As the world slowly begins to return to a sense of normalcy, NFL teams are preparing themselves for the start of the season. Players arrive at organized team workouts looking to get better and prepare for the upcoming season. These players are considered leaders on and off the field. When the team needs a play to be made, these are the players that teammates, coaches, and fans expect to shine big when the lights are shining the brightest. Here we look at the three faces of the 2021 Detroit Lions.
Faces of the 2021 Detroit Lions
Jared Goff
Jared Goff is now the face of the Lions after being sent to Detroit in a blockbuster trade at the start of the year. The trade involving Goff being sent from the Rams in exchange for Matthew Stafford and three high draft picks. The Rams were looking for an upgrade at quarterback, and Matthew Stafford was looking for a fresh start. A “winner” and “loser” of the trade has yet to be determined.
The move from Los Angeles to Detroit is a blessing in disguise for Goff. The Lions now have the opportunity to truly build their offense around his strengths. In college, Goff played in the Air Raid offense which was played exclusively from the shotgun. This offense allowed Goff to dissect defenses with some distance between himself and the line of scrimmage. The Lions have the chance to do something similar as they continue to rebuild this talent-depleted roster. As of this moment, this team has more holes than any other in the league, even the New York Jets.
TJ Hockenson
TJ Hockenson was a first-round pick for the Lions back in the 2019 NFL Draft. He is easily the best offensive weapon for Goff and the Lions. Hockenson may also be the only credible receiving in Detroit. He should expect to be called on early and often as both he and Goff familiarize themselves with a new offensive scheme.
Hockenson is an above-average blocker in the run and pass game. It is an underrated skill set for the position that is often overlooked in this pass-heavy league. He also runs crisp routes and has strong hands to bring down contested catches. While Hockenson has not lived up to the billing of a tight end drafted that high, you can see that the skillset is there for him to develop into a superstar player in this league.
Frank Ragnow
Last, but not least, is Frank Ragnow. He is currently the best player on the Lions and thus a face of the franchise. Ragnow is a top-tier center that is too often overlooked due to the ineptitude of the franchise. Many fans in Detroit claim him as the best center in the league, and they could make a decent case. It may be a little premature, but he is only in his fourth season. There is still so much room for growth and development. Lions fans can look forward to Ragnow being around for a long time. There is no chance the organization would not re-sign him when the time comes, right?
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
