Lions skill position players get much respect in ESPN rankings

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The Detroit Lions offense finished third in total yards and fifth in scoring in 2023, the second straight season finishing in the top five in both categories. That’s indicative of a great offense loaded with great players.

Jared Goff is the commander in chief of coordinator Ben Johnson’s creatively intricate offense, and he’s been rewarded with a massive new contract extension for his outstanding performance. Goff has some very impressive weapons at his disposal, too.

Amon-Ra St. Brown. Sam LaPorta. Jahmyr Gibbs. David Montgomery. All top-shelf talents at their respective positions. And that leads to the Lions being ranked on the top shelf of the skill position group ratings from ESPN and analyst Bill Barnwell.

The Lions’ collection of WR, RB and TE ranks seventh in the league, according to the ESPN rankings. Given the rankings don’t consider the offensive line or quarterback, it’s an impressive display for Detroit’s playmakers.

Barnwell brings up the depth at wideout beyond St. Brown as the biggest question. Noting that “Jameson Williams hasn’t yet launched,” it’s the only real negative in the entire summary. However, there’s some genuine optimism too,

If Williams develops into the player Detroit hoped to add when it traded up for him in 2022, it could have the NFL’s best group of playmakers.

The San Francisco 49ers are at the top, while the Los Angeles Chargers bring up the rear.

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