Ricky Wagner Signing Another Calculated Risk By Quinn

Marvin Jones & Ricky Wagner highlight Quinn’s approach as Lions GM

There are no sure things in NFL free agency, but you have to be aggressive to have any chance of landing a decent player. You also can’t be cheap. Bob Quinn knows that well after it was widely reported that the Lions have agreed to a mega-deal with Ricky Wagner, the right tackle previously with Baltimore, for $9 million a year.

Wagner is another prudent, yet expensive free agent acquisition for Quinn. It comes amid the uncertainty surrounding Riley Reiff, a decent, but not great starting offensive tackle. Reiff was much better on the right side in 2016, however, a big contract didn’t seem justified with Larry Warford’s future still up in the air.

Instead of signing Reiff out of need and overpaying him, they acquire arguably the best free agent right tackle on the market and somehow get both younger and better along the offensive line in one move. Reiff will get good money somewhere else in all likelihood, and it will be deserved. Quinn liked the idea of Wagner better, though, and who could blame him?

Last year, he made a similar move in acquiring Marvin Jones the day following Calvin Johnson’s retirement. Jones was considered the best free agent receiver on the market. It was a lot of money for Jones at around $8 million per season, but he filled an immediate hole, while still young enough to improve, and that he did. Jones had a career-best 930-yards, playing alongside Golden Tate, who quietly cracked the 1,000-yard mark himself in 2016.

There is a big risk with Wagner, too, as he is essentially the highest-paid right tackle in football. I know Lane Johnson makes $11 million per year, but that is accounting for his eventual switch to the left side. We don’t know the specifics of the Wagner deal until it becomes official soon. Still, that’s a lot of money for a right tackle. Especially, one that is switching teams, although a former relationship with Lions coach, Jim Caldwell, reportedly helped close the deal.

The point is, it’s worth it when you consider how talented Detroit’s offensive line can be. You have two bookend tackles with Taylor Decker and Ricky Wagner. One very solid center in Travis Swanson, when healthy. Those three, along with second-year guard, Graham Glasgow, and either Larry Warford or Laken Tomlinson at right guard would be formidable.

No, they aren’t exactly the Dallas Cowboys. But they could certainly make big strides up front next season, assuming they figure out the right guard situation. Detroit was coming into this period with over $30 to spend.

At least the Lions are spending that money on players that will improve this roster. Adding Ricky Wagner makes the Detroit Lions a better football team, something a good general manager should be concerned with above all else.

Other Lions News: Team tenders defensive lineman Kerry Hyder, wide receiver T.J. Jones, and LB/DE Brandon Copeland. Lions also agree to deal with linebacker Paul Worrilow — formerly with the Atlanta Falcons.

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