Starters: The rankings for the 32 teams are based on the five projected starters for Game 1. That means before teams get hit by injuries, and the Lions were hit hard last year. Injuries forced them to use 10 different starting combinations.

With training camp opening Friday, the Lions are better right now with a healthy starting five than they were even when camp opened last year. They were without left tackle Taylor Decker, who missed all of camp and the first eight games with an injury sustained in the offseason program.

Upgrades: Having Decker back at the start is the biggest one. Drafting Frank Ragnow to play left guard allows Graham Glasgow to open the season at center, his natural position. He played left guard and center his first two years.

North rankings: The Lions' ranking is the highest in the division. The Packers are ninth, Bears 13th and defending division champion Vikings 28th.

Quinn's building project: It has been a three-step, three-year project that should pay off this season. It never ends, but it's in good shape as it stands now.

Step 1 was drafting three offensive linemen in 2016 – Decker in the first round, Glasgow in the third and Joe Dahl in the fifth.

Step 2 was signing two priority free agents in 2017 to be starters – right guard T.J. Lang, who made the Pro Bowl last season, and right tackle Rick Wagner.