Predicting the Detroit Lions’ offseason: Free agency and the draft

On Offense

Almost all of the rumors seem to have the Lions keeping Glasgow at center where they believe he stacks up better. That means they are on the look-out for a guard to fill the hole. Josh Sitton, formerly of the Bears and Packers is still playing at a high level and being recruited by former Packer teammate turned Lion, T.J. Lang.

Yet at 32 he has plenty of wear on the tires. My suggestion, which goes with all the others I’ve made in staying with youth, would be another former Titan, Josh Kline. The truth is that the Colts Jack Mewhort would be my first choice, but he has had too many injury issues and the Lions don’t need that.

Kline on the other hand started out with, you guessed it, the New England Patriots before being waived. Tennessee decided to give him a try and he has developed into a very solid starter. He is better at pass-protection than run blocking, but given his development, he could be a very nice signing while still keeping the check books balanced for the Lions.

Finally, I would not be surprised to see the Lions double-down at the running back position. The draft is deep with good young backs, but because injuries happen, they will be very interested in finding at least two backs that can carry the load.

That being said, I will bypass Isaiah Crowell, who is extremely talented and still young, for former San Francisco 49er, Carlos Hyde. Crowell’s inconsistency is enough to drive any coach or fan mad.

Meanwhile Hyde has been productive behind subpar offensive lines in Frisco and until the stretch run this past year he hasn’t had a quarterback that could take some of the heat off him with a prolific passing game. Hyde is very dependable and could even carry the load if the Lions wanted him to, but I think that job will go to another player.