Dynasty Capsule: Detroit Lions

As part of the premium content package, we’re again unveiling dynasty capsules for every team in the NFL leading up to free agency and the NFL Draft. This year, we’re also going to do a follow-up on all the teams after all the free agency and NFL Draft movement to assess the impact of any players teams have gained or lost. Since these capsules are always done as a simple snapshot in time, we figured that was the best way to tackle the off-season and provide ultimate value for our subscribers. All in all, we’ll have close to 500 player profiles found in these capsules over the off-season.

One of the NFL’s most disappointing teams in 2012, the Detroit Lions turned a 10–6 record into a 4–12 mark with nearly the same exact team. Many expect improvement in 2013, so let’s examine why in this edition of the DLF Dynasty Capsule.

Quarterbacks

Matthew Stafford

When entering your fifth NFL season, experts usually have a good idea of what a player is, rather than what he can become. However, in the case of Stafford, you can’t be sure yet. After two injury plagued seasons, the former Georgia Bulldog gave the Lions a season comparable to the likes of Dan Marino and Drew Brees in 2011. A season later, his yardage totals stayed high, but his touchdown passes declined by more than half (41:20), while his team watched its record fall from 10–6 to 4–12.

The never ending debate in Detroit asks which player makes the other as good as they are. Does Stafford make one of the greatest receivers of our time, Calvin Johnson; or does Megatron make Stafford? The pro-Stafford crowd argues a quarterback is vitally essential to success. The pro-Calvin side says when you’re as talented as he is, it doesn’t matter who throws you the football – Calvin will make any quarterback look good. On one hand, Johnson had yet to establish elite-status in dynasty formats until Stafford played a full 16-game schedule. Before Stafford got healthy, Calvin only broke 1,000 yards twice in four years – that’s still productive for most receivers, but not for Megatron. On the other side, the plays that helped Detroit win games in 2011 seemed to strictly take advantage of the greatness of Calvin. Use the comments below to tell us what you think.

To me, Stafford is the equivalent of Philip Rivers – talented, but remarkably inconsistent as he’s prone to absent-minded turnovers. In San Diego, Rivers had the help of our running game led by LaDainian Tomlinson, and led his team to four straight division titles. Until the Lions can establish a running game to complement Stafford, the Lions are more likely to lose ten games before they win ten games in a season.

Shaun Hill

One of the better backups you’ll find in the NFL, Hill isn’t the drop off many teams experience when their signal-caller goes down.  He’s seen action in almost 14 games over Stafford’s first four seasons. If Stafford gets hurt (it’s been known to happen), owners could do much worse in a pinch.  Even considering the lack of a run game, he’d be able to throw to arguably the most talented receiver on the planet. He’ll never have a starting job in the league, but he’s better than three quarters of the players who hold a similar job, so he’ll be able to hold a clipboard and make us all jealous for years to come.

Running Backs

Mikel Leshoure

After rupturing his Achilles during his first NFL training camp, Leshoure lacked the small amount of explosiveness he had playing at Illinois. Despite ranking sixth in the NFC in rushing touchdowns (9), the lack of a home run hitter proved to be a seismic difference in the success of the offense. There are questions about his commitment after being ticketed for marijuana possession last year. I expect to see an improvement from last year, as Achilles injuries seem like the hardest to recover from in today’s game. His coaches seem to feel this way as well, “He flashed enough highs that gives us optimism that he can (be explosive), but he also had enough inconsistency to say that he’s not there yet,” recently said Head Coach Jim Schwartz, “We still have high hopes for him.”

Regardless, the Lions need to find a complement to Leshoure, and someone more dynamic to get this team and offense moving forward. Look for them to fill this role through free agency, and if that fails, the NFL Draft. Whoever they get to complete the pair, he’ll get as many touches as Leshoure next season.

Javhid Best

Dripping with talent, word is Best will never play football again. In this case, we see one of the sad tales where a medical issue in College translates itself into an NFL career. Truthfully, the concussion is the last injury you want to see your players struggle with in today’s NFL. The league has become ultra sensitized to head injuries and Best has become the unfortunate poster boy. I expect the Lions to find his replacement sooner than later.

