The conference championship game proceeded as planned. Players and coaches are left with a sense of “unfinished business” as they look forward to the 2024 campaign.
The ability of the easily-named players to perform as expected will be crucial if the Lions are to advance to the Super Bowl next season, and if they do, perhaps even win it.
However, without the contributions of people who aren’t celebrities or well recognized as major players, success and victories cannot be achieved.
These kinds of underappreciated players stand up and have an impact during a single pivotal moment, a run of games, or even the entire season.
That being said, the upcoming season may see a significant influence from these four underappreciated Lions players.
In Week 14 of the previous season, Melifonwu fully returned to the Lions starting lineup, having finally recovered from a nagging hand ailment. It would be an understatement to say that he delivered.
He was reliable in every aspect, but during that time he stood out as a blitzer in particular, recording five sacks, including postseason games.
From Week 14 through the Divisional Round of the playoffs, he was Pro Football Focus’ seventh-highest graded safety in the league (80.3 overall), which made it simple for PFF to identify him as their early breakout prospect for the Lions in 2024.
Throughout his first three seasons, Melifonwu’s main plot points have been injuries and a change in position. As long as he can stay on the field, he will have the opportunity to prove that he can perform at the level he did late in the previous season over the course of a full and healthy season.A full-fledged breakout is not impossible.
