The 2023 NFL Season is here, and the Music City Drive In is getting you ready. Check back each day from now until September 3 as we look at each team and make award and playoff predictions. Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments.

No team closed harder in 2022 than the Detroit Lions. After getting off to a 1-6 start, the Lions went 8-2 to close the season. That culminated in a victory in Green Bay in the final game of the regular season. The Lions finished 9-8, second in the NFC North and just out of the playoffs. The team hopes to build on that momentum heading into 2023.

Off-Season Changes

The Lions will be building on that 2022 success with some big changes on offense. In the receiving group, D.J. Chark left after one season with the team. He’s now part of the attack with the Carolina Panthers. But the biggest change came in the backfield. Last season, the Lions were led by the two-headed monster of D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams. Both are now gone. Swift was traded to the Eagles, while Williams signed with the New Orleans Saints.

But a focus for the Lions this off-season was weapons on offense and weapons on defense. In the secondary, the Lions brought in cornerbacks Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Mosely, signing safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson as well. In the draft, the team added linebacker Jack Campbell and safety Brian Branch.

On offense, the Lions brought back guard Graham Glasgow to strengthen the offensive line and added veteran receiver Marvin Jones, Jr., another former Lion. The team also added veteran running back David Montgomery, who came over from the Bears. In the draft the team grabbed Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker and Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta. But the biggest pick was nabbing running back Jahmyr Gibbs with the No. 12 overall pick. At Alabama, Gibbs rushed for 926 yards and seven touchdowns, catching 44 passes for 444 yards and three more touchdowns in 2022. He figures to be a big part of the Lions’ attack.

Fantasy Impact

At quarterback, the Lions are led by steady veteran Jared Goff. He was QB10 in 2022 and could be a low-end QB1 again. In the backfield, the tandem of Gibbs and Montgomery gives the Lions some firepower. Williams racked up 17 rushing touchdowns and finished as RB13 a year ago. Montgomery could have RB3 value as a pounder, while I like Gibbs and his explosive ability as an RB2.

At receiver, it starts with Amon-Ra St. Brown. He saw 146 targets, catching 106 passes for 1,161 yards and six touchdowns. That was good enough to finish as WR7 last season. I think he’s a Top 10 option at receiver again. Behind him are some questions. Jameson Williams was the Lions’ top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, but he’s suspended for the first six games. Jones and Josh Reynolds bring veteran experience, but both feel more like supporting players. And LaPorta is an intriguing rookie, but it typically takes some time for tight ends to reach their peak value. I’m holding Williams and LaPorta but I’m not planning to rely on either as a weekly start in 2023.

Prediction

I like the Lions and the energy and roster the team has built. They ended 2022 on fire and I think that carries over to 2023. The Lions are my pick to win the NFC North and make a playoff run.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.