Detroit Lions: Top 5 Needs This Offseason

Honorable Mention – Punter

The Lions had Punter Sam Martin take a pay cut prior to the start of the 2019 season. He had the opportunity to make some of it back through certain incentives, but that set the table for a split between the two parties. Martin was only graded out as PFF’s 23rd ranked punter so he’s likely going to be too pricey for the Lions to want to bring back next season. The Lions could go after the Vikings’ now free agent punter Britton Colquitt. They could also look to take one with their final pick in the draft. One other option they have is to sign Ryan Santoso who has been with the team for the last two training camps.

5. Wide Receiver

While not an immediate need for the Detroit Lions this coming season, every receiver on the team is currently set to become a free agent after this coming season. The Lions are expected to extend Kenny Golladay before the start of next season, but Marvin Jones and Danny Amendola will both be on the wrong side of 30. The depth for the wide receivers is basically non-existent. The draft, however, is full of talent top-to-bottom. Expect the Lions to draft a player they believe will be Marvin Jones‘ replacement anywhere from Round 2 onward in the coming draft. The Lions reportedly love Denzel Mims, a guy they saw up close at the Senior Bowl.

4. Safety

The Detroit Lions love to run three-safety sets on defense, but as of right now they’ve only got one player they’re comfortable starting: Tracy Walker. Will Harris has the athleticism and length they love to become a single-high free safety. Right now, though, he’d best utilized as a strong safety closer to the line of scrimmage. Tavon Wilson was the versatile chess-piece that moved all-around last season. Wilson is now set to become a free agent. The Lions are going to look to add a starting safety either in free agency or early in the draft. Antoine Winfield, Kyle Dugger, and Jeremy Chinn are guys to keep an eye on in the draft.

3. Guard

The Lions are seemingly letting Graham Glasgow walk in free agency. Glasgow is a guy who never missed a game as a Lion. He’s also very good in pass protection. Those qualities come with a price tag that the Lions are not willing to pay. The Lions will also be losing their top backup guard Kenny Wiggins who played a significant portion of the snaps last season. They need to add a right guard who is capable. That could be through free agency or it could also be a type of player they’d look to draft on day two or early day three. Cesar Ruiz, Lloyd Cushenberry, Robert Hunt, Jonah Jackson, and Shane Lemieux will all be options for the Lions.

2. Cornerback

Too many seasons in a row has the narrative been “The Detroit Lions need a true number two corner across from Darius Slay.” That still rings true, but now maybe more than ever. The Lions are currently in a sticky situation when it comes to Slay. He’s in the last year of his contract and he wants to get paid. The Lions have reportedly been shopping around the three-time Pro Bowler. Without trading Slay, the Lions need a number 2 corner. The large majority of mock drafts have the Lions solving that issue by taking Jeff Okudah with their first selection. If the Lions do trade Slay away, though, they need to add a cornerback in free agency as well as in the draft. Byron Jones, Chris Harris, and Jalen Mills are all players the Lions would have an interest in to go along with Okudah and Oruwariye.

1. Interior Defensive Line

The Lions biggest strength last season was supposed to be the defensive line. It wasn’t. Injuries took away rising star Da’Shawn Hand and veteran Mike Daniels. Damon “Snacks” Harrison was not his usual self. A’Shawn Robinson looked good in 2018 after the Lions acquired Snacks, but next to him in 2019 he was less than stellar. The Lions need to entirely rework this group if they want to make this defense work.

Their top priority in free agency should be D.J. Reader from the Texans. He’d move right into Snacks’ role on the defense and help make up for the lost production from last season. Everyone witnessed the transformation of the defense when the Lions brought in an elite nose tackle before, and getting Reader would likely bring the same impact this offseason.

The Lions could look to double-dip in free agency for defensive linemen before the draft. They need another 3-tech to take over for Robinson and Daniels. They could look to get a cheap rotational piece or more of a true starter.

The draft will have several options later on that will be intriguing to the Lions. A.J. Epenesa is more of an edge player, but as a 5-tech on the defensive line, he can be a fantastic interior pass rusher, something the Lions desperately need. He’s been sliding down the medias’ draft boards due to his performance at the combine. Baylor’s James Lynch and Auburn’s Marlon Davidson could also be in play for that same role. If the don’t address nose, there’s Leki Fotu and Davon Hamilton. Javon Kinlaw and Derrick Brown are both options for the first-round pick the Lions hold. Both of them would be more heavily considered should the Lions trade back.

Follow me on Twitter @TheKtothe2 for more of my content and follow @OT_Heroics!

Come discuss this and much more at the Overtime Heroics forums!

Be sure to check out our partners at Repp Sports! They offer the first-ever crowd-sourced, no carb, no sugar, energy drink called RAZE and much more! Use the link above or add the promo code OTH1 at checkout to get 30% off your order!