Though the Detroit Lions did not quite do enough to get into the 2022 NFL Playoffs, it sure does feel like it was a successful season. Following a 3-13-1 record in 2021, the Lions were able to triple their win total in 2022 to finish with a 9-8 overall record. One of the big reasons why the Lions were able to win six more games in 2022 is because Jared Goff played so well. Because of that, Goff has been included on ESPN’s NFL’s Most Valuable Players list.
Which 3 Detroit Lions are included on ESPN’s NFL’s Most Valuable Players list?
On Tuesday, Seth Walder of ESPN released his NFL’s top 100 most valuable players of 2022 season list and three Lions players made the cut.
Jared Goff was not only the highest-ranked Lions’ player to make the cut, but he actually ended up coming in at No. 15 in the entire NFL!!! Here is what Walder has to say about Goff being ranked so high.
Goff finished the season fifth in QBR and led an offense that ranked third in EPA per dropback, only behind the Chiefs and Bills. And he did it without a lot of help from teammates. His offensive line was average in pass protection, and while Amon-Ra St. Brown was very good, the Lions’ receiving group wasn’t particularly impressive as a whole.
The next Lions’ player to make the list is WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, who comes in at No. 43 on the list. St. Brown, who had an outstanding sophomore season, is actually ranked one spot above Los Angeles Rams DT Aaron Donald.
The third Lion to make the Top 100 most valuable player list is rookie, Aidan Hutchinson, who came on strong after a slow start to the season. Hutchinson came in at No. 80 on the list (My boy Logan Ward is gonna love this one!)
On one hand, Hutchinson’s play-to-play level impact took a while to get going, as his pass rush win rate was just 12% at edge, below average for the position. But the production? You can’t argue against it. Not just the 9.5 sacks, but the three interceptions as well. As a result, he generated minus-21.1 EPA as a nearest defender, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, an absurd number for a defensive lineman.
Nation, do you think any other Detroit Lions players deserved to be ranked? Are you surprised that Goff was ranked No. 15 overall?
