Detroit Lions: Remaining free agents that fill a need
Entering the second week of free agency, the Detroit Lions still have some holes to fill on their roster. Here are four current free agents that make sense.
The Detroit Lions kicked off free agency last week, adding several newsworthy names to their roster and losing a few as well. Yet, this is a front office and coaching staff that has been tasked to turn a 3-12-1 team into a playoff contender in 2020.
With that lofty goal in mind, the Lions are far from done filling the needs along this depleted roster. And despite the draft certainly playing a big part in doing so, here are four remaining free agents that seem to make sense to help fill some of those voids.
Everson Griffen, DE
The Lions could certainly use a few more pass rushers along their defensive line. And despite the pipe dream of Ohio State defensive end Chase Young falling into Detroit’s lap at the third overall pick, Motown will need to land a pass rusher or two in free agency.
In Everson Griffen, the Lions would find a 32-year old edge rusher who would have led the team in sacks last season as he recorded 8.0 sacks for the Minnesota Vikings as a 15-game starter. Griffen appears to still have some gas left in the tank and could give the Detroit defense some much-needed pop.
Logan Ryan, CB
Free-agent cornerback Logan Ryan would not only fill a need, but he’s also a former member of the New England Patriots. Before spending the past three seasons with the Tennessee Titans, Ryan spent his first four years in the NFL with the Pats. And current Lions head coach Matt Patricia was his defensive coordinator.
The trade of Darius Slay and the signing of Desmond Trufant means the secondary in Detroit is currently in a state of flux. It makes sense that Patricia would want to add yet another former Patriot to the secondary to provide the unit with some stability in a very pivotal season for the third-year head coach.
As a bonus, Ryan is coming off his best season as a professional, posting 113 total tackles, 18 pass defends, four interceptions, and four forced fumbles in 2019.
Carlos Hyde, RB
The Lions are in need of a more consistent rushing attack and have been for years. But it’s more important than ever considering the fact quarterback Matthew Stafford spent eight games on the sidelines last season due to injury. Unfortunately, starting running back Kerryon Johnson is coming off his second-straight injury-plagued season himself.
Adding free-agent running back Carlos Hyde would buy the Lions some much-needed insurance for Johnson. The 29-year old veteran is coming off his first 1,000-yard season. Hyde recorded 1,070 yards on the ground along with six touchdowns and averaged an impressive 4.4 yards per carry as a 14-game starter for the Houston Texas last year.
Josh Kline, OG
The Lions moved on from the entire right side of their offensive line this offseason with the release of right tackle Ricky Wagner and right guard Graham Glasgow leaving in free agency. Recent signing Halapoulivaati Vaitai would seemingly fill the starting right tackle role. And at guard, perhaps free agent Josh Kline makes sense.
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Kline was recently released by the Detroit Lions’ divisional foes, the Minnesota Vikings, after starting 13 games for them last year. He started all but three games for the Tennessee Titans the previous three seasons. And the main reason to mention Kline here, he spent his first three years with the Patriots, winning a Super Bowl ring in 2014.