Detroit Lions, Free Agency: Reviewing in the NFC North

SideLion Report examines the moves made by the Detroit Lions’ divisional rivals as the first wave of NFL free agency winds down.

Though arguably the two biggest transactions of the NFL offseason so far involved each of the New York clubs, the Detroit Lions and their divisional rivals have made some significant moves of their own. Looking forward to a critical 2019 campaign under each regime, the NFC North’s teams addressed some significant roster needs in preparation for what could be the NFL’s most competitive division next season.

The Lions, for their part, made a series of important moves covered extensively here on SideLion Report over the past several days of free agency. The new additions, edge defender Trey Flowers, cornerback Justin Coleman and tight end Jesse James, all fit significant needs across the roster, and have put the Lions in position to expand their options with the eighth overall pick in next month’s draft.

Another last place finish in the division simply won’t cut it for the Lions in 2019. General manager Bob Quinn has been rather frugal in free agency in past years, but with a substantial amount of available salary cap space this offseason, the Lions did not hesitate to jump on a group of targets that could become pivotal pieces of the roster on both sides of the ball.

The Lions’ early accords with those players was major news during the first few days of free agency. But the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears have all made moves that while not quite as flashy as the Lions, will present Detroit with another set of challenges in their attempt to climb out of the NFC North cellar.

So, with the most of the dust on the first week of free agency settled, we’ll take a look at some of the key players lost and gained by the Lions’ divisional foes. We will also examine the potential impact that these transactions could have on the rest of the division.