Detroit Lions need to embrace Swift, Okwara, and future now

Detroit Lions 2021 cap, draft assets, closing

The Lions have six of their seven draft picks heading into next year, with the Seahawks owning their seventh-round selection, according to the Tankathon website. The other thing to look at is the salary cap situation which isn’t in great shape. Bob Quinn spent a lot to try to win this year, to the point that there is currently about $5.13 million in available cap space for 2021, according to Spotrac’s website, a professional sports transaction and salaries website.

Others have the Detroit Lions with slightly more cash to spend but none have the Lions in the top half of teams with money to spend in 2021. That’s a negative but as we look at the list above there are assets, to leverage or to keep, to try to win immediately. You have a handful of offensive core players, Swift, Hockenson, Golladay, Ragnow, Decker, Crosby, and Jackson, and a few defensive players to build around, Julian Okwara, Okudah, Oruwariye, and Walker.

Could others emerge as “keepers”? Sure, Da’Shawn Hand could, edge rusher Austin Bryant could, and Will Harris could figure things out. Tavai could find another gear and change how his selection is being viewed, too. They are young guys that the jury is still out on.

A sober inspection of the roster says that the Detroit Lions have some blocks to build on and the next regime has a chance to win. They have some temporary options along with the youth to make a more competitive roster.

The hardest part of being a Detroit Lions fan is waiting for the majority owner, in this case, Sheila Ford Hamp, to make a good call. Start by letting someone take over who will use and develop your young talent, Sheila. If they haven’t proven they can do that, choose someone else, because we have to end this vicious cycle of rebuilding to reward your loyal fans and bring winning back to Detroit.