SNEAK A LOOK IN AND SUBSCRIBE NOW McClatchy Media Network component On November 4, 2023, a Saturday This e-Edition 34°, 67°F, 44° Covid-19 Local Sports News Memorials Fortunately Individual Budgeting Purchasing Atlanta Falcons and NFL Players for the Detroit Lions Who Must Improve in the Second Half BY VITO CHIRCO SPORTS ILLUSTRATED NEWS, ANALYSIS, AND MORE ABOUT THE DETROIT LIONS REVISED 11:43 AM ON NOVEMBER 03, 2023 Detroit Lions maven Detroit has had a good start to the 2023 season in many ways. It has won six of its first eight games and holds a commanding lead in the NFC North. However, there are still many players on Dan Campbell’s team who could use an improvement in their second half performance as they head into the bye.
further ado, here are the three members of the Lions’ roster that most need to step up their play the remainder of the ’23 campaign. EDGE Charles Harris Harris hasn’t been the same caliber of EDGE defender since his 7.5-sack, breakout campaign in 2021. He’s recorded a total of just 2.5 sacks since then, including 1.5 this year in seven games. As a result of his subpar efforts in 2023, the seventh-year pro has earned a dismal Pro Football Focus pass-rush grade of 53.1, as well as an overall mark of just 55.7. After eight weeks, Detroit is still in need of a defender capable of complementing the production of Aidan Hutchinson. If Harris can become that player, it would go a long way toward the Lions improving their pass-rushing efforts. WR Jameson Williams Now in his second year and with 10 career games under his belt, the Lions would like to start seeing results from Williams. Yet, the Alabama product – and No. 12 overall pick in the 2022 draft – has still yet to emerge as a dependable member of Detroit’s offense. Through four games this season, he’s hauled in just 40 percent of his targets, recording six catches for 71 yards and a touchdown. The second-year pro is still raw as a route-runner, and drops far too many balls on a regular basis. Subsequently, his only reliable trait at this point is his speed. Until he improves his all-around game and becomes a better pass-catcher, he’ll continue to fail to live up to the billing of a top-12 draft pick. Related: Fact or Fiction: Lions Can Be NFC’s No. 1 Seed LB Jack Campbell For as good as Detroit’s rookie class has been through eight games, it still would benefit from increased production from Campbell. Campbell, the No. 18 overall pick in the 2023 draft, has taken the most lumps of the Lions’ first four picks this past April. He’s struggled both in coverage (42.7 PFF grade) and in getting after the quarterback (48.3 grade), and has earned a PFF overall mark of just 46.3 for his efforts. In order to take the next step as a defense, Detroit will need a lot more production from the rookie in the second half of the season. Copyright ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. All Rights Reserved. This story was originally published November 3, 2023, 8:27 AM. Take Us With You Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. MACON TELEGRAPH APP VIEW NEWSLETTERS SUBSCRIPTIONS Start a Subscription Customer Service eEdition Vacation Hold Pay Your Bill LEARN MORE About Us Contact Us Newsletters Archives Personal Finance ADVERTISING McClatchy Advertising Place an Ad Place a Classified Ad Place an Obituary Staffing Solutions Political | Advocacy Advertising Part of the McClatchy Media Network COPYRIGHT PRIVACY POLICY YOUR PRIVACY CHOICES TERMS OF SERVICE
