Comparing the Detroit Lions offseason to the rest of the division

The Detroit Lions have had a productive offseason by many accounts. How do their division opponents stack up? We’ll compare their progress this week!

The Detroit Lions have been on the end of many predictions for the regular season, some good and recently some not so good. Instead of picking records here, we’re going to summarize how the NFC North has changed since last season. What major moves have reshaped one of the toughest divisions in pro football?

We here at Kick In the Crotch Weekly watch the Detroit Lions like hawks and have seen general manager Bob Quinn plug some holes and welcome another draft class into the fold for head coach Matt Patricia.

Patricia and Quinn hired offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell to bring back the vertical passing game sparked by a bigger emphasis on the run game. Quinn has been talking up run game improvements since he arrived in Detroit to accept his job.

In brief, the Lions (6-10 last year) went out and made a couple of splash signings in defensive end Trey Flowers, tight end Jesse James, cornerback Justin Coleman, along with a few other players to address depth. Running back C.J. Anderson is another player who is an important signing due to both added emphasis on the running game and any concerns regarding starter Kerryon Johnson‘s health. Oday Aboushi was signed to push left guard Kenny Wiggins.

April’s draft gave the Lions nine new members tight end T.J. Hockenson, linebacker Jahlani Tavai, safety Will Harris, defensive end Austin Bryant, cornerback Amani Oruwariye, wideout Travis Fulgham, speedy running back Ty Johnson, tight end Isaac Nauta, and defensive tackle P.J. Johnson.

In short, about a quarter of the roster is new since last December.