The Detroit Lions ignored the tight end position last year, though not for lack of trying. Which position of need will get ignored this season?
Last season, the Detroit Lions were looking for someone to replace tight end Eric Ebron. Someone, anyone; a warm body. That’s what ended up filling the role last season. Failed attempts at trading for New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and failed attempts to sign high-profile free agents at the position left a less-than-stellar group to fill the void.
This season, general manager Bob Quinn dropped a hint at a position of need that might be largely ignored this offseason when it comes to adding players. As reported by Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Quinn said during a recent interview that the team isn’t ready to give up on cornerback Teez Tabor.
While Tabor hasn’t played as expected, the vote of confidence from Quinn is telling of how the rest of the offseason might play out. While veteran free agent cornerbacks such as Captain Munnerlyn and Ronald Darby have been talked about as options to assist the needs of the position, Quinn’s comments sound like those additions would muddle Tabor’s playing time.
If no players are acquired at the position, it would be up to Tabor and fellow cornerback and return specialist Jamal Agnew to step in line opposite Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay. Cornerbacks Nevin Lawson and Mike Ford, both who played time last season after Agnew’s injury, would be in the mix at the position as well.
None of the four players opposite slay recorded an interception in 2018. As a team, the Lions were second to last in interceptions with seven. As the organization looks for playmakers, it would make sense to add someone to this group with better ball-hawking skills. But with the group currently on the roster, someone would have to be let go.
Agnew has value as a return man. Lawson has the experience of playing opposite Slay for a couple of years now. Ford was called upon to start late in the 2018 season. And Tabor was just given a vote of confidence by the team’s general manager.
I’m not much for predictions, but all signs point to this group being the ignored position of need for the 2019 Detroit Lions. Unless a veteran can be acquired to supplant Lawson or the best player available in the draft happens to be a corner when the Lions are on the clock, it wouldn’t be surprising if this position isn’t addressed this offseason.