The Detroit Lions have made a flurry of moves to start the offseason and it started with a splash by signing arguably the best free agent in this class in Trey Flowers to help on the EDGE. They locked down Jesse James and Logan Thomas to help bring stability within the tight ends. Additionally, they brought in a slew of defensive backs to Motown by signing cornerbacks Justin Coleman, and Rashaan Melvin, safety Andrew Adams, while also re-signed cornerback Marcus Cooper.
To help out the receiving corps, they signed veteran Danny Amendola and gadget receiver Tommylee Lewis. They addressed the offensive line after the departure of T.J. Lang, by signing Oday Aboushi at guard and re-signing Andrew Donnel at tackle. Finally, Zach Zenner was also re-signed to boost the running back corps.
General manager Bob Quinn made some savvy moves to help bolster some of the Lions’ weaknesses, some receiving resounding applause, and others nothing more than a shoulder shrug, but the brilliance of Quinn shows in making sure the Lions can go best player available versus need come draft day.
Even though they signed Flowers, it shouldn’t take them out of taking an EDGE player considering this is where the strength of this draft class is. Flowers will transform this defense in a way that could only be described as game-changing and he gives the Lions the freedom and flexibility to address other areas if the draft doesn’t fall their way. If by chance, there is a run of EDGE defenders before the Lions go on the clock, they don’t need to reach for one in the first round and possibly go in another direction and address EDGE later on.
The tight end corps is probably the area that needs the most attention, but with the signing James, they assured they won’t have to pick one high in the draft. Also, bringing in converted tight end Thomas, a player the Lions coveted before he was plucked away by the Buffalo Bills, should assist in the new look tight end group. The Lions selecting a tight end in this draft is a mere formality at this point, but they can stick to their draft board and select a position that might be higher on their list, considering this is one of the deepest tight end classes in recent memory.
Many Lions pundits have been banging the table to get some help opposite of Slay and Quinn swung for the fences this year, signing Coleman, Melvin, and Cooper, giving them a plethora of options. Coleman is considered one of the better nickel cornerbacks in the league and if needed could play on the outside as well. Melvin had a down year last season, but with Lions’ improved pass rush, it should play to his strengths and fit in perfectly. They give the Lions the luxury to find the best selection available and not go high on cornerback than they probably should, especially since the strength of this cornerback class is later in the draft.
When Golden Tate was traded, the lack of receiver depth ramifications was an eye-opening ordeal for Quinn and he made sure not to make the same mistake again by addressing it this offseason signing Amendola and Lewis. Amendola will fill the vacant slot receiver spot and should bring stability with his strong hands and dependability. Lewis is at best a WR5 and special teamer and will compete with the likes of Brandon Powell and Andy Jones. There are strong slot receiver options in this class, but nowhere near to warrant a top 10 pick. Even though Amendola might a band-aid for this year, he is a reliable enough option the Lions could indulge the receiver spot later in the draft.
I know the majority of Lions’ fans went scrambling to find out who Aboushi was and probably came away more questions than answers. He is someone who brings starter experience, familiar with the scheme having played under offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, and could potentially compete for the starting right guard spot after the release/retirement of T.J. Lang. He may not be more than a fill-in for this year, but the Lions won’t be rushed to try to fill guard considering there is an abundance of interior offensive linemen the Lions could go after in the draft and they may not want to use another high draft pick on an offensive lineman.
Quinn learned from his mistakes last year and brought in a number of players that not only bring depth to troubled areas but who could even potentially compete to start. With all of these signings, Quinn made sure his hand wasn’t forced to go after need in favor of best player available come draft day. This allows the Lions to supplement different positions and not rely on the draftees heavily and could bring them in slowly, learning from the number of veterans Quinn brought in to help the Lions this season.
