Did the Detroit Lions draft reveal plan to fix more than the run game?

Conclusion

The use of three draft picks Swift, Jackson, and Stenberg represents the biggest commitment of draft capital that Quinn and the Detroit Lions have invested in a single draft since Quinn’s first draft as head of the franchise in 2016 when he selected Decker, Glasgow, and Dahl in the first, third, and fifth rounds, respectively.

Second, third, and fourth-round picks combined with the two starters leftover from 2016 demonstrate an obvious aspiration of being a more physically dominant team in 2020. Mid-way through the offseason it looked as if Quinn was set to be content with a couple of under-the-radar signings as his improvements.

Many draft pundits thought that the pick of Jackson was either great value or right about the spot that he should have been selected while many did not think that the Stenberg pick was as good of a value. We at Kick In The Crotch Weekly liked the first two days from a, “Fix one side of the ball” perspective, in particular.

If quarterback Matthew Stafford ‘s health is the most key factor in hoping to make a run at the division title, then drafting and finding talent to finish the offense should be the top priority. That’s not to say that the defense didn’t need help, too, but that the defense’s shortcomings do not revolve around any one player but around deficiencies in coverage and pass-rush in general.

Plus, the defense was addressed more throughout the rest of the offseason with the signing of a handful of defenders like cornerback Desmond Trufant, Jack linebacker, Jamie Collins, defensive tackle, Danny Shelton, and safety, Duron Harmon. If the Detroit Lions can get a few more bodies back to being healthy for this coming season, the holes to fill have been significantly reduced.

In fact, along the offensive line, there are now decent options at every position and at a bare minimum, a younger prospect behind every starter. Experience, necessary for true depth, is lacking but the talent is in place. Ditto the running backs.

Looking beyond just implications for the run game, the wide receivers, which did gain one prospect or possibly two depending on the use of Huntley, now look to be the only unit that hasn’t gotten a major overhaul in the last couple of years. Fifth-round pick Quintez Cephus was the lone wideout drafted while the Lions have no one else under contract for next year at the position.

Kenny Golladay, the top wideout on the roster, is expected to re-sign with the Detroit Lions prior to free agency next year but after that, there are no relatively sure things among the receivers.

For this year though, Stafford has back all of his wide receivers, his best tight ends, added depth at running back, and a revamped line to block for him. Hell, he even has a decent backup. This is truly his best offensive team around him during his entire tenure as a Lions signal-caller.

The defense should be able to be average-plus and the Lions win games if the line can hold for a few seconds per play. Last year the Kansas City Chiefs won some postseason game without an elite defense and a great offense; the Detroit Lions could be singing a similar tune right in downtown Motown.