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Last season Roy Williams became the first WR since 1999 to represent Detroit in the Pro Bowl.

EXPERTS' PICKS

The Lions finished third in the NFC North last season with a 7-9 record. For Lions and NFC North coverage, visit Kevin Seifert's NFC North blog | Discuss Lions | MAG Preview

ANALYST	PREDICTION
Jeffri Chadiha ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 4  The Lions haven't had a winning season since president/CEO Matt Millen assumed control of the team in 2001. Don't expect that trend to change this fall.
John Clayton ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 3  Mike Martz lost his job as Lions offensive coordinator because he didn't run the ball enough. But losing Martz could cost the team the six points a game it gained during his two years calling plays. If that happens, the Lions are back to the six-win level.
Tim Graham ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 4  Is it possible the Lions got even worse? Yes, because the rest of the division improved, while the Lions continue to tinker.
Jeremy Green Scouts Inc.	DIVISION FINISH: 4  Without coordinator Mike Martz (now in San Francisco), I expect the Lions' offense and veteran QB Jon Kitna to struggle early and often this season. That will put too much pressure on a defense that is lacking in star power across the board.
Paul Kuharsky ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 4  A simplified offense and an emphasis on the run game are good ideas. A better stable of running backs would have been, too.
Matt Mosley ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 4  A much more balanced offense this season? Wake me up when it's over.
Mike Sando ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 3  Jon Kitna and Chuck Darby give the Lions great leadership on both sides of the ball. We can't be sure if either will be around by the time the Lions are ready to win.
Kevin Seifert ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 3  Slowly, Rod Marinelli is effecting a culture change and is making the Lions a tougher team. It's not clear how many wins that will translate to, but the Lions are going in the right direction.
James Walker ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 4  Does the best quarterback in the division reside in Detroit? Maybe. But the Lions are weak at so many other positions that they won't be able to get out of the basement of the NFC North.
Seth Wickersham ESPN The Magazine	DIVISION FINISH: 4  Jon Kitna has thrown 42 interceptions the past two years. The Lions will need more than a new offensive scheme and a retooled secondary to reach the playoffs in this division.
Bill Williamson ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 3  The Lions collapsed in the past year, ruining some serious progress. Detroit may not be a playoff team, but expect it to be on the right track. Watch for Calvin Johnson to have a monster year.
Matt Williamson Scouts Inc.	DIVISION FINISH: 4  The Lions are, well, the Lions. In constant rebuilding mode, this roster doesn't appear any more daunting than in previous seasons. On a positive note, the tandem of Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson will contend for the title of best pair of wideouts in the league.
Pat Yasinskas ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 4  Once again, Jon Kitna has guaranteed the Lions will be in the playoffs. Once again, he'll fall short. Somebody please ask Barry Sanders to lift the curse.
	CONSENSUS DIVISION FINISH: 4 | NFL standings

BEST OF THE LIONS

Best decision: Coach Rod Marinelli dumped his pass-happy offense in favor of a more balanced attack, replacing offensive coordinator Mike Martz with Jim Colletto. It might take some time to adjust, but a strong running game more closely matches Marinelli's traditional philosophy.

Best linebacker (other than Ernie Sims): Hah, got you. Sims is one of the NFC's best, but otherwise the position is a big question mark. Marinelli wanted to sign free agent Takeo Spikes, but he was lured to San Francisco. You have to figure rookie Jordon Dizon will wind up a starter -- either in the middle or on the strong side.

Best player: Calvin Johnson. By the end of the season, Johnson might be the best player in the division -- and yes, that includes Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson. Johnson has recovered from a back injury that plagued him in 2007 and has made a big leap entering his sophomore season. Watch out.

Best running back: Kevin Smith. It's only a matter of time before Smith takes over the Lions' running game. Veteran Tatum Bell might be in the mix early, but Smith has a smooth and natural running style that fits well in the Lions' new zone scheme.

-- Kevin Seifert, ESPN.com

SCOUTS INC.'S FAB FIVE

Scouts Inc. has evaluated and graded more than 2,400 NFL players heading into the 2008 season, giving Insiders a leg up on the competition with exclusive grades, alerts and scouting reports.
Top five players	ANALYSIS
1. Roy Williams Wide receiver 6-3 | 211	(Grade 79) He has deceptive speed off the line of scrimmage and gets on top of defenders quickly. He tracks the deep ball well and can adjust in full stride. He creates matchup problems for most opposing coordinators.
2. Cory Redding Defensive tackle 6-4 | 295	(78) He utilizes great quickness, foot agility and balance to penetrate gaps and disrupt plays in the backfield. Redding has quick hands and is adept at slipping blocks, separating and getting to the pile.
3. Ernie Sims Linebacker 6-0 | 225	(77) He is an undersized weakside linebacker but plays with a high motor and is extremely active to the ball. Sims has excellent quickness, balance, speed and agility to close on the play.
4. Leigh Bodden Cornerback 6-1 | 193	(75) He had a down season in 2007, but when on top of his game and playing at full strength, he is a force. He is a fluid athlete who can turn and run with most wide receivers.
5. Calvin Johnson Wide receiver 6-5 | 239	(75) He is a big, strong, athletic receiver who improved as a route-runner during his rookie season in 2007. He has very good speed to stretch deep zones, but he isn't explosive. Johnson has a high ceiling.
Player grading scale: Elite (90-100), outstanding (80-89), solid starter (75-79), good starter (70-74)

SCOUTS INC.'S ANALYSIS

Best play option Mike Martz is gone, but the Lions will still run plays designed to get WRs Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson the ball. More best plays

Strengths

Wide receiver: Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson give the Lions excellent size and speed on the perimeter. Both are extremely athletic and able to create big plays by exploiting mismatches against smaller defenders. Quick, sure-handed backups Mike Furrey and Shaun McDonald are good complementary players who excel working under coverage.

Better balance on offense: The addition of rookie OT Gosder Cherilus and rookie RB Kevin Smith are important steps in re-establishing a ground game. Both have the size and strength the coaching staff craves, and their youth and relative health should end the constant rotation of players (and resulting lack of continuity) at right tackle and in the backfield. New offensive coordinator Jim Colletto will use his tight ends and fullbacks in traditional roles, which should keep QB Jon Kitna from taking so many hits.

Secondary: With CBs Leigh Bodden and Brian Kelly joining incumbent starting CB Travis Fisher, the Lions' perimeter coverage appears to be in far better shape than it was a year ago. Bodden and Kelly have extensive experience in Cover 2 schemes similar to Detroit's, and both are good zone-cover men and run-support defenders. SS Dwight Smith and Kalvin Pearson add depth and experience, and their toughness and energy will nicely complement starting FS Daniel Bullocks and SS Gerald Alexander.

Weaknesses

Marginal pass-rushers: DE Jared DeVries and Dewayne White had a modest 6.5 sacks apiece in 2007, and both will miss the inside presence of DT Shaun Rogers. Lions edge-rushers faced fewer double-teams and less attention from blocking backs when opponents had to find solutions for Rogers' power and quickness.

RB depth: The Lions are excited about the addition of Smith, but they have a lot riding on his ability to learn the system quickly and stay healthy. A lack of depth at running back could be disastrous for a team that wants to remain balanced on offense.

LB depth: Concerns at linebacker prompted the Lions to investigate the possibility of adding veteran Takeo Spikes, who ultimately signed with the 49ers. The team also brought back Teddy Lehman after he was released by Tampa Bay, but he was almost immediately placed on injured reserve (hamstring). A team can never have enough linebackers -- nonstarters often are heavily involved in the kicking game -- so Detroit is starting off on the wrong foot.

-- Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles.