The bye week is a good opportunity to look back on the first four weeks of the season for the Detroit Lions and identify which players have been impressive early on this season:
QUARTERBACK MATTHEW STAFFORD
Coordinator Darrell Bevell's new offense looks to be a terrific fit for Stafford's skillset, as Stafford's completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 1,122 yards (280.5 per game) with nine touchdowns and just two interceptions. He's one of only 10 quarterbacks in the NFL with a passer rating above 100.0 after four games. Stafford has a 102.6 passer rating and has led the Lions to a 2-1-1 start heading into the bye week.
Stafford is also averaging 8.0 yards per pass attempt, which is currently the highest mark of his career. He's pushing the ball down the field and making plays. Stafford's 19 completions of 20-plus yards are the third most in the NFL behind Patrick Mahomes and Philip Rivers.
One area where Stafford does need to improve, however, is that he has three fumbles in four games.
CORNERBACK JUSTIN COLEMAN
Coleman has been well worth the free agent investment this offseason through the first month of the season.
He recorded four tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and two defended passes against the Chiefs. Coleman has recorded multiple passes defended in consecutive games vs. Philadelphia and Kansas City. He is currently tied with Johnathan Joseph (Houston), Cory Littleton (LA Rams), Jaire Alexander (Green Bay) and Logan Thomas (Tennessee) for the NFL lead with six passes defended. Coleman is currently the second graded cornerback in the NFL behind only Jason McCourty by Pro Football Focus.
He's been a big upgrade for the Lions' defense in the slot.
WIDE RECEIVER KENNY GOLLADAY
Golladay has at least one touchdown catch in three of Detroit's first four games. He had two last Sunday vs. Kansas City. Golladay's four touchdown receptions are tied for the NFL lead after the first month of football.
In his third season, Golladay understands route concepts much better and how to attack teams based off the coverage he sees. Teams will shift coverage his way time to time, and a good way to tell a young receiver is really developing is his ability to adjust and continue to make plays when defenses give him extra attention.
Golladay has strong hands and terrific body control to make tough catches. He's really had a nice start to his season with 19 receptions for 243 yards and those four scores.
SAFETY TRACY WALKER
The second-year safety has 36 tackles through Week 4, the most a Lions defensive back has ever posted and tied with linebacker Ernie Sims in 2007 for the second most total tackles a Lions player has produced through the first four games of a season.
Walker's 32 solo tackles are the most a Lions player has ever had through the team's first four games. He's been a really good tackler in the backend for Detroit.
There are still some things coverage-wise Walker can continue to develop, but we also have to remember he's drawn a difficult task the last two weeks covering two of the best tight ends in the NFL in Zach Ertz and Travis Kelce, and he kept both players out of the end zone.
Walker's been credited by PFF with allowing 265 receiving yards in his coverage, but he still hasn't allowed a touchdown. He has an interception and a defended pass.
CENTER FRANK RAGNOW
The switch to his more natural center position has allowed Ragnow to thrive early on. His power and run-blocking ability are two huge components to his game, and they suit him better in Bevell's system at center.
Ragnow has the highest run-blocking grade among all centers in the NFL by PFF. As a pass blocker, Ragnow hasn't allowed a sack and has only given up two quarterback hits in four games.
He's also done a nice job setting up the calls and protections up front. Stafford has been sacked seven times in four games, which is less than 19 other quarterbacks around the league.
