2007 Previews: Detroit Lions

Note: This is a team-by-team look previewing the 2007 season. These are my official thoughts on how I think things will play out.

Last year: 3-13 (fourth in NFC North)

Best addition: Edwin Mulitalo (G, Ravens)

Key personnel loss: Dre' Bly (CB, Broncos)

2007 outlook: I hate to say a guard is the biggest addition when the Lions made dozens of moves this offseason but it seems Matt Millen has added another vice to his penchant for drafting WR's as this year he signed two more RB's to go along with Kevin Jones (who's potential is only matched by his lack of durability).

On defense even more questions remain as the Lions let 7 players go from last year's squad and didn't do much to replace them. Bly may not be the player he is hyped to be but was still better than any other option Detroit had - and to trade him for a RB they didn't necessarily need makes me question Millen even more. But that is another topic for another time.

The one positive this year is that many fans will actually be paying attention to Detroit to see how 1st round pick Calvin Johnson meshes with super WR Roy Williams. At least the Lions will have something worth paying attention too.

Key to success: Where to begin. Seeing what progress the Lions were actually making would be a lot easier if anyone actually knew what type of team and/or emphasis Millen was trying to build and work towards. Whether it's drafting WR after WR in the first round every year or picking up two starting caliber RB's to compete with the back they already have, it seems Detroit's money would be better spent elsewhere. There is no way this team has success until a clear vision is defined.

Against Washington: After having its bye week four weeks into the season, the Skins will host the Lions the following week on Oct. 7. The two teams last met in Detroit in 2004, a 17-10 win in which Mark Brunell threw for only 58 yards.

Fantasy sleeper: Johnson. While Williams will get all of the fantasy publicity, Johnson will probably get a lot as well and could compete to be the NFL's offensive rookie of the year which should translate into big TD numbers. While rookie WR's can often be a gamble, Johnson is 6'5" and should have no problem using that height to score multiple red zone TD's, provided the Lions can actually get into the red zone. Look to take a flier on Johnson in the middle rounds when other team's No. 2 receivers start to come off the board.