Detroit Lions: How free agency moves will affect their draft strategy

The Detroit Lions have started re-shuffling their roster. How will these moves affect what they do in the NFL Draft?

The Detroit Lions have wasted little time trying to re-mold their roster with the advent of free agency. However, it seems to have left more questions than answers at this point

The Lions came to agreements with free agent linebackers Devon Kennard and Christian Jones from the New York Giants and Chicago Bears respectively as well as former Seattle Seahawks cornerback, DeShawn Shead. They also re-signed linebacker Nick Bellore, cornerback Nevin Lawson and safety Tavon Wilson as well as releasing tight end Eric Ebron.

None of those moves were completely unexpected, but there are moves they haven’t made that we did expect.

The Lions still need help on the offensive line, defensive line, running back and now at tight end.

Now bear in mind that free agency isn’t over and there will still be opportunities to make more moves, but what hasn’t been accomplished so far has changed the direction many of us believed they would go in the draft. To say the least.

I was having lunch with a friend of mine who suddenly said, ‘You know, the Lions could still draft Harold Landry from Boston College. It is a possibility despite signing Kennard.’

My first thought was that he was patronizing me because I believe that Landry would be a perfect fit as a hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end. Which is exactly the role that Devon Kennard will play in Matt Patricia’s defense.

Now I liked the signing of Kennard. He is a great fit for the defense the Lions will run under Patricia and for a coach that has a history of getting the most out of his players. Kennard’s ability to be a 3-4 outside linebacker then switch to a pass-rushing end in a 4-3 is made for this scheme.

However, I decided to ask my friend if he knew what makes a 3-4 defense function at it’s peak efficiency. He answered almost without thought by saying it was the linebackers. I congratulated him that he had indeed come up with the number two key to making a 3-4 defense work.

I then also pointed out that drafting Landry would give the Lions book-end players that can play outside yet still put their hand in the dirt when needed and most importantly, get to opposing passers.

He then gave that smug ear-to-ear smile that just cried out that he wanted me to stand up and applaud him.

That’s when I lowered the boom.

More from SideLion Report

The number one key to making a 3-4 defense work is the play of the nose-tackle. Now there are still players available in free agency that would be a good fit, but the number one piece the Lions need in order to play a 3-4 defense is most likely not on the roster at present.

Haloti Ngata would have been a viable option, but he has chosen to join the Philadelphia Eagles. This leaves A’Shawn Robinson who is better suited to play tackle in a 4-3 defense as the Lions top interior defensive lineman.

In other words, unless the Lions break through with one or two signings that can play nose-tackle, this means Detroit is now officially in line to select one with their top pick in the draft.

Vita Vea from Washington would represent the best the draft has to offer and has been very favorably compared to a young Haloti Ngata who used to wreak havoc on a weekly basis in the NFL. Vea is projected to go off the board somewhere in the ballpark of the Lions pick at number 20.

If he is selected before Detroit, the favorite to do so is the Dallas Cowboys who are picking just one spot ahead of the Lions at number 19. Which means if Vea is the Lions man, they may have to trade away one of their valuable and few draft picks to move up a couple of spots to get him.

If not then they will most likely have to consider Da’Ron Payne from Alabama who could fill the position or possibly Maurice Hurst of Michigan if he is cleared of his heart irregularities, who is a quick disruptive force in the middle, but not a true nose-tackle.

The Lions have become better at linebacker and in the secondary already in free agency, but there are still questions on offense and at defensive tackle. One way or another Lions general manager Bob Quin will need to find some answers.

Next: Lions must show patience in 2018 free agent market

Yet until they are able to find players that can fit into Matt Patricia’s multiple defensive scheme and give them a strong presence on the interior of the defensive line, whether it’s in a 4-3 or 3-4, the defense will keep the Lions from having any chance of contending.

Home/Lions Draft