of the NFL draft. Dan Campbell opted to beef up his DL with the draft pick of Aidan Hutchinson second overall and then Motor City welcomed the arrival of wide receiver Jameson Williams 12th overall. It may have been easy for DET to land Hutchinson, but they did a fantastic job of sticking to their guns with the selection of the former Michigan Wolverine. Furthermore, they managed to grab a blistering fast WR in Jameson Williams. If the Lions want to invest in a potential starting QB for the future, they may be able to still land a QB (Malik Willis, Matt Corral) in the second round.

With that enunciated, the question is: what exactly are the draft grades for the Lions first-round draft picks? Well, I’m going to outline the grades for the two new Detroit lions players.

Aidan Hutchinson: A-

I love that the Lions didn’t panic and pick a QB second overall (or 12th overall) in the draft. After the Lions selected Penei Sewell in last year’s draft, the Lions made the right choice in landing Hutchinson in this year’s draft. He’s arguably the most talented player in the entire draft class and he will really help his DL harass Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, and Justin Fields. If he can have similar production to the likes of Nick Bosa (a common pro comparison), the Lions will have a decade-like talent at their edge rusher spot.

Jameson Williams: B

I believe that Jameson Williams will be a quality player for the Lions. Although I’m not convinced that Williams is as talented all-around as Chris Olave. William’s latest still injury shouldn’t hold him back from an excellent pro career. He might seem like an excellent partner for the gutsy Hutchinson, but I am not the biggest fan of DET picking a WR right now. I would have preferred to see the Lions select the ferocious defender Kyle Hamilton and then the Lions could really build a defense similar to the Bears defense that carried Nick Foles to the playoffs.

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By: Jake Rajala

The 2020 and 2021 MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers is walking through the smoke as he returns to haunt the rest of the NFL on Lambeau field. It’s time for Matt LaFleur, Rodgers, and the Pack to come out guns blazing in the final years of his Hall of Fame career. The grand focus of the Packers offseason now arguably lies in the NFL draft. They will look to add a prospect that can help them in the future and NOW. With that said, I’m going to untwine a Packers mock draft and project who the reigning NFC North champions could sign.

Round 1: Jameson Williams – WR – Alabama (Trade up)

The Alabama WR Jameson Williams is a flat-out playmaker and I believe he will be one of the biggest steals in the 2022 NFL Draft. The insane 40 times by Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson shadow the fastest elite draft WR Jameson Williams.

Todd McShay projects the Bills to ink Williams, but I could see the Packers moving up to select the productive (1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns) and shifty wideout. The Saints traded up to select the deep-threat WR Brandin Cooks for Drew Brees and I’d love to see the Packers be aggressive to land Williams.

Round 2: Carson Strong – QB – Nevada

The pick of Carson Strong might break a few TVs in the Green Bay area. Nonetheless, I’d really like to see the Packers pick up Strong, especially after drafting wideout in round one. The Cardinals (Josh Rosen, Kyler Murray) and Commanders (RG3, Kirk Cousins) once took multiple high draft pick QBs in the same or nearby years. The Saints also brought in Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston for competition behind Drew Brees.

Strong could beat out Love to be the future replacement and potential Pro Bowl QB for the Packers and they could trade Love, too. If Love is ahead of Strong and potentially a stud in relief of Rodgers in an unexpected circumstance, they could still trade Love (or Strong) for an impressive deal.

Round 3: Marcus Jones – CB/KR – Houston

The athletic freak Marcus Jones would fill a CB needy spot and be an x-factor in cold playoff games from the kick return spot. Jones was well regarded as the most versatile player in CFB. He can play the slot against Cooper Kupp and the outside against Michael Thomas.

He doesn’t have a scary ceiling with his size and top-end speed, but he can make plays with his agility and sturdy catching ability. He reminds me of Patrick Robinson, who was a star slot CB with the Eagles and Saints. Jones is expected to be picked in round 3 and he would really be the perfect fit for the Packers.

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