Detroit Lions know immediate gratification guarantees nothing

The Detroit Lions understand immediate gratification guarantees nothing, as they stay focused on their rebuilding plan.

The Detroit Lions are taking a patient approach in their efforts to build a contender. Unfortunately, in a world built upon immediate gratification, that leads to criticism.

At every turn, it is easy to hear how the Lions dropped the ball in free agency because they didn’t ponied up dough like the Jacksonville Jaguars. The fairest way to compare these two approaches in free agency will be to compare how much bang for their free agency dollar each team got when we review next season.

Signing former New Orleans Saints safety Marcus Williams would have easily been seen as a coup for the Lions, with a big need a safety and his history with defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. But the Baltimore Ravens priced the Lions out with a five-year, $70 million deal for Williams, and Detroit was right to not have gone there.

While Williams’ experience is valued as much as his talent, the Lions could still nab a good young safety with the final pick in the first round of the draft–with Daxton Hill, Jaquan Brisker, or Jalen Pitre as options. And that’s doesn’t include if Lions’ general manager Brad Holmes decides to shock the world and select Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton with the second overall pick.

Detroit Lions: Search for immediate gratification pushes quarterback draft stock

Another immediate gratification point fans need to be less worried about is drafting a quarterback this year. Jared Goff isn’t the long-term solution, but it isn’t about drafting a quarterback just because it is considered a need. It’s about drafting the right quarterback.

If Holmes deems the right quarterback is in this draft class and selects him, then we’ll all be happy to get on board with the choice. But if he doesn’t see any of this year’s passers as the answer, then by all means wait until next year.

Quarterbacks get the headlines, but the most immediate need for the Lions is defense. Despite all the rules in the NFL that are tilted toward the offense, defense is still a big factor in winning championships. Fortunately, this draft looks deep at many defensive spots.

The Lions are still building, and Holmes has demonstrated he won’t deviate from his plan. Anticipation has outweighed results for a long time with the Lions, but now is not the time to be swayed by the idea of bold, perhaps unreasonable, moves that don’t fit the current plan.