Detroit Lions: Draft looms large after free agency flurry
The Detroit Lions have addressed some of their primary needs via free agency. The NFL Draft offers an injection of youth, but where do they improve?
The Detroit Lions have made a flurry of signings in the second phase of free agency. As of Thursday, the Lions have made five notable signings on defense, and another three on offense. All of them seem to lessen the need to draft certain positions.
However, these free agents should mostly be seen as temporary, rotational players. What do the Lions still need to do in the draft to solidify their weak areas? Let’s get into it.
The aforementioned signings do not include re-signing of some of our own players, tagging Ezekiel Ansah, or other in-house measures taken to improve the 2018-2019 Detroit Lions. Jake Rudock, our backup quarterback, was re-signed, too. As were about eight other players, list here.
In total, what we can see unfold is a plan that we all should have expected of general manager, Bob Quinn. Quinn will sign players who fit our system(s), won’t overpay, and that build depth. Basically, he’s running the Patriots’ playbook for the offseason. So far, so good.
The Lions have approximately $15 million in remaining cap space, not counting whatever defensive tackle, Ricky-Jean Francois gets. What do those signings mean for both sides of the ball, and what’s left to address?
Offense
The entire offense flows through quarterback, Matt Stafford, and everyone knows it. Keeping him healthy, and providing some balance to keep teams honest seems to be the order of the day. The pass protection was poor, and the running game finished last.
After waiving fan whipping boy, Eric Ebron, who subsequently signed with the Indianapolis Colts, the Lions went out and got Luke Willson. Willson is a Canadian-born tight end who grew up near Windsor, Ontario. As a boy, he grew up a Lions fan. Willson would later be coached by a former Lions tight end, David Sloan, in college, at Rice University.
Although drafted in the fifth round by Seattle, Willson is an elite athlete at the tight end position. He ran a 4.51 forty yard dash, and bested Ebron in every measurable, when turning pro. This effectively replaces Ebron with a similar skill set, while saving the team about six million dollars. That’s a smart move by Quinn.
That doesn’t mean that Willson won’t drop an occasional pass, but I’d be surprised if he engenders the same sort of vitriol that marked the Ebron era. Stay woke, Luke.
Other signings
The other signings, running back, LeGarrette Blount, and guard, Kenny Wiggins, combined with bringing back T.J. Jones as the fourth wide receiver, address some key deficiencies. Blount gives the Lions a pile-driver, thumper, inside runner for short yardage situations, where they were abysmal last year. Wiggins will compete for the left guard position, likely vacated by Graham Glasgow, as he is sure to be the starting center with Travis Swanson‘s departure.
Keeping T.J. Jones gives the Lions a versatile fourth wideout capable of playing either in the slot or out wide. Jones also gives needed depth, as well as still having upside as a developing player. He accumulated 399 yards and a score last year.