The Detroit Lions were one of the top stories in the NFL last season. They turned potential into production as they rose to the top of the NFC North and were able to win two playoff games in the same season for the first time in the Super Bowl era.
Head coach Dan Campbell has built a team that not only plays hard and hustles on an every-down basis, but the Lions have developed into an extremely talented team on both sides of the ball.
The combination of quarterback Jared Goff, running back David Montgomery, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and tight end Sam LaPorta means that the Lions are going to attack with one of the most talented group of skill-position players in the league.
When it comes to defensive players, the Lions are led by edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson and outside linebacker Alex Anzalone. Both are capable of making big plays on a consistent basis.
The Lions also draft cornerback Terrion Arnold in the first round of the draft, and the 6-0, 189-pound cover man from Alabama has the technique, athletic ability and speed to provide an upgrade to the Detroit secondary.
While undrafted free agents have been a way for some teams to add significantly to their talent level in the past, there may be fewer players who can contribute after emerging from that route in the years to come. Fewer underclassmen are being drafted as more student athletes are choosing to stay in school because they can now make a living from NIL — name, image, likeness.
But some solid undrafted rookie free agents remain, and the Lions appear to have found one in linebacker Steele Chambers
Chambers has the athleticism and know-how to make a contribution to Lions defense
As much as the Lions improved last season, they are much more of a finished product on offense than they are on defense.
If Hutchinson and Anzalone can get just a bit more help, there is a chance that the Lions can not only hold on to the division title, but they should be able to make a run at the Super Bowl.
Chambers is not a finished product by any means, but he has a very strong lower half and his technique improved during the season for the Ohio State Buckeyes. The 6-1, 226-pound Chambers moves well, but he needs to learn how to shed his blockers a bit quicker.
If he can do that, he has a chance to make a serious contribution because he reads plays quite well and knows how to find the entry points to get into the backfield to make big plays on a consistent basis. He also has the ability to cover running backs and tight ends in pass coverage. He had 83 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 1 interception last season.
He appears to have the ability to compete on special teams right away while he learns the nuances of the position.
Keep an eye on wide receiver Isaiah Williams
While Chambers should have the best chance of making the team as a rookie free agent, Williams has the skills at the wide receiver position to fit right in for the Lions.
The former Illinois receiver does not impress with his size-speed ratio. He checks in at a 5-9 and 179 points, and many would expect a receiver of that size to be a burner. That does not describe Williams as he runs a 4.63 40. However, Williams is productive and he is coming off a season in which he caught 82 passes for 1,055 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Williams is a battler, and that should impress Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. He can win the battle against bigger and stronger defenders, and that could get him playing time and a surprisingly good working relationship with Goff.
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