The Detroit Lions biggest position of need remains defensive tackle

When free agency opened last week, the Detroit Lions were in need of help at defensive tackle. One week later, that need actually grew larger.

The Detroit Lions have made a few moves here and there in free agency. Veteran running back LeGarrette Blount added to the roster.

A pair of linebackers, Christian Jones and Devon Kennard, joined the squad. The defensive backfield has a new face in cornerback DeShawn Shead.

These are good moves that will help the team, but they don’t address the team’s biggest need: defensive tackle.

On Monday, the team retained defensive tackle Christian Ringo, a move that helps provide some depth. Not a move that solves the problem of losing defensive tackle Haloti Ngata.

Losing Ngata wasn’t for lack of trying.

Sure, other positions on the roster still need attention, but none as big as defensive tackle for these Lions. Ngata was a force in the middle and a key piece for stopping opponents’ running game. We all saw what happened when Ngata went down with an injury and missed multiple games in 2017. It wasn’t pretty.

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Handing the franchise tag to defensive end Ziggy Ansah and re-signing defensive end Kerry Hyder Jr. helped bolster that position. The additions mentioned above at linebacker, cornerback and running back improved those positions as well. The Lions also signed guard Kenny Wiggins for depth on the interior offensive line. They aren’t done there, but that certainly helps.

The only position as close to desperation on this Lions team for help as defensive tackle is tight end. Cutting tight end Eric Ebron certainly left a hole. But the Lions starting wide receivers combined with tight end Michael Roberts can help cover that need.

The Lions will surely address the tight end position again before the season kicks off. They’ve indicated as much by bringing in free agent tight ends Brent Celek, Luke Willson and Logan Paulsen. They will most likely add another player at the position in April’s draft.

Still, the lack of a run-stopping presence at defensive tackle will have the bigger impact on the Detroit Lion’s chances at winning football games than any other position of need on this roster. In 2017, opposing teams frequently put up 150+ rushing yards, breaking 200 yards on the ground many more times than any Lions player or fan would like.

And the Lions are starting their research …

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If opposing offenses can routinely grind out yards on the ground and control the clock, they can continue to control the game. Therefore, addressing defensive tackle is the biggest need for the Detroit Lions after one week of free agency. With impact options not available at this point – or, in the case of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, not affordable – look for the team to find a solution in the draft.