Things are slow this time of year but we do have a look at the Lions 2023 schedule, plus some news and notes as the Lions have been working through their offseason program.

QB: We know the Lions drafted QB Hendon Hooker in the 3^rd round, and coach Campbell made some comments that clarified what we can expect from Hooker in 2023. Basically, not much, as Campbell used the phrase redshirt year. Since the NFL modified the rules about being able to keep a 3^rd quarterback active on game day for emergencies, I thought this might give Hooker a shot to make the 53 man roster. But it seems more likely he could be looking at spending time on the PUP list as he continues to recover from his ACL injury. QB Nate Sudfeld is uninspiring as a backup, so hopefully QB Jared Goff will stay healthy. The early fantasy rankings for 2023 have Goff somewhere around 19 or 20, so he is a QB2, and I can't argue with that.

RB: Rookie RB Jahmyr Gibbs was already dinged up with an ankle during rookie minicamp, but was back in action during OTAs while RB David Montgomery was held out due to injury. Nothing serious as this will be the 1-2 punch come September. They will both have fantasy value, especially Gibbs in PPR leagues. The comparisons to Alvin Kamara are not going away. The questions over drafting a running back that high are also not going away as we continue to see more and more evidence around the league that the position has been severely devalued. I'm sure the Lions have heard the critics of the Gibbs pick, and they will likely give Gibbs every chance to shine. Of course Lions history over the last 20 years is filled with highly drafted running backs that never amounted to much. There will be a battle for the depth chart spots behind Gibbs and Montgomery that will be sorted out in camp.

WR/TE: Still not a lot of positive vibes surrounding WR Jameson Williams. Reports from OTAs have mentioned some issues with drops, so there might be on field things to watch in addition to his off the field question marks. On the other hand, rookie TE Sam LaPorta looked really good during minicamp and OTAs according to all reports. Would the Lions consider making a run at DeAndre Hopkins? It makes some sense when you look at all the factors. There is a bit of a need at the position, the Lions are in reasonably good shape with the salary cap, and they are projected to be a contender. But there doesn't seem to be much interest at this time. Maybe if his price comes down a bit the Lions could jump in. For now, the redraft value for Williams is very low due to his six game suspension. WR Amon-Ra St. Brown will be picked high in all leagues, but there isn't much else to get excited about in this group. LaPorta is not even on the radar yet, but I think he should be.

K/DST: The Lions did not draft a kicker as I had hoped, but that may have been because they came off the board earlier than expected. The Lions have created competition at the position as they traded with the Jaguars for PK Riley Patterson and signed PK John Parker Romo, most recently of the XFL. So PK Michael Badgley will need to fight to hold the job. Patterson kicked for the Lions in 2021 but was let go in 2022. Now they traded to bring him back. Odd I guess, but it was only a conditional late round pick in 2026 or something. Romo has a strong leg. The Lions defense still has a lot to prove and probably isn't draftable, especially if you like to stream your defenses, as they open in Kansas City week 1.

2023 Schedule:

Week 1 (THU) Sept. 7 at Kansas City 8:20

Week 2 Sept. 17 vs. Seattle 1:00

Week 3 Sept. 24 vs. Atlanta 1:00

Week 4 (THU) Sept. 28 at Green Bay 8:15

Week 5 Oct. 8 vs. Carolina 1:00

Week 6 Oct. 15 at Tampa Bay 1:00

Week 7 Oct. 22 at Baltimore 1:00

Week 8 (MON) Oct. 30 vs. Las Vegas 8:15

Week 9 Nov. 5 BYE

Week 10 Nov. 12 at LA Chargers 4:05

Week 11 Nov. 19 vs. Chicago 1:00

Week 12 (THU) Nov 23 vs. Green Bay 12:30

Week 13 Dec. 3 at New Orleans 1:00

Week 14 Dec. 10 at Chicago 1:00

Week 15 Dec. 16/17 vs. Denver TBD

Week 16 Dec. 24 at Minnesota 1:00

Week 17 (SAT) Dec. 30 at Dallas 8:15

Week 18 Jan 6/7 vs. Minnesota TBD

Schedule thoughts: As usual, back loaded with division games - 1 in the first 10 weeks, 5 in the last 8. At least five national TV games - four in prime time plus Thanksgiving Day, pending additional flexing. The country will see a lot more of the Lions this year as they earned the respect of the NFL scheduling gurus and the TV networks thanks to their hot finish in 2022. Most of their outdoor games are early in the year, as the trip to Chicago in week 14 looks like the only potential bad weather game.

I will be back next month with a training camp preview.

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