The Detroit Lions need to stay focused on building

The Detroit Lions are still early in the rebuilding process. They need to stay focused, and not be distracted by big transactions around the league.

The Detroit Lions have been quiet amidst an already busy NFL offseason. Seattle will trade Russell Wilson to Denver. The Colts will send Carson Wentz to Washington, Chicago will send Khalil Mack to the Chargers and the Cowboys will trade Amari Cooper to the Browns. More will be reported, before the league year even officially starts.

The big news in Detroit thus far is the release of Trey Flowers, which was expected. Flowers was mostly injured over the last two seasons, and the combined words of general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell highlighting intangles Flowers provided said it all.

Last offseason the Lions were left in a bad position by the previous regime. Once Matthew Stafford made his request to be traded, it sealed the Lions’ fate to rebuild. Not that that was a bad thing.

The time had come to rebuild this franchise from the bottom up. To Holmes’ credit, he didn’t blink an eye. Between Holmes’ draft class and Campbell’s work on the field, the first-year foundation looks pretty solid. Now it’s time to build on it.

Detroit Lions need to stay committed to responsible roster build

However, that doesn’t mean the Lions should completely ignore free agency. I still believe that Holmes will double-down and sign a receiver in free agency, then select one fairly early in the draft. The key is to not break the bank in free agency.

Allen Robinson is coming off a mediocre year and it wouldn’t hurt to price-check him. There is also JuJu Smith-Schuster who has talent but seems to have become lost in the Pittsburgh offense. Will Fuller, DJ Chark, and Christian Kirk could also be on the radar among free agent wide receivers.

The Lions’ defense could also use a talent influx, and it will certainly come in both free agency and the draft. The key will be to keep the eye on the ball of a solid roster build, and not be swayed by big headlines around the league.