Predicting the Detroit Lions’ offseason: Free agency and the draft
By Robert Jones
Free Agency continued …
Another move they may do as well is re-sign Haloti Ngata if the price is right. Along with Patricia and defensive line coach Bo Davis, Ngata would earn his money by mentoring these young bucks as well as creating the core of a very solid rotation in the middle of the defensive line.
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The Lions may also choose to find another linebacker that can play inside. The big names are Navarro Bowman and Avery Williamson, but they might be more interested in former Dallas Cowboy, Anthony Hitchens.
With the money the Cowboys will be doling out to keep defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, who they franchised, and defensive tackle David Irving, Hitchens is a luxury they can no longer afford.
Hitchens is also another of those ‘versatile’ players that Patricia loves. He can play on the outside as well as the inside, meaning his production never has to leave the field. He is also still young at age 26, so his best football could still be in front of him.
Another free agent to watch will be former New England Patriot corner back, Malcolm Butler. His relationship with Matt Patricia as well as his production would make him a perfect compliment to Darius Slay.
The caveat here is that this move is predicated on Butler’s willingness to sign a reasonable contract instead of just breaking the bank.