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5 NFL teams that improved more than the rest so far in 2023

By Sayre Bedinger

NFL Mock Draft 2023 - Frank Reich speaks with the media during the Carolina Panthers head coach introduction at Bank of America Stadium on January 31, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
NFL Mock Draft 2023 - Frank Reich speaks with the media during the Carolina Panthers head coach introduction at Bank of America Stadium on January 31, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 01: Cameron Sutton #20 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /

2. Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions are one of the most beloved teams in the NFL right now by the masses. Unless you’re a fan of a division rival team, and maybe even then, you probably watched the Lions with a lot of intrigue last season as they went from being a tremendous feature on HBO’s Hard Knocks to knocking on the door of the NFL playoffs.

The NFL playoff seeding rules, although expanded to accommodate more teams, failed the Lions miserably last season. They won nine games, beat the Packers in their regular season finale, and still didn’t make the playoffs while the eight-win Buccaneers did. And the Bucs got predictably bounced early.

The Lions are still knocking on the door of the postseason. At least, they are clear postseason contenders and I think most people would have said that before all the moves they made in 2023 NFL free agency. Have a look at their haul thus far:

  • SAF CJ Gardner-Johnson
  • CB Cam Sutton
  • CB Emmanuel Moseley
  • RB David Montgomery
  • OL Graham Glasgow

The Lions entered the 2023 offseason knowing full well they had to upgrade defensively, specifically in the secondary. I guess if that were their first test, they passed it with flying colors. You get the guy who had a league-leading six interceptions along with a couple of really good corners in Sutton and Moseley?

The Lions are building something special.

The decision to move on from running back Jamaal Williams was an interesting one, but I don’t hate the replacement with David Montgomery at all.

The Lions still have multiple first-round picks to work with, as well. Not only multiple first-round picks but multiple second-round picks on top of that. This team keeps on getting better and they’ve had an impressive offseason that’s only going to look better after the 2023 NFL Draft.

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