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Detroit Lions: Top 5 breakout player candidates for 2018

By Sayre Bedinger

NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 15: Jarrad Davis #40 of the Detroit Lions tackles Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 15, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Lions 52-38. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 15: Jarrad Davis #40 of the Detroit Lions tackles Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 15, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Lions 52-38. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Lions need some breakout performances if they are going to compete in the NFC North. Here are their top 5 breakout player candidates…

SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 17: Tight end Luke Willson #82 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on December 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr /Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 17: Tight end Luke Willson #82 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on December 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr /Getty Images) /

The Detroit Lions finished 9-7, good enough for second place in the NFC North in 2017 but not good enough to make the playoffs.

They lost just three of their final nine games last season, and are a team on the cusp of breaking through and into the playoffs.

The competition in the NFC North will be very tough again in 2018, but the Lions can be a factor if they get some support from young players in need of breakout seasons.

Here are their top five breakout player candidates for 2018…

5. Luke Willson, TE

Former Seattle Seahawks tight end Luke Willson is finally getting the opportunity to play for the team he dreamed of when he was a kid.

After rumors the Lions would trade Eric Ebron last season, the tight end saw an uptick in usage in the offense and also effectiveness.

Amid the trade rumors, Ebron managed to catch 53 passes for 574 yards and four touchdowns.

Up to this point in Willson’s career, he has not eclipsed 22 catches in a season but has been a consistent threat as a backup tight end for Russell Wilson and the Seahawks.

Now expected to take on a more prominent role as a receiver, Willson could be a big-time breakout candidate for Matt Stafford and the Lions’ offense. If Willson is targeted more than 85 times like Ebron was a season ago, he should put up really nice numbers.

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