2024 Detroit Lions Projected Finish, Key Signings and Fantasy Stars

In the 11th of a 32-part series, we are featuring all National Football League teams with a prediction of where each team will finish within their division, key off-season acquisitions and their top fantasy stars. Here are the Detroit Lions.

Key Off Season Acquisitions

The Lions made three significant free agent signings in the offseason. They acquired D.J. Reader of Greensboro, North Carolina to a two-year deal worth $22 million after playing the last four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, defensive end Marcus Davenport of San Antonio, Texas to a one-year deal worth $6.5 million after playing last season with the Minnesota Vikings, and guard Kevin Zeitler of Waukesha, Wisconsin to a one-year deal worth $6 million after playing last season with the Baltimore Ravens. At cornerback, the Lions also signed Amik Robertson of Thibodeaux, Louisiana to a two-year deal worth $9.25 million, and acquired Carlton Davis of Miami, Florida in a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In 2023, Reader had 34 combined tackles (20 solo tackles and 14 assisted tackles), two tackles for a loss, seven quarterback hits, one pass deflection, one quarterback hit, and one sack. Reader had a tackle for a loss and one sack in a 19-16 Bengals win over the Los Angeles Rams on September 25, and another tackle for a loss in a 24-18 Bengals win over the Buffalo Bills on November 5. In addition to playing four seasons with the Bengals, Reader played four seasons with the Houston Texans from 2016 to 2019.

Davenport had seven combined tackles (four solo tackles and three solo tackles), two tackles for a loss, and two sacks with the Vikings in 2024. He suffered a high ankle sprain in week six and missed the rest of the year. Davenport spent one season in Minnesota after five seasons with the New Orleans Saints.

Zeitler is joining his fifth NFL franchise. He was previously with the Cincinnati Bengals from 2012 to 2016, the Cleveland Browns in 2017 and 2018, the New York Giants in 2019 and 2020, and the Baltimore Ravens from 2021 to 2023. A Pro Bowler for the first time with the Ravens in 2023, Zeitler had one fumble recovery.

Robertson spent the last four seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. In 2023, he had 50 combined tackles (38 solo tackles and 12 assisted tackles), two tackles for a loss, one quarterback hit, two interceptions for 40 yards, six pass deflections, one forced fumble and one sack. The interceptions came in a 17-13 Raiders win over the Green Bay Packers on October 9 and in a 30-6 Raiders win over the New York Giants on November 5. The sack and quarterback hit came in a 21-17 Raiders win over the New England Patriots on October 15. The forced fumble also came in the Raiders win over the Giants.

Davis spent the last six seasons with the Buccaneers and won a Super Bowl in 2021. This past season, he had 52 combined tackles (40 solo tackles and 12 assisted tackles), two interceptions for three yards, and nine pass deflections. The Lions traded a third round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to the Buccaneers and received a sixth round pick in 2024.

Fantasy Stars

The Lions have two fantasy stars. At wide receiver, Amon-Ra St. Brown of Anaheim Hills, California is ranked seventh and at tight end, Sam LaPorta of Highland, Illinois is ranked third (only behind Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs and Mark Andrews of the Baltimore Ravens). St. Brown had 119 catches for 1515 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, and LaPorta had 86 catches for 889 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.

Projected Finish

The Lions won the NFC North this past season and have the capabilities of defending their title. The acquisitions at defense will make them better. However, I am predicting Detroit to finish in second place behind the Green Bay Packers. Why? The Packers were very impressive down the stretch and the acquisition of running back Josh Jacobs gives Green Bay an electrifying offensive threat.

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