Why the Detroit Lions Could Be NFL's Most Surprising Sleeper Team in 2022

Every year, we look at the final NFL rankings and spot at least one surprise.

The Cleveland Browns made the playoffs with an 11-5 record in 2020. Is it possible that the Cincinnati Bengals will go all the way to the Super Bowl?

The Detroit Lions could be in the playoffs. Four months away from Week 1, take a look at their roster and the other teams in the North.

Davante Adams was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders from the Green Bay Packers. A new coaching staff for the Minnesota Vikings. Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus are the new general manager and head coach of the Chicago Bears.

The Lions have an inexperienced coaching staff, but they can build on their 3-13-1 season.

When Dan Campbell took over as head coach, people laughed at him, but he set the tone for the club on that day. Detroit will be a tough football team on his watch, which shows the mentality of the Motor City.

Campbell showed an emotional side to his players after a close loss to the Vikings because of how much he cares about winning games.

Jeanna Trotman @JeannaTrotmanTV

An emotional Dan Campbell crying through his post game press conference: "When you see your players give all that they have and then you lose that way. It's tough. You don't want that for them. But we'll be better for it." https://t.co/bYMsh0efbW

The Lions won their first game of the season in Week 13 against the Vikings. The team's poor final record made them the No. 2 pick in the draft, but general manager BradHolmes took advantage of a good position in the selection order and put together one of the league's best rookies.

The incoming draft class will help balance the roster and solidify the team's rugged identity.

The second pick was taken by Detroit. He is more refined than the other edge-rushers taken in the first round.

Hutchinson has no flexibility, but his use of his hands, counter moves and play recognition make up for it. He has a chance to make an immediate impact as an every-down defender who can stand up or burst off the line from a three-point stance to rush the quarterback because of his skill set.

The Lions' defense allowed the second-most points in 2021. They added a versatile defender with the No. 46 pick, Josh Paschal. The Kentucky product can break into the backfield at a high rate. The 6'3'', 268-pound defensive end racked up 5.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss last year.

The Lions can attack opposing offenses with a first, second, and third wave of edge-rushers and defensive linemen. Charles Harris, a first-round pick in the last year, had 7.5 sacks, 34 pressures and 10 tackles for loss. Two years have passed since a 10-sack campaign. His younger brother recorded six tackles for loss.

Glenn can move defenders around the formation and give opposing quarterbacks nightmares. Detroit's defensive front will garner a lot of attention, allowing its athletic linebackers to shoot gaps for coverage sacks and tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Alex Anzalone is the leader of the group. He allowed a 74.4 passer rating in coverage last year, but he can play on all three downs. Barnes showed flashes, logging 67 tackles, four for loss and two sacks through 17 games, but he needs to develop into a complete second-level defender. Jarrad Davis returned to Detroit via free agency.

The Lions may pick Malcolm Rodriguez in the future. The Oklahoma State product's playcreams starting-caliber potential and his strengths in his scouting analysis were highlighted by the Bleacher Report.

Despite his size and strength, he still thrives in the box. He plays with a hairtrigger that allows him to jump on run plays. Rodriguez is able to overcome his deficiencies by playing tight to blocks and finding creative ways to slip blocks in congested areas. He is also very impressive in space. His change of direction can get ugly at times, but he plays with good initial burst as well as long speed to chase to the perimeter.

If the Lions develop Rodriguez into a starter, they will have a Day 3 gem who could shore up their weak side.

There is a question mark on the boundary of the secondary opposite of Amani Oruwariye, who broke out with six interceptions and 11 pass breakups in 2021, we will likely see strong competition for the starting job with better coverage on the back end.

If Okudah can stay healthy, he will have a chance to play up to his potential. As a third-round pick, Ifeatu is able to carve out a role on the perimeter. Mike Hughes is a former first-round pick who has started in the past.

Kerby Joseph can provide quality deep coverage. He had five intercepts at Illinois last year.

Most teams in the NFL only go as far as the quarterback takes them. In three of the four seasons he was the starter for the Los Angeles Rams, he led them to the playoffs.

A strong supporting cast can lead a club to several wins. He has a good offensive line and a lot of other people around him.

On the first day of the draft, the Lions moved up to take a receiver from Alabama named Jameson Williams. The big-play receiver tore his knee in the National Championship Game but will be able to participate in training camp.

Williams will open up the middle of the field for T.J. Hockenson once he suits up for live action. DJ Chark can threaten defenses vertically with his 4.34-second 40-yard dash speed if he makes a full recovery from his fractured ankle.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, who finished second and fifth among rookies in reception and receiving yards, can be built a stronger connection with Goff. He and Josh Reynolds have been playing together for five seasons, dating back to their time in Los Angeles.

The offensive line allowed a pressure rate of 23.2 percent, which was ranked 16th in the country. If tackle Penei Sewell picks up where he left off last season and fellow tackle Taylor Decker is healthy, he should be under less pressure.

Detroit's offensive line opened up holes for a ground attack that ranked 11th in yards per rush attempt last year. One of the league's better five-man groups has running backs D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams who can balance the offense.

The Lions will win games at the line of scrimmage, but they are capable of piling on points with a proven starting quarterback.

Campbell laid the groundwork for a team that lost six games by one possession. The Lions will continue to bite a lot of kneecaps with their hard-nosed approach, but they will also take a significant leap in Year 2 under the current regime.

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Maurice Moton is a reporter for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on social media.