Detroit Lions: The draft is always predicated on free agency
By Robert Jones
The biggest irony of the whole dream draft scenario’s that Lions fans go through is that they always seem to just dismiss free agency and concentrate on the draft. Yet the truth of the matter is that free agency is really more important than the draft for one simple reason; it will determine what happens in the draft.
Detroit fans are among the best in the world. Their loyalty to their teams and favorite players rivals fans anywhere. They are also smart enough to understand the importance of free agency and how it will determine the course of the draft.
Yet it always seems to be sort of set aside for draft mania. Which in all honesty isn’t just something that happens in Detroit. It definitely happens almost everywhere else as well.
So with that said, I wanted to take a look at the possible domino effect of what could happen in free agency and how it could affect the draft.
The Lions needs are numerous, but let’s list the absolute needs that have to be addressed in order to give these Motown Kitties a chance to roar again as well as some possible scenarios.
We’ll start with defensive end/edge rusher, cornerback, linebacker, offensive line, tight end, receiver and running back.
Bob Quinn better make sure he grabs the full shopping cart instead of those little carry around baskets.
There are no guarantees in life or Lions offseason moves, but let’s start with what seems to be the free agency move everyone expects; signing Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers.
If that were indeed able to happen then it would seem highly unlikely that the Lions will draft a defensive end in the first round. That would probably set into motion the Lions either selecting cornerback Greedy Williams of LSU, provided he is still available, or going the route my gut is saying Matt Patricia wants to go, which would be the ‘other’ LSU Tiger, linebacker Devin White.
Patricia loves linebackers and White is an ultra-competitive and talented middle linebacker who may just be a better fit than Jarrad Davis for Patricia’s defense.
This move doesn’t put Davis on the scrap heap, however, because the Lions run plenty of 3-4 defensive fronts which means both can be in the middle, but in a 4-3 front it seems that Davis would benefit from moving to the outside and having fewer responsibilities. His speed and tenacity would still benefit the team greatly there and the reduced role may be just what he needs to get to that next level.
That is provided the Lions don’t trade down from the eighth pick to acquire extra selections, which may actually be a good move to help them address needs.