Detroit Lions: What we’ve learned in Free Agency so far
The “legal tampering” period of Free Agency has started and the Detroit Lions are starting to dig into their roster needs. What have we learned so far?
The Detroit Lions offseason plans are starting to show themselves now that phone calls to agents and players are legally allowed before contracts can become finalized on Wednesday.
Here’s what we’ve learned in the past 24 hours.
1. Running back is definitely a priority.
As reported by Adam Schefter on Twitter yesterday:
Before former Titans’ RB DeMarco Murray arrives in Detroit later today, former Panthers’ RB Jonathan Stewart is scheduled to visit first today with the Lions, per source. Detroit looking for RB help.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2018
This isn’t a surprise. Lions brass has made it known that there would be changes at the position. They wasted no time backing up that talk by bringing in former Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart for a visit and lining up a visit with former Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray. While Stewart is on his way to New York to talk to the Giants, Murray is meeting with the Lions today.
This isn’t the slam-dunk solution. Both running backs are older and bring a veteran presence to the table. But either player would be only one addition at the position. Running back is a young man’s position and the draft is still rich with talent ripe for the picking.
2. The team isn’t happy with the tight end situation.
New head coach Matt Patricia might be planning with general manager Bob Quinn to make the Lions offense similar to the New England Patriots’ two-tight end scheme. It’s been reported the team is interested in Philadelphia Eagles tight end Trey Burton.
I expected there to be a robust market for Eagles TE Trey Burton and it sounds like there is. About a half dozen serious suitors, sources say. One I've heard consistently for over a week now: Detroit Lions.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 12, 2018
Signing Burton with the two tight end scheme in mind would require the team to hold on to current tight end Eric Ebron. But we’ve already known that Ebron has been on the trading block. So, would Burton be an upgrade over Ebron? Possibly. But if you believe in the Pro Football Focus grading system, you’d get an interesting answer:
Fun fact: Eric Ebron and Trey Burton finished with the exact same @PFF grade in 2017 (75.6, t-13th)
— Pride of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) March 12, 2018
3. Malcolm Butler is on the team’s radar.
Guess who's interested in Malcolm Butler? Matt Patricia's Detroit Lions. Quite interested from what I'm told.
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) March 12, 2018
The irony of his old defensive coordinator, from the team that benched him during the Super Bowl, having interest in signing the talented free agent cornerback is strong. We might not know the details of what happened, but we do know that pairing former New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler with cornerback Darius Slay would be an exciting upgrade to this Lions defense.
It has been rumored the Houston Texans are also interested in Butler, so the competition could drive up his asking price. As such, the Lions are also reported to be bringing in Seattle Seahawks cornerback DeShawn Shead for a visit this week.
DeShawn Shead, who is expected to visit Detroit this week per @BradyHenderson, was officially cut today by Seattle.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) March 12, 2018
4. The interior of the defensive line is also a priority.
Again, this may be obvious, but the reported interest in Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Beau Allen shows the Lions are aware of the need to improve the defensive trenches. It’s not the high-profile circumstance of bringing in former Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. But so far, this Patriot-connected coach-GM tandem hasn’t shown interest in breaking the bank for free agents.
Next: Predicting the Lions’ offseason: Free agency, Draft
We’ll learn a lot more today and tomorrow before player’s new contracts can become official. Stay tuned and keep up to date with all the latest Free Agency moves and grades from FanSided by clicking here.