The Detroit Lions are stuck in no-mans land. They’re the NFL’s equivalent a team earning the No. 8 seed in the NBA year after year—never good enough to compete for a championship but also not bad enough to enter a full rebuild.
Attempting to restructure the Lions without tearing it down is a difficult task, and it probably can’t be done as long as Matthew Stafford is around. That’s not a knock on Stafford’s ability, but simply the reality based on his contract. Stafford carries a $29.5M cap hit into 2019, the second highest in the league, according to Spotrac. That number rises to $31.5M in 2020 and then sits at $30M in 2021.
Those numbers make it harder for the Lions to fill out the rest of the roster. And while Stafford is clearly among the better quarterbacks in the league, he also isn’t the type who can carry a depleted roster to the playoffs by himself.
As the Lions enter another year of attempting to tinker with the roster despite limited resources, here’s a breakdown of the areas they should addressnz.
Pass-Rusher
Collectively, the Lions pass-rush got the job done in 2018, but they lack an individual pass-rusher who can consistently make a difference.
According to Sports Info Solutions, the Lions ranked 16th in pressure rate in 2018. However, among players with at least 200 pass-rush snaps, only one Lions player ranked in the top 75 in pressure rate (Devon Kennard, 67th).
Adding an edge-rusher is an absolute must, and likely will be their top priority with the No. 8 overall selection. An interior pass-rusher is less of a need, but could still be an option if the value presents itself.
Cornerback
Darius Slay remains the key to the Lions secondary and he’s under contract through 2020. The rest of the cornerback depth chart, however, remains an issue.
Nevin Lawson has done a passable job opposite Slay, but finding an upgrade should still be on the Lions to-do list this offseason, especially since he has just one year remaining on his contract.
Detroit had hoped former second-round pick Teez Tabor would have locked down that job by now, but he’s inching ever closer to the bust label. According to Sports Info Solutions, Tabor allowed a team-worst 15.8 yards per catchable target in 2018. The NFL average among cornerbacks was 10.9.
Tabor is under contract through 2020, but the Lions shouldn’t count on his development at this point. It’s time to reinvest in the position.
Wide Receiver
Kenny Golloday has emerged as a No. 1 weapon in Detroit. And Marvin Jones is an adequate No. 2. The depth behind them, however, is atrocious.
42.7 percent of Golloday’s targets came in the slot this year, according to Sports Info Solutions. And when Golloday shifts inside, that means T.J. Jones or Theo Riddick or Andy Jones or some other over-matched receiver is forced outside. Adding a more competent threat to that group should be a goal this offseason.
Ideally, Detroit can add another deep threat. Golloday led the team with 11 receptions on 22 targets at 20 or more yards downfield. But Golloday is more of a jump-ball deep threat. He picked up just 72 yards after the catch on those deep balls.
A receiver who can stretch the field with his speed would help open things up for the rest of the passing game.
Offensive Line
The Lions entire offensive line is under contract, but it would be wise for them to plan ahead for 2020. T.J. Lang and Graham Glasgow both hit free agency after the 2019 season. Taylor Decker will also likely see a significant pay increase, assuming the Lions pick up his fifth-year option for 2020.
Picking up Decker’s option and re-signing both Lang and Glasgow probably wouldn’t be financially responsible, so bringing in another young prospect or two to groom behind them wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Of course, if Lang gets cut this offseason (the Lions can save just over $8M by doing so) this becomes more of an immediate need.
