Kickoff Primer: An instant guide to the 2016 Detroit Lions

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Detroit Lions

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Jim Caldwell
Offensive Coordinator: Jim Bob Cooter
Defensive Coordinator: Teryl Austin

Key Additions

• WR Marvin Jones
• LT Taylor Decker (1st round)
• WR Anquan Boldin
• DT A'Shawn Robinson (2nd round)

Key Departures

• WR Calvin Johnson
• RB Joique Bell
• CB Rashean Mathis
• CB Crezdon Butler
• WR Lance Moore
• DE Darryl Tapp

Preseason Power Ranking - #29

Are the Lions more in line with the team that started 2015 at 1-7, or the one that rebounded with a 6-2 finish? With Calvin Johnson's retirement only adding to the question marks throughout the roster, don't be surprised if it's the former. More...

Projected Starting Lineup

Questions to Answer

• Who will replace Calvin Johnson's production?
• How will Taylor Decker fare protecting Matthew Stafford's blind side?
• Will Ameer Abdullah grow into the lead-back role?

Best-case Scenario

Ameer Abdullah becomes a bona fide No. 1 running back, the team doesn't miss Calvin Johnson, and the Lions stay in the playoff hunt longer than expected before playing spoiler against the Cowboys and Packers in the final two weeks of the regular season.

Worst-case Scenario

The Lions might own the worst collection of talent in the National Football League. With no one capable of replacing Megatron's numbers, don't be surprised if Jim Caldwell is relieved of his duties early in the season and Detroit challenges for the first pick of the 2017 draft.