Detroit Lions: Draft looms large after free agency flurry
Defense
The more significant additions have been on the defensive side of the ball. Tackles, Sylvester Williams and Ricky-Jean Francois (who has not been officially added), linebackers, Devon Kennard and Christian Jones, and cornerback, DeShawn Shead, comprise the main haul.
End, Kerry Hyder, who missed 2017 with a knee tear, was also brought back. Ansah getting tagged returns our best, yet inconsistent, pass rusher. Several other members of last year’s team were also re-signed: cornerback, Nevin Lawson, tackle, Christian Ringo, and safety, Tavon Wilson.
The picture here shows that Quinn is retooling the defense according to the needs of new head coach, Matt Patricia. Many pieces of the 2017 squad had expiring contracts, which makes replacing underperforming members easy, provided you have options.
Remaining needs
Let me say this, I think the team looks better at defensive tackle, already. That was a huge, glaring need that has turned into a, “They don’t have young, All-Pro players, but they’re okay for now.” Youth is needed, star players are needed on the line, but the end position, as it was last year, is the big need up front.
D-line
The good news is there are some guys that the Lions might get. Marcus Davenport, has shot up draft boards, and has backed up the hype with solid play at the Senior Bowl and a good combine. Other popular mock draft picks for us include Harold Landry, Boston College, and Mo Hurst, University of Michigan. Hurst is actually a more attractive guy for a 3-4 team in need of an end/tackle type, though.
After the line, even with the Kennard, Jones, and Shead signings, the Lions aren’t deep in several areas. Again, there’s no “We don’t have a starter” alarm going off, but the need for youth and play-makers still exists. Kennard is an outside linebacker with experience, who can run. Jones is another inside ‘backer with experience. Combined with former draftees Jarrad Davis and Jalen Reeves-Maybin, the Lions still could use another body or two.
Linebackers, secondary
The secondary relies upon great mental play from safety Glover Quin, who is a bit of a liability in coverage and who is on the wrong side of 30, at 32. The only real threat in the secondary is Pro-Bowl corner back, Darius Slay. The rest of the starters lack speed.
At linebacker, should they choose to address a need for versatile, outside guy, they could target Josh Sweat, Florida State; he’s as fast as linebackers come. He ran a 4.53, but as always that doesn’t say too much. Sweat ran a 1.55 ten yard split, meaning in that first ten yards he would outrun many wide receivers and running backs.
In the secondary, Godwin Igwebuike, Northwestern, has the goods running a 4.44 forty yard dash. Igwebuike is a fourth round kind of guy at safety. If they draft a cornerback, again, Tony Brown, Alabama, has some speed to burn and good numbers across the board. Brown ran a 4.35 at 6-0 and 199 pounds, plus he only carries a second to third round price tag.
Next: Lions patience in free agency might just pay off
What do you think? Who are you liking now that the Lions have signed some players? Follow me Coach Kirk, @mkirk2. Send me some comments, I will write what you want to know about! Go Lions!