Prior to the Detroit Lions signing anyone in free agency, here are the team’s three biggest roster needs heading into next season.
The Detroit Lions have a monumental task ahead of them. If the current regime in the Motor City wishes to remain intact, they’ll apparently need to take a 3-12-1 dud and make it a playoff contender in 2020. And that means retooling this depleted roster.
And the first step of that journey starts next month when the NFL’s free-agent period officially starts on Wednesday, March 18. Yet, the first decisions to be made by the Lions’ brass must be deciding the fates of their own free agents.
Here’s a list of all of the Lions’ players scheduled to hit free agency next month according to Spotrac.com.
Jeff Driskel, QB – UFA
J.D. McKissic, RB – RFA
Jermaine Kearse, WR – UFA
Danny Amendola, WR – UFA
Logan Thomas, TE – UFA
Graham Glasgow, G – UFA
Oday Aboushi, OT – UFA
Mike Daniels, DT – UFA
Darius Kilgo, DT – UFA
A’Shawn Robinson, DT – UFA
Jamie Meder, DE – UFA
Rashaan Melvin, CB – UFA
Michael Ford, CB – ERFA
Dee Virgin, CB – ERFA
Tavon Wilson, S – UFA
Miles Killebrew, S – UFA
Sam Martin, P – UFA
Don Muhlbach, LS – UFA
It could be argued that special teams may need the most attention this offseason since Sam Martin and Don Muhlbach are both set to be unrestricted free agents in March. But outside of that unit, here are our three biggest positional needs for the Lions heading into free agency.
Defensive End/Edge Rusher
The Lions recorded a mere 28 sacks last season, which was tied for the second-lowest team total in the NFL. Detroit needs more pass rushers at the defensive end position. And in the case of defensive end Romeo Okwara, possible an upgrade as the Lions’ 2018 sack leader recorded just 1.5 sacks last year.
Defensive Tackle
The potential retirement of All-Pro Damon Harrison plus the fact both Mike Daniels and A’Shawn Robinson are set to hit the open market next month make defensive tackle a no-brainer need this offseason. Harrison’s return and a re-signing of either Daniels or Robinson would shore up the position quickly.
Cornerback
The cornerback position was a big need before the recent Darius Slay trade talk, which could potentially move this positional group to the front of the needs-line. Rashaan Melvin was a 12-game starter on the outside opposite Slay last season. If neither player is in the Detroit Lions’ plans for 2020, cornerback would undoubtedly be the Motor City’s most desperate need.