Detroit Lions: What have we learned from free agency?
By Robert Jones
The Detroit Lions came out of the gates buying at the opening of the free agency legal tapering period, but what did we learn from this?
Your Detroit Lions listened to you. Or at the very least had a similar game plan in mind. That’s right, our very own Lions hit the legal free agency tampering period swiftly and precisely like a choreographed tsunami. They filled needs with players that can actually play and for the most part, are still well within their prime.
That’s called a win/win. Now that the first tidal wave of free agency is receding, this is a good time to re-assess what has occurred and what it means in the ultimate scheme of things. In other words, how the roster will fill out and most importantly what this means for the Lions draft plans.
Let’s start with what they accomplished. They added the best edge-rusher in free agency in the form of defensive end Trey Flowers. This is a very big win because Flowers played at a very high level for the Patriots and he will be asked to do essentially the same role here. Sure his sack numbers aren’t gaudy, but he brings consistent pressure from everywhere along the line and plays the run exceptionally well. This is a win despite the inflated contract.
General manager Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia also signed nickel back Justin Coleman. Eyebrows all over Detroit really raised at the contract handed to Coleman, but he was the most efficient slot cover man in the NFL last season. This would certainly seem to lock down the nickel back position for him except for one thing, I believe he will be the given the opportunity to be Darius Slays new running mate on the outside.
The Lions are still very high on Jamal Agnew and not just as a return man. Last year, until he was injured against the Packers, Agnew played the nickel role and was making progress. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Coleman outside and Agnew back in the slot again. If this is the case it makes Coleman’s contract more reasonable. Which is a good start, but It didn’t end there.