Every NFL team’s breakout star for this season

Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Detroit Lions – Alim McNeill

There is so much to like about the Detroit Lions right now. This team is on the up and up, with players getting excited to progress with the rest of the franchise. Even with gambling suspensions and subsequent cuts, the excitement level isn’t dropping in the Motor City. The NFC North is wide open, which is driving some of the hype.

There are some fun offensive players on the Lions, but we’re going to focus on a defensive name. Alim McNeill, like many of the names on this list, made changes to his workout regime this offseason to become a better player. The defensive tackle is adding to his flexibility, which will help him get through the offensive line.

If McNeill can be a true disruptor on the defensive line, it can put this defense in a different position. The Lions allowed the second-most yards per passing attempt last season. That’s because the line wasn’t getting pressure on the quarterback. Teams felt empowered to throw all over the Lions, and it worked.

Last season, McNeill’s role didn’t focus on getting to the passer. That will change this year. Instead of being exclusively a nose tackle, the Lions will try him at different positions in his third NFL season. That will lead to more sacks, more pressure, and more defensive impact.