Detroit Lions landing Mike Daniels shifts NFC North power
The Detroit Lions are reportedly finalizing a deal for former Green Bay Packers defensive end turned recent free agent Mike Daniels.
The savvy Detroit Lions‘ front office has now pulled off another amazing move to help them climb out of the NFC North basement. According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Lions are finalizing a deal with former Green Bay Packers’ defensive tackle Mike Daniels.
According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Daniels is signing a one-year contract to play in the Motor City. The recently turned 30-year old interior defender was a surprise release by the Packers earlier this week after being nominated to the Pro Bowl just two years ago (2017). Now he’ll face his former team at least twice this season.
Originally a fourth-round selection out of Iowa in 2012, Daniels has spent his entire professional career in Green Bay. He has been a full-time starter for the Packers for the last five seasons straight.
During his lone Pro Bowl season (2017), Daniels recorded 49 tackles, 5.0 sacks, and a forced fumble. Last year, a foot injury limited him to just 10 games. He posted 16 tackles and 2.0 sacks in 2018.
Daniel’s release appears to be more about money than performance. The Packers save $8.3 million in salary-cap space by moving on from the Pro Bowl defensive tackle who is coming off a down season due to injury and is on the wrong side of 30.
With the addition of Daniels, the Lions continue to stock their defense full of talent. Detroit inked defensive playmakers defensive end Trey Flowers and cornerback Justin Coleman via free agency earlier this offseason. Detroit also drafted Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai in the second round this year, adding him to an already talented group which includes Devon Kennard and Jarrad Davis.
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The Detroit Lions also added Pro Bowl defensive tackle Damon Harrison via a midseason trade in 2018. The combination of the newly acquired Daniels alongside Harrison, former second-rounder A’Shawn Robinson, and last year’s surprise rookie Da’Shawn Hand should give the Lions a formidable front. It’s a move that could shift the power in the NFC North and lift Detroit out of the divisional basement.