There were many new pieces for the Detroit Lions in 2021.
General manager. Coach. Coordinators. Quarterback. Schemes.
With so much turnover, the learning curve was steep for the organization. That held doubly true for the rookies.
The Lions’ seven first-year players in 2021 saw varying degrees of success, but when Dan Campbell spoke in June at minicamp, he said he sees more production coming from that group in 2022.
“I’ve said this before, most guys continue to get better and grow throughout the years, but I think it’s hard to make the big of a jump after Year 2,” Campbell said. “I believe Year 1 to Year 2 is where you make that biggest jump.
“That’s what we anticipate out of our guys. That’s why we got them here, so we can continue to develop them so they can take that big next step.”
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Campbell has seen it first-hand, all the way back to his playing days. He said it doesn’t always hold true, but there are many times the leap from rookie to sophomore year can be a sign of a standout career to come.
Some of the biggest he can remember? Tight ends Jason Witten and Jeremy Shockey.
One of the first names to come to mind on his roster ready for a major jump: the No. 7 overall pick in last year’s draft, Penei Sewell.
The All-American from Oregon played both left and right tackle as a rookie.
He prepared at right tackle in training camp, jumped to the left side early in the season when Taylor Decker went down with an injury, then flipped back in the middle of the season upon Decker’s return.
Even with the tough task, he earned the highest grade from Pro Football Focus of any Lions offensive lineman; of the seven sacks he allowed, just one came at right tackle over the final half of the season.
Earlier this summer, Sewell acknowledged it was a tough way to start his career, but said he’s now better for it. Decker agreed.
“I think especially down the stretch last year, he was playing great and he’s just young,” Decker said. “And him this offseason, (he has) gotten significantly stronger, at least from what I’ve seen in the weight room. And then I think with him, and this reaches back to going into the stretch last year, just confident.”
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Alim McNeill, who national outlets are expecting to pop this season, told reporters about how he changed his diet in the offseason, trying to make sure he was eating the right calories.
A young rookie last season at 21, the 330-pound defensive tackle should only improve as he grows into his frame and put on muscle
He was listed this week No. 10 on Pro Football Focus’ 15 breakout players to watch entering the season.
“McNeill held his own for a 60.1 overall grade on 422 snaps as a rookie,” wrote PFF’s Michael Renner. “His inclusion comes primarily from what he put on tape in Weeks 17 and 18 last season. McNeill earned two of his three highest single-game grades of the year in those contests (75.8 and 79.5 overall) while playing 65 snaps between the two.”
Receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown isn’t looking for a “breakout” season, but rather to continue the trajectory from his rookie campaign.
The USC alumnus was one of the top rookie receivers in the league and became a focal point of the offense late in the season. He saw double-digit targets in each of his final six games, after not getting more than eight looks in a week prior.
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He finished with 90 receptions for 912 yards and five touchdowns.
Levi Onwuzurike is expected be a factor in the rotation in the middle of what should be an improved defensive line.
Derrick Barnes has been mentioned among the most improved linebackers, which Campbell said was perhaps the most competitive room this spring.
Ifeatu Melifonwu has moved from cornerback to safety to maximize his skill set, and Jermar Jefferson is pushing for one of the final running back spots on the roster.
There’s a plan in place for each of the youngsters as they take a step to season two, which coincides with the same leap the organization is looking to take.
“Because of where we’re at with some of these young guys now that they’re a year older and have a base underneath them, they have an understanding of what we’re trying to do in the system,” Campbell said. “Last year was the first time a lot of these young bucks have heard (this stuff). We’re a young, young team so they don’t even know what they don’t know.
“Now it’s the next step in that process so that’s what makes me feel pretty good, at the mental part I think we’re getting better.”
Contact Tony Garcia at apgarcia@freepress.com. Follow him on twitter at @realtonygarcia.