Detroit Lions: Burning Questions
By Mike Payton
The Detroit Lions are quickly reaching the midway point of the NFL’s offseason.
The NFL Draft is less than a month away and then players report to camp a couple of months after. Things are moving incredibly fast. It seems at times as though the season ended yesterday and Bob Quinn was just brought in as GM. Now here we are three months down the road and Lions fans find themselves with more questions than answers yet again.
That’s just what today’s post is about. The uncertainties that lay ahead for the Detroit Lions. Today’s post is about those questions we just have to have the answers to right now. The burning questions. Let’s not waste anymore time. We’ll jump right in with a major concern.
What are the Lions doing on the offensive line?
Going into the offseason, every fan and analyst you could find knew that the Lions needed to make their offensive line their top need in free agency and the draft. Here we are weeks into free agency and the Lions have seemed to have dropped the ball on this. They first missed on Russell Okung, and then failed to go after Kelvin Beachum. This morning they signed versatile lineman Geoff Schwartz. While I do expect him to start, he is not the long-term answer to the problem. We’ll have to see what the Lions will do at tackle in the draft.
Will Stafford be able to continue his upward trend?
Regardless of how you feel about Matthew Stafford, there’s no denying that former first overall pick is finally starting to look the part. Stafford had arguably the best year of his career in 2015 despite the Lions having such a down year. Stafford finished the season in the top ten of every major category except QBR and was ranked as a top five quarterback by Pro Football Focus in the second half of the season. Can Stafford keep this going? Kind of brings us to our next question.
What’s life without Calvin going to be like?
Unless you’re living under a rock, you know by now that Calvin Johnson is retired. Now prepare for every mainstream sports media outlet to remind of you of that all summer long every time the Lions are brought up. Prepare for them to tell you that this is why the Lions will miss the playoffs. Obviously you can’t replace Calvin. But this writer believes the Lions offense is about to be a lot more efficient as a whole in 2016.
With the addition of Marvin Jones and Jeremy Kerley, along with Golden Tate moving to the number one spot. The Lions actually have a pretty decent looking receiving core. The best part is that they are all sure handed. Also the Lions are expected to add another receiver in the draft. But don’t forget about Theo Riddick. The NFL’s number one receiving running back in 2015 will definitely be a big part of the Lions offense in 2016. Not to mention everyone’s favorite tight end Eric Ebron, who continues to improve every year. Stafford will definitely have plenty of places to put the ball in 2016. But the Lions must improve the running game around him and keep him on his feet.
What are the Lions doing in the draft?
Everyone has an opinion on what the Lions should do at 16. Some want a receiver, some want a defensive lineman, some want a defensive back and others want an offensive lineman. This writer personally would have his day made if the Lions took Louisville defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins at 16. But I also find myself intrigued by the possibility of moving draft picks around. Whether that’s up, down or back into the first round, its something the Lions could definitely do this year. Also my day would be made if the Lions are able to grab Northwestern Super back Dan Vitale at some point in the draft. We shall see what goes down in less than a month.
There are other questions out there I’m sure. Like will DeAndre Levy ever be the same again? But these are the ones we just have to know the answers to. I know I said the offseason is moving fast earlier, but we still have a long way to go before we can see some football in 2016.