With a significant chunk of spare salary cap space floating at the moment, we look at some of the key areas that the Lion’s will be targeting in the coming window.
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It’s been well over a month now since the Detroit Lions’ heartbreaking defeat to the San Francisco 49ers. While the loss in the NFC Championship final will still be stinging for the Lions, the franchise is about to approach a critical juncture in the club’s future.
Over the coming weeks, decisions will be made around key positions in Detroit’s squad with the NFL free agency window now active. Rumors have been linking them to Christian Wilkins, while Craig Reynolds and Emmanuel Moseley are also in the mix.
With a significant chunk of spare salary cap space floating at the moment, we look at some of the key areas that the Lion’s will be targeting in the coming window.
Detroit’s defensive line was a curious case last season. On the one hand, their run defense was some of the best in the league. However, when it came to pass rush, the Lions were far less effective. Sure, Aidan Hutchinson had some great numbers in this area, but the defensive end had far too little support.
This is an area that the Lions will be looking to improve heading into next season. How they go about doing that, is another story entirely. There are a range of different approaches Detroit could take. One option is to build depth so that they’re able to rotate effectively in the defensive line. Or, go to the other extreme, and invest in a high-end edge rusher, such as Christian Wilkins, that would be able to complement the bright-light of Hutchinson?
It seems that pursuing Wilkins is the most likely course of action, with rumors swirling already that the Lions are engaging the defensive tackler’s team. Wilkins has 20.5 sacks across his five seasons in the NFL so far, with almost half of those coming last year.
There’s one aspect of the Detroit Lions’ squad that stands head and shoulders above the rest of their identity: the offensive line. Those familiar with sports betting in Michigan will know the kind of odds offered by the sportsbooks on a regular basis for Frank Ragnow and Penei Sewell to perform. However, past performance doesn’t mean that the Lions can afford to sleep on their offensive line for next season.
Both Jonah Jackson and Graham Glasgow come with big price tags. It seems unlikely that the Lions will be able to keep both players, with at least one of the linesmen likely to be released. Chances are this will be Jackson–his salary is the higher of the two, and Glasgow offers a little more flexibility and cover across the row.
Releasing Jackson would then necessitate an acquisition in this area, either through the draft or a re-engagement. With the 29th pick in the draft some impressive talent could be picked up; or, the experience of former Lion Evan Brown could be an option. Either way, a move in this direction will free up some of Detroit’s salary cap while continuing to bolster their offensive line.
It wouldn’t be the NFL if there weren’t some good old-fashioned injuries in key positions. The Detroit Lions certainly know plenty about this, with several of their lead cornerbacks suffering injuries across the past season. First it was, C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s pectoral tear, then Emmanuel Moseley’s ACL blow out.
With Cam Sutton being forced to hold down the cornerback role for most of the season due to these injuries, the position needs some bolstering now. The NFL free agency window is a prime opportunity to do so. Thankfully, a host of cornerbacks are now unrestricted free agents–Khalil Dorsey, Kindle Victor, Chase Lucas and Jerry Jacobs.
Releasing Gardner-Johnson could enable the Lions to get after one of these prospects. Another option is for them to add a cornerback through the draft, with L’Jarius Sneed a leading option. This would require a serious investment and likely their top draft pick, something they’d ideally like to avoid.
After blowing a 17 point lead in the NFC Championship final, the Detroit Lions will be an equal mix of disappointment and pride heading into next season. On the one hand, they should have had their moment in the sun at the Superbowl. But on the other hand, they are still well positioned to have a strong campaign later this year. Just how strong, will depend largely on the acquisitions they make over the upcoming NFL free agency window.
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