Just like every NFL off-season, the Detroit Lions have a long list of needs to be filled. The list for the Lions this year is shorter than most seasons, but there are some major holes that need to be filled either through free agency or the draft.
1. Offensive Tackle
Riley Reiff has been a fine Left Tackle, but nothing spectacular. The Lions could move him over to Right Tackle and draft another Tackle. There aren’t any spectacular free agent Left Tackles available and the Lions don’t hold a high enough draft pick to get a guy that can play right away at Left Tackle. However, free agency is full of quality Right Tackles.
Possible Free Agent Targets: Bryan Bulaga (Packers) or Derrick Newton (Texans)
Possible Draft Prospects: Andrus Peat (Stanford) or Cedric Ogbuehi (Texas A&M)
2. Defensive Tackle (3)
The top four Defensive Tackles on the roster from last season are all unrestricted free agents. Ndamukong Suh will be one of the most in demand free agents and will likely sign one of the richest contracts in NFL history. Nick Fairley will also make a lot of money on the free agent market. C.J. Mosley played exceptionally well filling in for Nick Fairley and likely will get a decent contract on the market if he doesn’t end up back with the Lions. If the Lions can’t bring back two of the three guys above, they should target the guys listed below.
Possible Free Agent Targets: Terrance Knighton (Broncos), Jared Odrick (Dolphins), or Stephen Paea (Bears)
Possible Draft Prospects: Malcom Brown (Texas) or Michael Bennett (Ohio State)
3. Running Back
The Lions finally came to terms with reality and cut Reggie Bush. Don’t buy the company line that it was only a cost cutting measure, it was more to do with talent, or lack thereof. The Lions now need another back to share the load with Joique Bell and Theo Riddick. Neither of the former are every down backs and the Lions shouldn’t look to find one, but rather just an explosive player that should be in the same mold of what Reggie Bush was supposed to be.
Possible Free Agent Targets: Justin Forsett (Ravens), C.J. Spiller (Bills), or Mark Ingram (Saints)
Possible Draft Prospects: Todd Gurley (Georgia), Duke Johnson (Miami), or Ameer Abdullah (Nebraska)
4. Corner Back
The Lions have gotten two good seasons out of Rashean Mathis, but he’s older than dirt and a free agent. The Lions need another cornerback to pair with emerging star Darius Slay. I think they have their third and fourth corners already between Nevin Lawson and Bill Bentley but need a pure #2 corner to fill out the roster. I wouldn’t be opposed to bringing back Mathis on a on year deal for almost no money, but I’m not spending more than veteran minimum on him.
Possible Free Agent Targets: Byron Maxwell (Seahawks) or Chris Culliver (49ers)
Possible Draft Prospects: Ronald Darby (Florida State) or Jacoby Glenn (Central Florida)
5. Offensive Guard
Lets not sugar coat it, Rob Sims wasn’t good in 2014. He’s also getting up there in age. I wouldn’t be interested in signing him back for anything but a 1-year deal for $2 million dollars or less. If I do bring him back, I spend a draft pick between the 3rd and 5th round for his future replacement. The best part is there are a ton of free agents available that would be plug and play at left guard and the draft is deep with day one starters. The Lions won’t have to overpay in free agency or reach in the draft to find a solid replacement for Sims.
Possible Free Agent Targets: Clint Boling (Bengals), James Carpenter (Seahawks), or Todd Herremans (Eagles)
Possible Draft Prospects: Cameron Irving (Florida State), Arie Kouandjio (Alabama), or A.J. Cann (South Carolina)
6. 3rd Wide Receiver
The Lions slot receiver position was a position of pure weakness in 2014. Jeremy Ross was supposed to be the dynamic kick returner/ slot man but was awful in 2014. The Lions have tendered him as an exclusive rights free agent, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be a training camp cut. I would love the Lions to bring in a small little slot guy to be a threat over the middle. They grow on trees in the middle rounds of the draft and can be found in free agency.
Possible Free Agent Targets: Eddie Royal (Chargers) or Brian Hartline (Dolphins)
Possible Draft Prospects: Philip Dorsett (Miami), Tyler Lockett (Kansas State), or Stefon Diggs (Maryland)
7. Kicker
The Lions have to bring back Matt Prater. He was great for them in 2014 but is now a free agent. I’m not willing to overpay for the one quality free agent kicker available in Stephen Gostkowski and the draft market for kickers is barren. Prater must return to Detroit.
Possible Free Agent Targets: Stephen Gostkowski (Patriots) or Mike Nugent (Bengals)
Possible Draft Prospects: None
8. Backup QB
It is a Godsend that Dan Orlovsky didn’t have to take the field for the Lions in 2014. He is awful and isn’t worth paying to hold a clipboard. Most every team is screwed if their backup QB is playing, but the Lions might as well have taken off their cleats and gone home if Orlovsky had to play a significant amount of snaps. I don’t think Kellen Moore is the answer either, but he at least wouldn’t cost any money to keep around.
Possible Free Agent Targets: Blaine Gabbert (49ers) or Christian Ponder (Vikings)
Possible Draft Prospects: Sean Manion (Oregon State), Bryce Petty (Baylor), or Shane Carden (East Carolina)
9. Safety Depth
Isa Abdul-Quddus was a very quality player for the Lions in 2014 but is a free agent that should have significant interest from other teams. I would love to have him back as a third Safety/Special Teams player for the near future, but you can’t afford to overspend on him because of your other salary commitments.
Possible Free Agent Targets: Stevie Brown (Giants), Sergio Brown (Colts), or Marcus Gilchrist (Chargers)
Possible Draft Prospects: Kurtis Drummond (Michigan State), Doran Grant (Ohio State), or Clayton Geathers (Central Florida)
10. Fullback
Average Fullbacks grow on trees. Jed Collins is a very average fullback. You can do much better than Collins but not for the price. I wouldn’t be opposed to bringing back Collins, but I wouldn’t be heartbroken if he took off for greener pastures.
Possible Free Agent Targets: Tyler Clutts (Cowboys) or John Conner (Jets)
Possible Draft Prospects: Jalston Fowler (Alabama), Connor Neighbors (LSU), or Hunter Joyner (Florida)
11. Offensive Line Depth
The Lions reserve offensive lineman really cost them this year when they had to step in for injured starters. They can’t afford to let that happen again. I wouldn’t bring back any of the free agent reserves.
Possible Free Agent Targets: Don Barclay (Packers), Marshall Newhouse (Bengals), or Tyler Polumbus (Redskins)
Possible Draft Prospects: Ali Marpet (Hobart), Rob Havenstein (Wisconsin), or David Andrews (Georgia).
12. Outside Linebacker Depth
The Lions have a promising young core of linebackers with Levy, Whitehead, and Van Noy, they just have absolutely no depth behind it. I expect Stephen Tulloch to be a cap casualty leaving the backup cupboard bare. The Lions have to add depth here.
Possible Free Agent Targets: Mark Herzlich (Giants) or Malcolm Smith (Seahawks)
Possible Draft Prospects: Jake Ryan (Michigan) or A.J. Johnson (Tennessee)