Detroit Lions: Sometimes free agency is tougher than the games

So this brings us to one final conclusion; Matt Patricia believes he may already have his answer to the Lions needs to anchor the middle of his defense which will feature both a 3-4 and 4-3 front at times.

It also leads us to believe the Lions will go ‘all in’ on a defensive tackle with their first pick in the draft, since depth will be imperative.

A’Shawn Robinson is a big boy with the size to man the middle of a 3-4 defense. He is also very talented even if he didn’t progress as expected this past season. The belief here is that where the Lions previous coaching regime failed, Patricia expects his staff will get the results from Robinson that will make him the premium player he has been projected to become.

Then add a Vita Vea from Washington or Da’Ron Payne of Alabama into the mix with the first pick in the draft and suddenly defensive tackle looks brighter. Of course injuries do happen in the NFL and depth is needed just for rotational purposes, but that would make a good foundation to build the middle of the defensive line on.

There is a lot of catching up for the Lions to do this offseason. The Minnesota Vikings have gone all in on quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency to be their signal-caller and even added to an already potent defense with the signing of former Seattle Seahawk and New York Jet defensive tackle, Sheldon Richardson.

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There is still plenty of time, but the Lions need to find a few more answers at defensive tackle or what will already be a very tough division to compete in may just run away from them before we even kick-off the season.