The 2020 Detroit Lions can be much better, but how?

Reason for Hope

But there is a good reason for hope. First, general manager Bob Quinn has just under $50 million to work with in Free Agency which is more than any of their NFC North division rivals.

Second, Quinn has eight picks in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft, with an extra seventh-rounder and, most importantly, a high first-round choice. He can do plenty of shopping for depth.

On the other hand, it makes sense to sign guard Graham Glasgow and extend the contract of cornerback Darius Slay as they are essential existing players. Top-flight pass rushers are expensive to come by. If Quinn has a shot at one, it won’t come cheap, but he should jump at the opportunity if available.

So while five or six teams fans are now on Chase Young Watch, history tells a different story about the effect of acquiring highly coveted college prospects. The notion of one player, regardless of talent, would come close to reversing the fortunes of a losing 53-man roster has never been proven anywhere. Only on very good teams needing one great player can such a player help a team to greater success.

The best example is the New England Patriots. Since 2002, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has not picked higher than the top-10 except once, with four of those years not having a first-round pick at all. Their highest pick was in 2008 when they traded down from the seventh slot to the 10th spot to select linebacker Jerod Mayo and get an extra third round pick in the deal.

The Patriots have played in six Super Bowls during Belichick’s tenure, without highly drafted players but with extra picks to play with. For example, in 2020 they have managed to accumulate 12 draft choices. Expect them to do their usual wheeling and dealing as we’ve seen them do so often.

If you look at the current Lions roster at full health, this is a team with enough talent that should be a playoff contender. That said, injuries inevitably happen and must be anticipated. Patricia, while in the process of rebuilding, has been dealt a weak hand this season, too thin at backup positions on defense to live up to the hype that brought him to Detroit.