We already know that the Detroit Lions are going to ground and pound next season. However, they are setting themselves up for some trickery and sleight of hand.

Here are two wild and crazy predictions.

Tight end Sam LaPorta will take more snaps behind center this season than rookie quarterback Hendon Hooker. And rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs will spend more time in the slot than second-year wide receiver Jameson Williams.

Let’s start with LaPorta. He was the emergency quarterback for the University of Iowa during the Music City Bowl. Lions General Manager Brad Holmes said he also played some wild cat for the Hawkeyes.

Holmes was also criticized for taking a running back in the first round. Notice he did not call Gibbs a running back. He said Gibbs was a weapon, a versatile player who could play wide receiver and in the back field.

The Lions also signed former Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery and undrafted University of Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim. Ibrahim is not a throw away signing. He received a $100,000 bonus and turned down offers from the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers to come to Detroit.

So, there are big plans for him.

He went undrafted because teams were concerned with previous injuries (Achilles in 2021) and workload. The Lions jumped at the opportunity. He could be a productive back up allowing Gibbs to see some time in the slot.

The Lions were a potent offense last season, but you should never stand pat in the NFL. For example, LaMar Jackson is one of the best running quarterbacks in the league. But the Baltimore Ravens vow to pass more this season.

The Lions have one of the best offensive lines in the league, but they will show wrinkles the league is not prepared for.

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For more from the author Terry Foster, check him out on Twitter here: @terryfosterdet

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