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Detroit Lions roster preview: Special teams

By Matt Bosko

CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 19: Don Muhlbach #48 and Matt Prater #5 of the Detroit Lions celebrate after Prater kicked a 52 yd. field goal in the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on November 19, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Detroit Lions defeated the Chicago Bears 27-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 19: Don Muhlbach #48 and Matt Prater #5 of the Detroit Lions celebrate after Prater kicked a 52 yd. field goal in the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on November 19, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Detroit Lions defeated the Chicago Bears 27-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Lions’ roster is not complete without their key special teamers. Matt Prater, Sam Martin, and Don Muhlbach are one of the most consistent trios in the NFL.

Of all the position groupings, this is by far the most predictable. The Lions have one of the most reliable kickers in the game, a punter with All-Pro ability, and an ageless wonder snapping the ball to each of them.

LOCKS (3)

Matt Prater

Thank goodness for this guy. Prater joined the Lions as a free agent in 2014, and since then, has converted 104 of his 121 field-goal attempts. He’s as clutch as they come.

Last October, General Manager Bob Quinn wasted no time in ensuring that the Lions were Prater’s present and future. The 33-year-old kicker signed a three-year contract extension worth $11.4 million, which not only provided security at the position but also freed up some extra cap space for the Lions.

Sam Martin

Plenty of Lions fans were prepared to burn Martin at the stake last season. That seems a bit dramatic. Martin had a less-than-stellar year in 2017. He missed six games due to an offseason injury, and never quite returned to form

Just one year prior, Martin had one of the greatest seasons for a punter in NFL history. He averaged 48.5 yards per punt. He punted 62 times, allowing a mere total of 210 return yards. Only 35 of those punts were returnable, which means nearly half of his punts resulted in either a fair catch or were out of bounds. In all, opponents averaged just 3.3 yards per return.

Martin is primed for a bounce-back season in 2018. He is one of the most talented punters in the game, and early word out of camp is that he already returned to form.

Don Muhlbach

Death. Taxes. Don Muhlbach.

The most useless player in the history of Madden, Mulbach continues to be a key cog in for the Lions’ special teams. The long-snapper enters his 15th season with the franchise, with reliability and consistency among the main reasons.

Next: Michigan Wolverines greatest running backs

Head coach Matt Patricia and Quinn understand the importance of this group after years with the New England Patriots. The Lions appear very secure with their special teams’ personnel, and they should contribute in a big way this coming season.

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