Detroit Lions have more holes on their lines than Swiss cheese
By Robert Jones
The Lions need many able bodies
Heading into free agency, there is no question that the offensive line and defensive line are the Lions top needs. Everything starts in the trenches. Then when we factor in that Detroit is not a free agent destination and they will have to overspend in free agency unless they find some young gems that are ready blossom into stars, the idea of Bob Quinn being able to build a winner for next season looks very dicey.
The overview of this team is simple, they have needs at pretty much every position. The approximately $53 million in cap space they have after the release of Wagner is pretty much the middle of the NFL pack and every move will count.
Bob Quinn has put the Lions in a position where able bodies are needed. This means that overspending in free agency like they did last year on Trey Flowers, will only hurt them due to the need to fill so many holes. They have only seven draft picks in next month’s draft, unless they acquire more by trading down from the number three pick or trade Darius Slay creating another hole in the lineup.
If the Lions were rebuilding, then it would be hard to criticize the deconstruction of the roster to build it back up again, but under the circumstances that this team is supposed to win next season or else, it’s really hard to see how this plan will work.
You can virtually flip a coin to decide if the offensive line or defensive line is now the Lions greatest need, and when you consider how adding play-makers at linebacker, in the secondary, at receiver and running back would really help Detroit bounce-back, it becomes overwhelming to figure out where Bob Quinn will find enough quality players to fill the growing list of needs this team has.
Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia’s necks are on the chopping block and they are scrambling to save themselves. If they can find a way to make it all work out, it will make the 1980 ‘Miracle on ice’ USA Olympic Hockey team look like pikers.
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In three days the free agency frenzy will begin. If Bob Quinn can make some smart, savvy signings then maybe there will be hope, but if he wades in overspending with so many holes to fill, then next season is doomed already.