This is the eighth in an eight-part series that shows the Detroit Lions’ positional needs moving toward agency. The trading window officially opens on March 15, and trades can be signed from March 17. Today: Defensive line Previously: Wide receivers | Running backs | Quarterbacks | Tight tips | Offensive line | Defensive line | Secondary
Under contract: Jamie Collins, Jahlani Tavai, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Anthony Pittman (future)
Expired contracts: Reggie Ragland, Jarrad Davis, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Christian Jones (released)
Best available: Shaquil Barrett (Bucs), KJ Wright (Seahawks), Jayon Brown (Titans), Eric Wilson (Vikings), Kyle Van Noy (Dolphins)
Other names to note: Samson Ebukam (Rams), Alex Anzalone (Saints), Denzel Perryman (Chargers), Leonard Floyd (Rams), Bud Dupree (Steelers), Haason Reddick (Cardinals), Matthew Judon (Ravens), Nick Vigil (Chargers), Neville Hewitt (Jets), Kwon Alexander (Santos), De’Vondre Campbell (Cardinals), Avery Williamson (Steelers), BJ Goodson (Brown)
Discrimination: Detroit Lions need linebackers, whether we’re talking inside, outside the ball, on the ball or creating pressure outside the edge, you choose, and they need it. We maintained our view of the defensive line more centered on those who put their hands on the ground more often than not, therefore, more edge scrapers appeared in this summary. It is worth noting that the top of the free agent linebackers team took significant bids with Matt Milano resigning in Buffalo and Lavonte David doing the same in Tampa Bay.
Jarrad Davis was denied his fifth-year option around this time last year. Christian Jones was released in a recent cost-cutting move, with Reggie Ragland and Jalen Reeves-Maybin from special teams with no deals. Jamie Collins, last year’s most significant free agent for the defense, had his contract restructured, with Lions working to stay below the $ 182.5 million salary cap. In addition, Josina Anderson reports the team remains interested in signing Reeves-Maybin again.
Davis, for what it’s worth, remained beloved in the locker room by teammates and coaches throughout his four-year term, despite never meeting the expectations in the field that come with being a choice in the first round. The NFL Network reports Davis could have more than two teams requesting his services this week, with the top of the group of free agents being hit early on.
Detroit acquired Shaun Dion Hamilton through resignations after the end of the season, adding another linebacker with some professional experience. Still on the topic of internal names, Jahlani Tavai is entering a critical third year. The second round of 2019 did not show much, despite 31 games and 16 matches in two seasons. He had only 58 tackles last year, despite appearing in 16 games, without registering a serve or interception. Pro Football Focus placed Tavai in 96th place among 99 linebackers, with enough moves to qualify, placing Detroit’s new technical team in dire need of finding capable bodies.
The Buccaneers have been busy eliminating the top talent in the linebacker market, rehiring David and reportedly starting work on a long-term deal for Shaquil Barrett. If Barrett hits the market, it’s hard to imagine him not running a serious coin with 27.5 bags in his last 31 games. His number of withdrawals dropped last year, but his pressures remained high, with his 77 trailing only 98 behind Aaron Donald among all defenders. With that said, don’t get your hopes up for Barrett. He is probably not looking to leave the defending champions for a team without a cap that is facing a long reconstruction.
With Milano and David out of the board before the negotiation period, the focus is on KJ Wright. It’s hard to imagine the linebacker playing anywhere but Seattle, even after his comments, he doesn’t want to have an internal discount. Wright is as consistent as the linebackers come and he would be quite victorious at this stage in his career. The 31-year-old had 86 tackles, two sacks and an interception in 16 games last season. He played his entire 10-year career with the Seahawks.
Kyle Van Noy finds his name back on the market a year before signing a $ 51 million contract with the Dolphins for four years. He posted six sacks and 69 tackles in 13 games in Miami last year. Chasing the quarterback is what Van Noy does best, and the former runoff player for Detroit is still a talented pass-rusher, despite Miami’s economic decision.
This brings us to Samson Ebukam, Alex Anzalone and Denzel Perryman, among others, in the more realistic market, each with a level of familiarity with the team or front office. Ebukam was a fourth round pick for the Rams in 2017, while Lions’ new general manager, Brad Holmes, headed LA’s scouting department. He started 14 games as a full-back defender last season, accumulating 4.5 sacks and 31 tackles in 364 snaps. Ebukam’s production will not surprise anyone, but there is enough to suggest that it may have more to offer than advertised with a bigger role.
Perryman is an old school linebacker, being one of, if not the, most feared obstacle in the market position. He has been struggling to stay on the pitch consistently since joining the league in 2015. Still, Lions need linebackers, and although Perryman will not worry about stopping the pass, he will improve his running defense. Anthony Lynn, the Lions’ first-year offensive coordinator, has been its head coach for the past four seasons. If Davis lands elsewhere in the off-season, Perryman is one to watch.
Anzalone is another name with connections to the new team, playing under the command of Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn in New Orleans for four seasons. The linebacker had a difficult showing in his last game against the Buccaneers in the playoffs, but a change of scenery and a clearer path to playing time can boost the often injured linebacker.