For decades, NFL teams have built their line-ups by investing significant capital in players closer to the ball and, in turn, placing a reduced value on players further away from the ball. This ideology matched the concepts of the scheme of the time, in which the execution of a blunt offense was more valuable than the passing game.
Currently, the NFL is a passing league, but only recently have we seen franchises making conscious efforts to move away from old team-building strategies and evolve to a more modern approach.
Earlier in the week, Chris Spielman appeared on the local radio station 97.1 The Ticket to discuss various Detroit Lions topics, including how impressed he was with Shelia Ford Hamp’s involvement in team meetings and her philosophy of building lists. Their approach leads Lions to adapt to this growing trend in the NFL.
“I’m going to have to ask Brad (Holmes) or Dan (Campbell) for this theory, but I have a theory that you kind of, when I played … you used to build from the inside out,” said Spielman via Free Press. “Well, call today, I think you build from the outside in.”
The concept of building from the outside in emphasizes placing the ball quickly in the hands of your ace in the attack. In defense, coverage takes precedence over race interruption.
“You can always create pass rush with pressure,” an NFL coach told the Chicago Tribune. “But it is difficult to create pass coverage – the ability to cover one by one. If you have a guy who knows he can destroy one side of the field, this is very valuable. I would like both, but if I have to choose one, I will get a cornerback. “
Pro Football Focus did a study of coverage vs. data. rush passage and its findings also support this idea, pointing out that both are valuable in their own ways. The ability to cover matters more when measuring the value of a specific player, however.
This concept has led teams to change their recent draft strategies, as defensive players who can provide coverage – linebackers Devin White and Devin Bush, as well as corner kick Jeff Okudah – have been recruited above previous trends.
Spielman’s comments may also suggest that Lions can prioritize pass pickers and defenders who can cover this off-season. This aligns with expectations that Lions will model some of their defenses based on the 2020 Rams, which built their defense from the secondary on.
Changing your defense to one influenced by the Rams makes sense on many levels. Lions won’t have to make major adjustments to the players ‘staff, Rams’ defense was the best in the NFL in 2020 and Holmes has directed his college scouting department for the past eight years – giving him a unique understanding of how to make this transition.
Lions have a young secondary base to build with the corners Okudah and Amani Oruwariye developing their craft, as well as security guards Tracy Walker and Will Harris – both of whom are looking to improve in a difficult 2020 season. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn even did a matter of mentioning them at his press conference earlier this month, pointing out how these players reminded him of the group he had when he first took over in New Orleans.
But the seven Lions defenders are by no means a complete unit. Desmond Trufant and Justin Coleman are potential victims of the limit and initial security Duron Harmon is a free agent who may or may not fit into the schematic shift. In addition to Jamie Collins, Lions do not have linebackers who can provide coverage.
This means that Lions may need to prioritize obtaining initial security, a nickel option, and an NFL free agency draft or fast coverage linebacker. Keep an eye on John Johnson (Rams safety) and Marcus Williams (Saints safety) as potential game-changing additions at the free agency, as well as Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons in the first round of the draft.
In attack, it is much simpler: find as many wide receivers as possible.
Lions can count on running back D’Andre Swift and professional TJ Hockenson from the tight end for offensive production, but Quintez Cephus is the only wide receiver under contract for 2021 who contributed in 2020.
This lack of recipients is the reason why so many believe that Kenny Golladay is a strong candidate for the franchise brand or to receive a contract extension in the near future – although the debate over whether to re-sign, book or let go, is still being discussed locally.
Regardless of what happens to Golladay, based on external philosophy, Lions are likely to seek to add more receivers in the free agency and / or draft – and yes, that includes using general choice # 7 in an offensive weapon pass capture, such as Ja’Marr Chase (LSU), DeVonta Smith (Alabama), Jaylen Waddle (Alabama) and Kyle Pitts (Florida).
Based on the depth of talent in the free agency and the draft, if Lions do adapt the exterior to the list building philosophy, expect them to invest significant capital – both draft and financial – in offensive / defensive players that will help them control the game passes.