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Rating the Detroit Lions roster needs as free agency begins

By Payne Schanski

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 24: Amani Oruwariye #24 of the Detroit Lions celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass against the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedExField on November 24, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 24: Amani Oruwariye #24 of the Detroit Lions celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass against the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedExField on November 24, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
(Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

Secondary

Currently under contract:  (Corners) Darius Slay, Justin Coleman, Amani Oruwariye, Jamal Agnew, Michael Jackson (not that one)

(Safeties) Tracy Walker, Will Harris, C.J. Moore

Need for a starter: ??? (Maybe a 10, maybe we’re good. To be continued.)

Need for depth: 6

My two cents: Tracy Walker continues to be one of the most popular choices for ‘watch, this guy is going to be good!’ around Detroit. Oruwariye had a crucial fourth quarter interception off Aaron Rodgers; that alone has me watching him closely headed into this year. Coleman looked great until he didn’t last year, but showed a knack for forcing turnovers.

The Lions have a golden opportunity to make this secondary a force … or to watch it crash and burn (i.e. trading Slay and then picking someone besides Okudah). Which will it be?

Gentle suggestion(s): Patch things up with Darius Slay, draft Jeff Okudah, and have one of the best secondaries in the league. Train Coleman to keep playing physical without committing obvious penalties. Give Oruwariye one more year to develop and maybe he takes Slay’s place if ‘Big Play’ leaves in 2021.

Linebackers

Currently under contract: Jarrad Davis, Devon Kennard, Jahlani Tavai, Christian Jones, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Steve Longa, Anthony Pittman

Note: The Lions have agreed to a three-year, $30 million deal with former New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins per ESPN.com. And Detroit has released Kennard, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

Need for a starter: 6

Need for depth: 6

My two cents: The current staff reportedly loves the leadership and work ethic of Jarrad Davis, but after three years, that just hasn’t translated to the type of play they need from the position. The jury is out on Tavai, but the shock second round pick did have his moments as a rookie. By several measures, including Pro Football Reference’s ‘Adjusted Value’, Kennard was the Lions’ best player at the position a year ago.

Next. The Detroit Lions top 10 plays of the past decade. dark

Gentle suggestion(s): Don’t let Isaiah Simmons tempt you in the draft. I can’t argue with Chase Young’s Combine grade (he rated as ‘Perennial All-Pro’ potential) or the logic for Jeff Okudah; Simmons’s killer workout can’t distract from the pressing need or potential star. If the Lions want a new linebacker, find a Stephen Tulloch-type in free agency.

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