Detroit Lions’ 5 Most Irreplaceable Players Heading Into 2015 NFL Training Camp

Detroit Lions’ 5 Most Irreplaceable Players Heading Into 2015 NFL Training Camp

By Ryan O'Bleness

July 16, 2015

Detroit Lions’ 5 Most Irreplaceable Players Heading Into 2015 NFL Training Camp

Detroit Lions’ 5 Most Irreplaceable Players Heading Into 2015 NFL Training Camp — Each NFL team has a few guys that define its roster. These players are invaluable to their franchise and would be near impossible to replace. Some are superstars, while others may be more along the lines of unsung heroes. These five athletes for the Detroit Lions are the team’s most irreplaceable players.

Each NFL team has a few guys that define its roster. These players are invaluable to their franchise and would be near impossible to replace. Some are superstars, while others may be more along the lines of unsung heroes. These five athletes for the Detroit Lions are the team’s most irreplaceable players.

5. Golden Tate, WR

Golden Tate, WR

5. Golden Tate, WR

Golden Tate, WR — After spending his first four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, Tate exploded in a pass-heavy offense in 2014. In his first season in Detroit, Tate led the team in receptions (99) and receiving yards (1,331). He developed chemistry with quarterback Matthew Stafford last season. Heading into 2015, Tate is one half of one of the league’s scariest wide receiver tandems. He was also voted into the NFL Network’s Top 100 Players list (No. 85).

After spending his first four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, Tate exploded in a pass-heavy offense in 2014. In his first season in Detroit, Tate led the team in receptions (99) and receiving yards (1,331). He developed chemistry with quarterback Matthew Stafford last season. Heading into 2015, Tate is one half of one of the league’s scariest wide receiver tandems. He was also voted into the NFL Network’s Top 100 Players list (No. 85).

4. Ezekiel Ansah, DE

Ezekiel Ansah, DE

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4. Ezekiel Ansah, DE

Ezekiel Ansah, DE — Ansah may be a surprise on this list to some, but for those who regularly watch the Lions, it is a no-brainer. Ansah is an absolute freak of an athlete. At 6-foot-5, 278 pounds, he has great size and length. Through two seasons, he has 81 tackles, 15.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. He was not listed on the Top 100 list, but there is a high chance he will be on the 2016 list. Look for him to produce in a big way during his third season.

Ansah may be a surprise on this list to some, but for those who regularly watch the Lions, it is a no-brainer. Ansah is an absolute freak of an athlete. At 6-foot-5, 278 pounds, he has great size and length. Through two seasons, he has 81 tackles, 15.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. He was not listed on the Top 100 list, but there is a high chance he will be on the 2016 list. Look for him to produce in a big way during his third season.

3. Glover Quin, FS

Glover Quin, FS

3. Glover Quin, FS

Glover Quin, FS — Quin emerged as one of the NFL’s top safeties in 2014. He led the league with seven interceptions, en route to his first career Pro Bowl last season. Quin also recorded 73 tackles and 10 pass deflections. The No. 88 player on the Top 100 list, Quin will look to continue his great play from a season ago. He was vital in the turnaround of Detroit's defense, which ranked as the league’s second best in total defense.

Quin emerged as one of the NFL’s top safeties in 2014. He led the league with seven interceptions, en route to his first career Pro Bowl last season. Quin also recorded 73 tackles and 10 pass deflections. The No. 88 player on the Top 100 list, Quin will look to continue his great play from a season ago. He was vital in the turnaround of Detroit's defense, which ranked as the league’s second best in total defense.

2. DeAndre Levy, OLB

DeAndre Levy, OLB

2. DeAndre Levy, OLB

DeAndre Levy, OLB — Levy likely falls into the “unsung heroes” category. Perhaps the biggest Pro Bowl snub of 2014, Levy recorded a career high 151 total tackles. Levy was also on the player-voted NFL Top 100 list (No. 68). He was recently named as the NFL’s No. 4 best tackler, according to NFL.com as well. He has great instincts at outside linebacker and it shows with his 12 career interceptions. If he continues to play at this level, he will make the Pro Bowl.

Levy likely falls into the “unsung heroes” category. Perhaps the biggest Pro Bowl snub of 2014, Levy recorded a career high 151 total tackles. Levy was also on the player-voted NFL Top 100 list (No. 68). He was recently named as the NFL’s No. 4 best tackler, according to NFL.com as well. He has great instincts at outside linebacker and it shows with his 12 career interceptions. If he continues to play at this level, he will make the Pro Bowl.

1. Calvin Johnson, WR

Calvin Johnson, WR

1. Calvin Johnson, WR

Calvin Johnson, WR — Johnson turns 30 in late-September, but he is still one of the most physically gifted players around. He was hurt in 2014, and is coming off of a “down” year – in which he still had 71 receptions, 1,077 yards and eight touchdowns – for Megatron standards. He ranked No. 6 on the Top 100 list, after being ranked No. 2 going into the 2014 season. Johnson is not only Detroit’s most irreplaceable player; he is one of the NFL’s best talents.

Johnson turns 30 in late-September, but he is still one of the most physically gifted players around. He was hurt in 2014, and is coming off of a “down” year – in which he still had 71 receptions, 1,077 yards and eight touchdowns – for Megatron standards. He ranked No. 6 on the Top 100 list, after being ranked No. 2 going into the 2014 season. Johnson is not only Detroit’s most irreplaceable player; he is one of the NFL’s best talents.

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