Joique Bell

A nice find by a regime that has struggled mightily in player development, Bell set NCAA records carrying the ball at Wayne State, leading all four NCAA divisions in yards rushing per game (189.45), scoring (17.5 points per game) and all-purpose yards (217.5 per game). Bell gives the Lions another version of Leshoure, but with better receiving skills. He’s not explosive, but has great vision and instincts we’re not accustomed to seeing for a back with his background.

Next season, Bell fits in nicely as a capable number three running back with room to grow. If we don’t see improvement from Leshoure, Bell may be the first to get the opportunity to replace him. I’m a huge fan of his, as I believe he’s better than Leshoure and also feel he will be a Lion longer than any other back on this roster.

Wide Receivers

Calvin Johnson

The only reason Johnson set the record for most receiving yards in a season was because he had no choice. Injuries to the rest of his starting unit forced him to be the go-to receiver on nearly every play. It’s still a great achievement, but it wouldn’t have happened if his teammates stayed healthy.

During the past year, defenses have figured out ways to keep Johnson out of the end zone. Johnson may have totaled more yards than any receiver before, but he also set a career low in touchdowns with just five. Considering what defenses have been able to do, a big decline in yardage is likely next season, while his touchdowns stay relatively low for a player of his status. I expect his team to get better, and in turn, make Johnson’s production fall significantly next season. Seasons like his simply don’t get replicated, but an improvement in touchdowns could help offset the yardage decline he’ll see in 2013.

Nate Burleson

Burleson joined the walking wounded earlier than any other Lions receiver after a week seven knee injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. He doesn’t do anything great, but does a lot of things well. He’s not the complement the team is looking for opposite Megatron, but he’s serviceable, and offers value in leadership. Expect a modest bounce-back from Burleson next season as he slides comfortably into the role as the Lions third receiver.

Ryan Broyles

One of my favorite players from last year’s NFL draft; Broyles spent last season recovering from a torn left ACL in his final College season. As he became healthy, his play gradually improved before breaking out in week twelve with a six-catch, 126-yard performance. A week later, the former Oklahoma Sooner tore his other ACL, ending his season. Broyles gives the Lions something every NFL team will be looking for sooner, rather than later – a possession receiver you can always find open for a short pass over the middle of the field. Not only is he capable as a possession receiver, but his 4.57 time 40-yard dash (OU Pro Day 2012) also suggests an ability to stretch the field. Thankfully, he’s now fresh out of ACL’s to tear. I love what Broyles is capable of, as do the Lions, and would love to see what he can do over the course of a healthy season.

Mike Thomas

The Lions traded for Thomas when it was clear they had no viable options that wide receiver. Ever since his Sophomore season where he totaled 820 yards and four touchdowns, Thomas has never been the same. In his next two seasons combined, he’s recorded just 523 yards and just two scores. After failing to beat out journeymen such as Kris Durham, (who’s getting his only mention here on this list), the only future Thomas has in Detroit is as a returner.

Tight Ends

Brandon Pettigrew

Slowly climbing the rankings in Detroit’s public enemy poll, Pettigrew’s performance makes him the “C” student of NFL tight ends. Simply put, the 2009 20th overall pick is spectacularly average. What makes him average is his propensity to drop passes or create convenient turnovers for his opponent. Pettigrew would hold value if he was found in the later rounds of the draft, but not for someone taken in the top 20. Lions fans have a good collective memory, and remember that Percy Harvin and Clay Matthews were on the board when Pettigrew went to Detroit. As he enters his fifth year, it’s clear the Lions are past the point of no return with Pettigrew, and know exactly what he is – average.

Tony Scheffler

Scheffler is one of the NFL’s better second-string tight ends. After spending time in Denver, the Lions brought Scheffler over in a three-way trade with Philadelphia for linebacker Ernie Sims. In his time in Detroit, he’s added a nice security blanket for Stafford, and has been a better pass-catcher than Pettigrew ever was. Even so, he’s not a starting tight end on your team, or even on his own team. Consider Scheffler a bye week fill-in only if Pettigrew gets hurt.

Follow Dan Hasty on Twitter @DanHasty34!