Detroit Lions headlines: Akeem Spence trade, Draft surprise
The Detroit Lions traded away one of their key interior defensive lineman. We’ll discuss that move and more in today’s headlines.
Following last week’s NFL draft, the Detroit Lions are still adjusting their roster in order to prepare for the upcoming offseason training activities, minicamp, and eventually, training camp.
One area of the team that is still of concern is the interior of their defensive line. Despite a perceived need in their front seven, the Lions only drafted on player for that group. And on Thursday, they actually traded away a veteran defensive tackle they signed just last year.
We’ll discuss that move and more topics in today’s edition of headlines.
Lions trade DT Akeem Spence to Dolphins – ESPN.com
Early on Thursday, the Lions reworked the contract of defensive tackle Akeem Spence. The 26-year old had just signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract with Detroit last March. He posted 39 combined tackles and 3.0 sacks in 2017 for the Motor City.
But with Matt Patricia taking over at head coach, the Lions value versatility much more than they did last season under Jim Caldwell. And Spence is seen as an under tackle. So, after dropping his salary from $3.15 million to $2.57 million, Detroit promptly traded him to the Miami Dolphins for a 2019 seventh round selection.
NFC North draft grades: Bears advance slick offseason makeover – NFL.com
In this article by NFL.com, the league’s official website chose Oregon offensive lineman Tyrell Crosby as the most surprising pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. A projected second rounder, Crosby’s unexplained fall to the fifth round gives Detroit a starting caliber player who could beat out Graham Glasgow for a major role along the Lions’ front line.
Here are 5 Detroit Lions on the hot seat entering 2018 – Detroit Free Press
Of the five mentioned on the hot seat, offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter could be the most intriguing. Although Cooter has been able to produce a strong passing game, the Lions’ rushing attack has been terrible. With such a big investment made to the running game this offseason, Jim Bob could be looking for a new gig by this time next offseason if there aren’t better results on the ground in 2018.
Cooter excited for Kenny Golladay’s second season – DetroitLions.com
Cooter isn’t the only one looking forward to Year Two from wide receiver Kenny Golladay. But we must see the former third round pick and explosive playmaker become a much more consistent target for Matthew Stafford in 2019.
Next: Detroit Lions: 15 best first-round draft picks of all-time
Watch: Detroit Lions’ Kerryon Johnson video series from draft process – Detroit Free Press
The Detroit Loins sacrificed a second and fourth round pick to trade up to draft Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson last Friday. And from the above video series, we get a strong sense of where this young man has come from in order to land in the Motor City. Now, Johnson must prove the Lions invested in the right player to resurrect their dead rushing attack.