Detroit Lions: Draft looms large after free agency flurry
Remaining needs
Running back
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Blount’s one-year deal is a band-aid, nothing more. His close relationship with Patricia convinced him to choose the Motor City, but at 31, despite his insistence that he still, “has a lot of years and a lot of miles left on him“, another runner is needed. Thanks to Dave Birkett, of the Detroit Free Press, for that quote.
Look for the Lions to add one pretty quickly in the draft. If there are no edge players worth the #20 overall, a running back might start looking like a real possibility as early as the first round. Names like Derrius Guice, Sony Michel, Nick Chubb, and Rashaad Penny. Although, I still believe that the Lions will wait until round two or three for a runner.
I also wouldn’t put it past the Lions to look at two other positions on offense: tackle/guard, or tight end. They signed players who were primarily back-ups previous to landing in Detroit. Now, you have your only real chance to bring in fresh talent in April.
Tackle, tight end
I know from watching plenty of football that the old method Lions GM’s used, “Bring back everyone and cross your fingers that they play better”, was popular; and Quinn tried that last year with the running backs. They have the cap room and picks to go find some talent to upgrade this line. Swanson is gone. Wiggins will compete for a job.
If you watched five snaps the first half of last year, you know Detroit needs better options at tackle if Taylor Decker or another tackle goes down. I would say that a guy like Brandon Parker, a mid-round pick from North Carolina A&T, might be an intriguing selection. He could compete at guard, but also give you tackle size with some upside. Parker is still considered a fourth to fifth round prospect.
Ditto, Luke Willson is a good signing, but he cannot be the only guy aside from Michael Roberts who can play tight end. Ian Thomas, from Indiana, had some very good numbers and is flying under the radar, now. Thomas is a possible third round pick.