The Detroit Lions are moving through the offseason workout program with Week 2 of OTAs up next.
With a new year comes new opportunity for every player on the Lions' roster. Which Lion could be poised for a breakout season? I asked the Detroitlions.com crew, and here's what they had to say:
Tim Twentyman: Defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson
Hutchinson was the Defensive Rookie of the Year runner-up after recording 9.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hits and three picks in his first season in Detroit.
With the improvements the Lions made this offseason to their secondary, Hutchinson should expect even more time to get to the quarterback in Year 2. He can be a double-digit sack guy and a sneaky Defensive Player of the Year candidate in his second season.
View photos from Day 3 of Detroit Lions OTA practice on Thursday, May 25, 2023 in Allen Park, Mich.
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman John Cominsky (79) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Brodric Martin (98) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Will Harris (25), Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14), Detroit Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs (39) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson (28) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dylan Drummond (83) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds (8) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Adrian Martinez (18) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Adrian Martinez (18) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green (80) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (10) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Mohamed Ibrahim (33) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5), Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16), Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson (28) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Charles Harris (53) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Charles Harris (53) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Brady Breeze (35) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs (39) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Romeo Okwara (95) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Mike O'Hara: Running back Jahmyr Gibbs
Athletic skills and opportunity make Gibbs my choice. That's expecting a lot from a rookie, but there is a lot that favors Gibbs to hit the ground running – and receiving – in the Lions' offense.
Gibbs has speed (4.36 time in the 40), he led Alabama in rushing and receiving in 2022, and he has veteran David Montgomery to share the load and keep him fresh.
Playing in offensive coordinator Ben Johnson's scheme opens the door for Gibbs to have a big rookie season.
PJ's Pick: Running back David Montgomery
Stop me if you've heard this before - the Lions want to run the ball.
With the run game being the core of this offense, there's plenty of breakout potential to go around in the backfield. Mike can have the Rookie of the Year candidate in Gibbs, and I'll gladly take my chances on Montgomery setting new career highs in both rushing yards (1,070) and rushing touchdowns (8) in his first season behind one of the league's best offensive lines.
View photos of Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, tight end Sam LaPorta and quarterback Hendon Hooker at the NFLPA Rookie Premiere.
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023 Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023 Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023 Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023 Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023 Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023 Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023 Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023 Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023 Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023 Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023 Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023 Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023 Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (12) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (12) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (12) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023 Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (12) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (12) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (12) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (12) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023 Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (12) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (12) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (12) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 20, 2023 Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Editor's Pick: Defensive lineman Josh Paschal
Paschal may get overlooked because he dealt with injuries last year, missing a lot of his rookie season. He flashed enough at times (2 sacks Week 17 vs. Bears) to make me think he could be special in his second season.
With proven playmakers like Hutchinson, Romeo Okwara and James Houston on the defensive line, that unit should be a strength this year, which will only help Paschal make his own plays. Let's see what he can do.
