Detroit Lions: The draft is always predicated on free agency

Filling the slot receiver role will be big for the improvement of the passing game. Which, contrary to what some fans believe, will still be a part of the Lions offense despite Darrell Bevell’s track record with the ground game.

My first choice here would be free agent Adam Humphries of the Buccaneers. Again this is a young player who is just starting to find his groove. He would be a perfect fit for Detroit in the slot.

This is not a great draft for receivers, so while the Lions may take one at some point in the draft, they will probably want to sign one, like Humphries, in free agency that can contribute immediately. They may also decide to give Brandon Powell or even Theo Riddick a chance at the slot as well.

As far as the draft goes, if Marquise Brown were to fall into the third round, I wouldn’t have a problem with taking him. Beyond such a scenario I would be interested in the best receiver available in the middle rounds like maybe South Alabama’s Jamarius Way in the fourth round or Jon’Vea Johnson of Toledo or K.J. Hill from Ohio State in the fifth round.

Which leads us to running back. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Lions re-sign Zach Zenner, who certainly has value as depth in the backfield, but the Lions still need someone who can be explosive when called upon.

In free agency, I like Tevin Coleman of the Falcons, who has great speed, even though he had the backfield to himself this season and didn’t produce as expected or even C.J. Anderson who would also be a terrific change of pace from Kerryon Johnson.

In the draft, I think this could be a position where someone pretty good is going to drop and you can get value with the pick. Possibly Mike Weber in the fourth round, although he is more talented than that. Beyond Weber, there is Zach Moss of Utah, Isaiah Holyfield of Georgia or maybe some local flavor like Michigan State’s L.J. Scott, who has had injury issues or Karan Higdon of Michigan all of which could be day three steals.

Now, this obviously isn’t one big master plan since I used the same draft picks in some of the scenarios, but you get the idea.

The point is simple; the Lions do have cap space to work with and a new lead negotiator who one would guess should be able to help them sign a few reliable acquisitions at reasonable contracts, thus setting up the draft to complete the shopping.

At least for the time being.

The free agent frenzy is always exciting from the standpoint that there is no waiting in line. Once free agency hits, everyone dives in with their checkbooks and starts spending away. The Lions don’t have to necessarily find superstars in free agency, they just need to find players that fit their philosophy and can excel within it at a reasonable price.

The draft is where teams truly build their team, but in a situation where not only the Lions expect to contend next season, but the fans do as well, there is pressure to find as many pieces to the puzzle as they can this offseason.

Smart work in free agency followed up by a successful, complimentary draft would at least give Matt Patricia and the Lions a roster that is more capable of turning things around. Then all that’s left is to find a way to make it happen.