Detroit Lions: Most recent free agent signing is low risk, high reward

The Detroit Lions recently signed former first-round pick Joshua Garnett to a deal, which could turn out to be a classic case of low risk, with high reward.

The Detroit Lions made a play for a former first-round draft pick in this year’s free agency and signed former San Francisco 49ers offensive guard Joshua Garnett. Garnett was a highly touted guard from Stanford when he was selected 28th overall by the Chip Kelly-led 49ers in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Garnett was widely seen as the best guard in the 2016 draft, and his case for that was boosted by the Outland Trophy, which is awarded to the best offensive lineman in college football, and the Morris Trophy Award which is handed out to the best PAC-12 offensive lineman of the year.

Garnett was a very dominant run blocker coming out of college, and an average to above-average pass blocker. Garnett was also considered to be very aware in in-game situations and his instincts were also touted as elite.

Pro Football Focus, a site that watches and grades every game, also listed Garnett’s ability to get low and ability to climb to the second level as strengths for him. They also noted, however, that his lack of power at the point of attack and that he could be handled by better competition at times. All things considered, his drive and elite run-blocking had PFF graded him as a starting right guard at the NFL level, while fitting best within a power scheme.

Bleacher Report also mentioned that teams would likely prefer for Garnett to be tougher at the point of attack, but that they would also like his ability to pick up blitzes easily during games. Overall, Bleacher Report had him as a round-two player, with starting guard potential with a player comparison to former Green Bay Packers guard Josh Sitton.

His rookie season, when he logged 716 snaps, Garnett allowed three sacks and committed seven penalties. Over those snaps played he was given an overall grade of 61.5 by PFF. Injuries have decimated his play and the only other time he has seen the field other than his rookie season was in 2018 when he got graded with an overall grade of 63.9 in just 59 snaps.

While the sample size is small, it does appear that Joshua Garnett improved his play over the past few years. If he can recapture the abilities that made him a first-round pick, then he could be a big payoff for the Lions in free agency while coming at minimal risk for them in free agency. Garnett is the epitome of low risk, with the potential to reap sky-high rewards.