LIONS NEWS: 4 LIONS MAKE PFF’S MIDSEASON ALL-PRO TEAM
The Detroit Lions are 6-1 through seven games and currently occupy the top spot not only in their division but in the entire conference. Their hot start has been the result of strong complementary play, with all sides of the ball contributing in important moments. That is reflected in PFF’s midseason All-Pro team, which features four Lions players—one on offense, two on defense, and one on special teams.
Despite averaging the most points in the league, the Lions offense was only represented on the All Pro list by Penei Sewell. PFF notes that not only has Sewell only allowed seven pressures all year, but his 86.0 PFF run blocking grade is second among all offensive tackles.
Defensively, both Aidan Hutchinson and Brian Branch made the team. It’s certainly remarkable for Hutchinson to make the team when he only played in 4.5 games, but despite the injury he still ranks second in pressures with 45—only Nick Bosa (46) has more.
It’s just as remarkable of a feat for Branch, who is in his first year playing full-time safety for the Lions. Branch leads all NFL safeties with a 90.4 PFF grade, and his 86.6 coverage grade is only behind... teammate Kerby Joseph and Packers safety Xavier McKinney.
The last player represented in PFF’s All-Pro team is Kalif Raymond, who just earned NFC Player of the Week honors after his breakout performance against the Tennessee Titans. Raymond was officially named second-team All Pro back in 2022, so this is just a continuation of his sensational career as the Lions punt returner.
- Always great to hear early Dan Campbell stories. This one from former Dolphins executive vice president of football operations MIke Tannenbaum:
- For the second straight week, Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs was voted as the FedEx Ground Player of the Week. He will have a donation made in his name to HBCUs.
- Big news for fans of the Lions fight song “Gridiron Heroes.” It’s now available on Spotify:
- We broke down the play of Al-Quadin Muhammad earlier on Wednesday. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press took a wider scope by examining the Lions’ pass rush over the past two weeks without Hutchinson (subscription required).
- Former NFL center A.Q. Shipley had to give it up to Frank Ragnow, who he calls the best center in football right now:
- The officiating crew for the Lions vs. Packers game has been announced and you’re not going to like it: