No matter what happens the rest of the season, whether or notthey’re able to capitalize on Sunday’s stunning deconstruction of the New England Patriots, the Detroit Lions have a bright future ahead thanks to two recent draft picks who should make for a strong offensive nucleus alongside quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Kenny Golladay and Kerryon Johnson, Day 2 picks in the last two NFL drafts, are two of the biggest reasons the Lions (1-2) are suddenly optimistic about their place in the NFC standings.

Golladay caught six passes for 53 yards and scored his team-leading second touchdown of the season in Sunday’s 26-10 win over the Patriots. Johnson ran for 101 yards on 16 carries and became the second youngest Lion ever with a 100-yard rushing game, behind only Barry Sanders.

Together, Golladay and Johnson — the Lions’ Go-Jo, if you will — brought life to an offense that sputtered through the first two weeks of the season but still has the potential to be one of the best in the NFL.

“They’re showing up,” defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois said. “It doesn’t matter if they’re young or not, they’re showing up.”

As is often the case with NFL stars, Golladay and Johnson have been showing up since the moment they arrived in Allen Park.

More on Lions:

Bob Quinn has been building O-Line — it finally worked

Lions prove they aren't dead in win over Patriots

A third-round pick out of Northern Illinois last year, Golladay had one of the more memorable starts to his Lions career with four catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns in a win over the Arizona Cardinals to open the 2017 season.

His signature play came on a diving 45-yard touchdown catch against Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel, and if weren’t for a hamstring injury that kept him out of five games, he might have challenged Calvin Johnson’s rookie numbers of 48 catches and 756 yards.

Now in Year 2, Golladay, who at 6 feet 4 and 213 pounds is one of the more physically imposing receivers in the NFL, is on pace for 101 catches and 1,365 yards, numbers not seen by a Lions receiver since Johnson’s All-Pro season of 2013.

And while, yes, it’s only three weeks into the season, it’s not a stretch to say Golladay is becoming Stafford’s preferred target in a deep and diverse receiving corps that also features Golden Tate and Marvin Jones.

Mitch Albom:Lions' domination of Patriots anomaly or new trend?

On Sunday, Golladay beat top Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore for an important second-quarter touchdown with the Lions once again bogged down in the red zone.

He motioned into the formation, ran a shallow drag route across the line, and had just enough strength to extend the ball past the goal line when Gilmore met him on the catch and wrestled him to the ground.

While Golladay’s touchdown helped propel Stafford to his most efficient passing day of the season, it was Johnson, the rookie second-round pick out of Auburn, who was the day’s true star.

Johnson gained 5 or more yards on nine of his 16 carries, and he showed the elusiveness and acceleration he’d been wowing observers with since the start of training camp.

“I think he just does everything well,” Stafford said. “He can catch the ball out of the backfield, he’s a smart player, he’s got good vision. He’s a slippery runner. He’s got probably a little bit more strength than people give him credit for, a little bit more speed. It doesn’t maybe jump off the page to you, but when he’s out there he’s really efficient and does some really nice things.”

More:Stock watch: Rookies Kerryon Johnson, Frank Ragnow rising

Jean Francois said he was sold on Johnson’s potential one day early last month when the rookie reversed field in a red-zone drill and scored a touchdown in practice.

“He’s got great vision,” Jean Francois. “I remember seeing it in camp one time, when he made a cut back, he ran to the left, all the way, stopped, cut that thing all the way back to the right. When I saw him do that, I took my hat off I was like, ‘This kid’s got vision. He can see.' And to be able to do it as young as he is now, I can only imagine what his vision will get throughout the season, even throughout the years what it’ll look like.”

Even better to imagine is what the Lions will be once Golladay and Johnson take on more prominent roles.

Golladay, who turns 25 in November, still needs to refine his route running. If he can do that, his big frame and great hands should make him one of the better downfield threats in the NFL.

Johnson, who’ll play the entire season at age 21, is stuck in a timeshare with LeGarrette Blount and Theo Riddick for now, though he’s clearly the best and most complete of the Lions’ running backs.

The Lions don't appear to be in any hurry to consolidate their running backs reps, and that may be wise considering Johnson's injury history. But if that ever happens, 100-yard rushing games may not be an anomaly anymore.

For now, Golladay and Johnson have their roles, and the Lions have two talented young players to lean on now and build around in the future.

Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Download our Lions Xtra app for free on Apple and Android!