Detroit Lions: Defensive line is still their top need
By Robert Jones
The only other name to watch is Kony Ealy who at age 26 has plenty of talent, unfortunately his production hasn’t matched it. He was fairly dominant in Super Bowl 50 as a member of the Carolina Panthers, but his inconsistency is the question.
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Meanwhile there are more options at defensive tackle. Haloti Ngata has said he would like to return to Detroit and if the price is right he could very well be back.
However, there are other possibilities like former New York Jet and Seattle Seahawk, Sheldon Richardson, a player with scheme versatility which Matt Patricia loves. Richardson can be a 4-3 tackle or a 3-4 end. He would command a financial commitment to get, but at age 27 there should be more left in the tank.
Former Tennessee Titan DaQuan Jones is only 26, and at 320 lbs is a dominant run-stuffer, but can also push the pocket. He had 3.5 sacks in only 12 games last season and is the type of bull-elephant that Patricia like to anchor the middle of his defensive line. Like Ngata, however, he is coming off of a torn biceps.
Other possible names to watch are former New York Giant Jay Bromley, who is a load at 314 lbs and at age 26 could develop nicely with the right coaching or maybe former Carolina Panther, Star Lotulelei, who hasn’t produced as expected since being their first round pick in 2013, but again, may develop with a change of scenery and different coaching.