Last week, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell noted that he does not expect much more changes in the player roster between now and the start of the draft.
“It doesn’t mean that there are no things that we won’t see or want to do, but I don’t think we’re in a hurry to do anything before the draft,” said Campbell.
Detroit really added $ 15 million in cap space recently by restructuring Jared Goff’s contract, giving them much-needed breathing space, but don’t expect Lions to suddenly go shopping. Even if Lions hire some players before recruiting – and this is very likely – they will not be talented to change the franchise.
Essentially, the lineup they have now will be relatively similar when they enter the NFL’s 2021 Draft, which will now take less than a month. Now is a good time to redefine the list, assess what Lions have and see the greatest needs of the team.
For a team in a rebuild, the need is not so important in the draft. General manager Brad Holmes must really accept reconstruction and find talent instead of holemakers. Even if he focused on meeting needs, there are not many positions that would not support a long-term upgrade.
Even so, here are the six biggest holes in the team, taking into account the immediate and the future.
Note: the order is random, not by need classification.
Wide receiver (x2)
As of now, Lions do not have an entry-level slot receiver, unless the plan is to give that position to sophomore Quintez Cephus. Lions may have added some intriguing options at Breshad Perriman and Tyrell Williams, but neither of them plans to be the No. 1 receiver and both have one-year deals.
The truth is that, after allowing all beginners from last year to get free agency, there is no obvious plan for the future of that position. Don’t be surprised to see Lions double in the wide receiver in the draft, or maybe even in draft three, if they pick up some extra choices.
Offensive tackling
With last week’s revelation that Lions are intrigued about moving Halapoulivaati Vaitai in for guard, this leaves Lions with a huge hole in the right attack. At the moment, Tyrell Crosby is scheduled to start there, but the ex-pick of the fifth round has proven over the past three years that he is best served as a reserve swing tackle.
Even though Lions plan to have Crosby as their starter this year, 2021 is the last year in their rookie contract. Now is the time to plan for the future.
Defensive equipment (nose)
Although the Rams defense – which Lions are trying to emulate on the defensive front – does not depend on a full-time nose tackle, it does require one in some subpackages. After dismissing Danny Shelton, the Lions only have John Penisini able to play in the sixth round of last year. His debut season was promising, but he has a lot of work to do before he is considered a quality starter.
But even going beyond the nose, defensive tackles are a great need for the future. Only Penisini and Michael Brockers signed after 2021. Da’Shawn Hand, Nick Williams, John Atkins, Joel Heath and Kevin Strong are ready to become free agents next year. It’s time for Lions to find someone Brockers can bring.
Linebacker off the ball
Lions could probably live with current linebackers with Jamie Collins Senior, newly hired Alex Anzalone and rehired Jalen Reeves-Maybin to go along with Jahlani Tavai and Shaun-Dion Hamilton, but again, there are no long-term plans here.
The only linebackers hired after 2021 are Collins – who has only two years on the contract, and Tavai, who has such a bad schedule now that Campbell almost forgot he was in the squad.
Cornerback
With the recent addition of Corn Elder, Lions are probably starting three in Jeff Okudah, Amani Oruwariye and Elder. Although I think this group of young players absolutely needs a veteran to guide them, they can also use some contingency plans for the future. (Note: remember that Lions will welcome veteran corner Quinton Dunbar on a visit this week.)
Okudah probably has enough talent to start in this league, but Lions shouldn’t be so sure about Oruwariye. 2021 will be a year of testing for both players and, if they have the talent to do so, this coaching staff should be able to draw from them.
But Lions must not wait to bring in the competition. The future of this unit is still very undecided, and only Okudah and Oruwariye are under contract after 2021.
Safety
The safety position is as young as the cornerback, but there It’s a starting job available for 2021. Tracy Walker is expected to start, but Will Harris’ early career was difficult, and it would be wise in Detroit to consider the second security post open for competition.
Detroit has not managed to add any talent in the free agency position until now, which means that security is probably one of the three main needs of this team at the moment. Again, there seems to be no plan for the future, as only Harris is signed after 2021. Since Lions need an immediate initiator and someone for the future, don’t be surprised if they take security on Day 1 (pending reduction) or on day 2 of the draft.