NFC North power rankings: Packers still have work to do after draft

4. Detroit Lions

This is a big year for the Detroit Lions. It’s Bob Quinn’s fourth season as general manager and Matt Patricia’s second as head coach. This is hardly a team in full rebuild mode, but they actually took multiple steps in the wrong direction last season, going from consecutive 9-7 finishes under Jim Caldwell (good for a wild-card berth in 2016), but only won six games in Patricia’s first year.

The front office has responded by being aggressive in free agency, signing former Patriots edge rusher Trey Flowers to a five-year, $90 million contract. They also signed cornerback Justin Coleman to a multi-year deal and brought in former Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola. But the Lions have lost talent, too, with Glover Quin and T.J. Lang both departing, and they traded away Golden Tate last season.

Quinn and Patricia are bringing a Patriots style to Detroit, but can they start replicating some of the Patriots’ success? This is a big season for both of them. The Lions have arguably the second best quarterback in the NFC North with Matthew Stafford, but they have been underachieving for a while now.

In a competitive division, the Lions will look to take a big step forward and get back into playoff contention.