This is Part 1 of the Free Press’ “Five most important players” series, in which we’ll take a look at the x-factors for the six major beats. Freep Lions beat writer Dave Birkett consulted on this list.

Starting this series with a look at the Detroit Lions is an interesting challenge. That’s because there are countless important players on the roster who could be included. It didn’t happen overnight, but Lions general manager Brad Holmes has built a roster that is now good enough to compete, with key pieces all over the field.

The Lions won eight of their final 10 games during the 2022 season, including a victory over the Green Bay Packers, ending their longtime, er, relationship with Aaron Rodgers.

But that’s in the past. Now it’s about living up to those expectations.

Let’s start by clarifying something: The most important players aren’t necessarily the best players, so a player left off the list isn’t “snubbed” — there were just five more important players.

OPINION:Detroit Lions’ Jameson Williams needs to grow up fast and apologize to Jared Goff

Although the Lions had a strong offseason, adding a lot of players in the NFL draft and free agency who should make an immediate impact, a lot of the key figures for 2023 will be players on last year’s team.

And that’s not counting the non-players who will be key. Both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will need to have good years. Johnson has an opportunity to prove that last season was not a fluke and that he’s worthy of an NFL head-coaching gig. Meanwhile, Glenn, who was on the hot seat early in the season as the Lions struggled to get stops, needs to show he’s the right man for the job. If both coaches prove themselves this season, it’ll put the Lions that are on the field in position to succeed.

Okay, so we’re breaking our own rules, by not sticking to just one player here. And that’s the exact reason it needs to be on the list.

The Lions signed Michael Badgley (aka “The Money Badger”) in Week 5 of the 2022 season and Badgley was relatively effective, hitting 24 of 28 field goal attempts and all 33 extra points.

But heading into this offseason, it seems very much like an open competition.

On Thursday, the Lions acquired kicker Riley Patterson from the Jacksonville Jaguars for a conditional 2026 seventh-round draft pick.

That means it’s now a three-way kicking competition in Detroit, as Patterson will join Badgley and Parker Romo — a Virginia Tech product who made the All-XFL squad this spring — in the race.

The Lions figure to be in a lot of close games next season, and the NFL is made for parity. As a good team that wants to be great, those field goals and extra points along the way could be the difference.

But … to paraphrase the old saying: If you have three kickers, do you really have one?

The Lions will definitely hope the race figures itself out. Because good kickers are like good referees. The less you have to talk about them, the better job they’re probably doing.

Already a fan favorite and productive player as a rookie, the Lions will need Aidan Hutchinson to find more consistency in year two.

The former Michigan standout dominated at times and turned in some big plays. But he struggled to produce on a regular basis. He had an impressive 9½ sacks as a rookie, but more than half (five) came in just two games, against the Washington Commanders in Week 2 and the Green Bay Packers in Week 18. Conversely, he had 10 games last year without a sack and six without even a quarterback hurry.

At times, it felt like Hutchinson was one-dimensional, and offensive tackles would intentionally allow him to speed rush on the outside, knowing that he likely would not cut back inside and wouldn’t reach the quarterback.

Still, Hutchinson brings a play-making juice that few players have. It’s what made him one of the rare defensive players named a Heisman Trophy finalist. He proved he can do it on the NFL level as well, notching three interceptions and two fumble recoveries in 2022.

As noted, the Lions will likely be in a lot of close games this season. Hutchinson’s ball-hawk skills could swing some games.

But the best teams in the NFL have elite pass rushes. The Lions need consistent pressure from the defensive line. And Hutchinson is their best chance to have that.

The first solo newcomer on this list, Sutton will be vital in the secondary.

The Lions’ defense struggled last season, ranking last in yards allowed per game, but the secondary was particularly weak. In 2022, the Lions allowed 245.8 passing yards per game, third-worst in the NFL. Only the Minnesota Vikings (265.6) and Tennessee Titans (274.8) were worse.

Some of the Lions’ issues were related to an inconsistent pass rush, but the secondary was equally unreliable — and it’s clear the front office felt the same way.

After trading 2020 first-round pick Jeff Okudah to the Atlanta Falcons, the Lions handed Sutton a three-year, $33 million contract (with $22.5 million guaranteed) to leave the Pittsburgh Steelers and come to Detroit. They also gave former Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and former San Francisco 49ers cornerback Emmanuel Moseley one-year deals and added Alabama safety Brian Branch in April’s draft.

Moseley is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in October, placing even more pressure on Sutton to deliver early and often.

His former position coach in Pittsburgh said Sutton “might be the smartest player I ever coached in all my years,” and the Lions will need that to help fix their 32nd-ranked defense.

All those additions, plus getting Tracy Walker III back from injury, should give the Lions depth at safety.

After making a strong investment, the Lions will need Sutton to deliver at cornerback, as well.

No. 2: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown