Expectations for 2023
Paschal’s rookie season was relatively forgettable. A core injury sustained while in college cost him all of training camp and the first five games of the season. In the 10 games he did appear in, he tallied just 10 tackles, 2.0 sacks, and four QB hits.
So going into 2023, there was hope that a full offseason to focus on football—not rehab—would result in a much more impactful year.
“Josh is coming back confident, and he doesn’t have the hesitation in his game,” teammate John Cominsky said mid-training camp. “He’s getting off blocks violently. He’s hitting his pass rush violently. He’s getting to the ball violently. There is no indecision. I just see—he’s just playing faster, stronger.”
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph already appears to be developing into a rock-solid NFL player, entering his third season.
Bigger and better things could still be in store, though, according to at least one outlet. Joseph landed a spot on CBS Sports’ NFL All-Breakout Team for 2024, released Tuesday. He is the lone Lions player on the team.
Lions safety Kerby Joseph (top) tallied four interceptions, 11 pass breakups and 82 total tackles in 15 regular-season games in 2023.
Joseph played 15 regular-season games — all starts — for last season’s NFC North champion, as well as all three playoff games. His four interceptions during the regular season matched his total from his rookie season, where he appeared in all 17 games, making 14 starts.
Joseph added 11 pass breakups and 82 total tackles (the latter also matching his 17-game totals as a rookie) in 2023’s regular season, but Josh Edwards of CBS Sports says the Lions’ bevy of offseason additions in the secondary could help the 23-year-old take the next step.
1. DETROIT LIONS (12-5)
Yeah, yeah, Lions fans know all about the second half of last season’s NFC Championship game, but we’re not looking that deeply into the crystal ball just yet. In the shorter term, the core they have coming back—quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, and edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, to name a few—is solid and ready to reload. Staying strong and healthy on both sides of the line will be paramount. The Lions also sought to shore up a shaky secondary by drafting Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw. It all should add up to another big year in Detroit.
2. GREEN BAY PACKERS (9-8)
Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love looks for another big year. Photo source: Getty Images
What will Jordan Love do for an encore under center?
His progression last season seems to indicate quite a bit, perhaps exceeding his 4,159 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2023. The Green Bay receiving room has hardly changed—that’s not a bad thing, believe it or not—and some shuffling among running backs (Josh Jacobs for Aaron Jones) should keep the attack on the move. Green Bay added Xavier McKinney to a defense that’s experienced but still thirsty to improve on a meager 18 takeaways last season. Only six teams finished with fewer. More big plays on ‘D’ are never a bad thing, especially for a team that had five losses of four points or fewer in 2023.
3. CHICAGO BEARS (7-10)
Chicago Bears number one draft choice Caleb Williams at a press conference at Halas Hall. credits: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
The hype and expectations are far different for Caleb Williams than for Love as Williams prepares for his first season as an NFL starting quarterback.
As much as it stings to find solidarity with those Cheeseheads, though, Bears fans surely would go gaga if the top pick in the draft fares as well as Love did last season. Chicago management has set Williams up to be great from the get-go, adding receivers Keenan Allen and Rome Adunze and running back D’Andre Swift to an offensive stable that already included wideout D.J. Moore. An accomplished, experienced defense backs the offensive arsenal, which must stay on guard for inevitable growing pains.
4. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-10)
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