Detroit Lions, fans provide blueprint for 2020 uncertainty

Detroit Lions head coach

Matt Patricia’s time with the Detroit Lions has been up-and-down, similarly. In the win column, it’s been a mostly down direction but many fans and pundits give him a pass of sorts due to the number of injuries he dealt with in 2019 after his first try as a head coach in 2018.

Also, the personnel he inherited was not fit to his liking, and Quinn spent the team’s top pick on a tight end last year. The following four picks were dedicated to defense after that but those picks did little to change the trajectory of what would end up the 31st-ranked defense in the NFL.

The prior year, only two prospects were selected to convert the defense via the draft. This year two of the first three draft picks were allocated to the defensive side of the ball, the best investment of early draft capital since his arrival to fix one of the historically worst units in franchise history.

Cornerback Jeff Okudah and defensive end Julian Okwara are being counted on to fix some big problems from 2019, the pass coverage and pass rush. The Detroit Lions were 32nd versus the pass and 29th in sacks according to Pro Football Reference.

Onto the other side of this discussion. We said that we were conflicted and that we couldn’t remember having such mixed feelings but just spent several pages painting a bleak picture. The outlook is not all bad.

While the leadership is shaky at times, there’s a good amount of talent on the roster.