Longtime NFL writer Pete Prisco of CBS Sports released his annual ranking of the NFL's Top 100 players on Friday -- and two just Detroit Lions made the list: Penei Sewell at No. 66, behind eight other offensive tackles, and Amon-Ra St. Brown at No. 83, behind 16 other wide receivers.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings, who are projected to finish second to the Lions in the NFC North, had four players make the list -- plus two more as honorable mention -- including offensive tackle Chistian Darrisaw at No. 58.
Jon Jansen says he would "100 percent" take Sewell over Darrisaw -- and over Chargers tackle Rashawn Slater, who came in at No. 51:
"Yeah, he's at right tackle right now and left tackle is the money spot on the offensive line, I get that, but Penei Sewell has shown that in his rookie year at the last minute he can flip over and play the left side, he's got that athletic ability, played against a Bosa in Week 1 and played very well, and then moved back to the right and has been dominant. He should be much higher than 66."
St. Brown, meanwhile, had more catches last season than all but four of the receivers ranked ahead of him and more yards than seven of them. The three receivers ranked directly ahead of him were Tee Higgins (79) of the Bengals, Chris Olave (72) of the Saints and DeVonta Smith (69) of the Eagles.
Jansen says that after hearing St. Brown "go down the list of 16 receivers who were taken ahead of him (in the draft), I wonder if he's going to memorize the 16 receivers that were picked ahead of him" on this list.
The only honorable mention for the Lions was Aidan Hutchinson, runner-up for Defensive Rookie of the Year to Sauce Gardner (who ranked No. 15). Pro Bowlers Jared Goff and Frank Ragnow were completely omitted.
Jansen says Goff "should at a minimum be honorable mention, if you have Justin Fields on this list." Fields, at No. 78, was one of nine quarterbacks on the list. Goff had a better passer rating last season than all but three of them.
As a team, the Lions are getting plenty of respect from the national media. And from Vegas, where they're favored to win the NFC North.
"We've heard they're the darling of the offseason, they're the most stable team in the NFC North," says Jansen. "But if you think we're going to be this as a team yet you think (most of) the key components of our offense and our defense don't rank in the top 100, how much respect are the Lions actually getting?"
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