Detroit Lions
2019 Record: (3-12-1)
4th NFC North
2019 Season Recap:
Offense
Points: 21.3 (18th)
Yards: 346.8 (17th)
Pass Yards: 243.8 (10th)
Rush Yards: 103.1 (21st)
Defense
Points: 26.4 (26th)
Yards: 400.4 (31st)
Pass Yards: 284.4 (32nd)
Rush Yards: 115.9 (21st)
Many things come to mind when we dive
into what the Detroit Lions have been and what they were this past season. So
far under Coach Matt Patricia, nothing resembling a Bill Belichick process has
come to pass even with him being a former Patriot disciple. While the 2019
season did have a good level of expectation attached – the loss of Matthew
Stafford was far too big to overcome. Based on the season ending injury to his
franchise quarterback, ownership provided a pass and gave a vow of confidence for
Patricia to return for at least one more campaign.
In terms of trying to find some
positives from the past season – we really needed to dig deep. Outside of some
individual player accomplishments and what the future might hold, there wasn’t
a heck of a lot to get excited about from the 2019 edition of the Lions.
So with that said, we’ll be kind to
Lions fans and not rehash more pain for what they’ve already endured.
Highlighting the potentials for the 2020 off-season is where we shall take this.
Come with me as we move forward.
2020 Offseason
WorkBook:
The Offense
Starting at the quarterback position and
reviewing the first year and second year with Coach Patricia, Stafford looked
like a completely different player. Showing high levels of frustration in 2018,
Stafford rose to the occasion and looked like that elite level passer in many
of his eight contests he took part in. If Stafford managed to play the entire
season he was on pace to reach 4998 passing yards, 38 touchdown passes, and
only 10 interceptions – extremely impressive. With much off-season chatter
already swirling to suggest he could be dealt to another organization, we
aren’t buying that notion for a second. Even as Stafford enters his 12th
season at the age of 32 years old – he still has plenty left in the tank and we
fully expect him to return to lead this team.
Heading to review a position that has
generated a good level of debate, the running back position for the Lions seems
to forever have a curse since the great Barry Sanders hung up his cleats. Many
fans and prognosticators still have a good level of belief in Kerryon Johnson
to be the answer to their struggles on the ground, we can’t be as polite to
offer any such endorsement. Don’t get me wrong, I do feel that he does hold a
good level of talent but Johnson will not be the solution in motor-city. The
Lions need to face facts and get this right once and for all. Searching the
free agent market could bring with it good fortune as Melvin Gordon should be
ripe for the picking. But again as we suggest that, injuries to Gordon are a
grave concern also.
For our appetite, scoring one of the
best runners in the upcoming draft is where this position could finally be
resolved. J.K Dobbins, Jonathan Taylor, DeAndre Swift would all view as massive
upgrades to the Lions running back room and would provide an instant,
consistent lift. How long will Detroit ignore this problem?
When it comes to the absolute positives
that grace this roster – the receiving core could and should be viewed as one
of the better units in the entire league. Kenny Golladay continued to take
leaps in his progression piling up stats in the process. Reaching career highs
in yards (1190) and touchdowns (11), one would have to believe he has just
scratching the surface. In providing that gleaming outlook, one cannot forget
about his partner in crime (Marvin Jones) who also continues to flash big play
appeal. Though his 2019 season was cut short to an injury which caused him to
miss four contests, Jones would’ve undoubtedly gone back over the 1000-yard
mark as well.
Rounding out the group with Danny
Amendola from the slot position, there was very sound production from this trio
early on in the season. Looking ahead to 2020, we wouldn’t be upset to see
Amendola’s spot upgraded but would be ok to see him return.
Staying the course to discuss pass
catching weapons on this offense, we can’t forget about the great potential of
their now second year tight end TJ Hockenson. Coming out of last year’s draft
we felt as though the Lions hit a true home run when they chose to snag him in
the first round – eighth overall. And while his first contest looked to be
foreshadowing of great things to come – nothing materialized on the stat sheet
to warrant high praise. Nevertheless, Hockenson is still only 22 years old and
has the taste of what a full NFL season really is. Teamed with that talent of
the wide receivers, Hockenson will be a force on this offense without question.
Even as we could angle to add play
making options to this group, offensive line assistance and running back help
should be a top priority this off-season. The outlook isn’t as grim as their
2019 record indicates and Detroit should be much better in 2020 on this side of
the ball.
The Defense
The baffling aspect to any club that has
a head coach with a defensive pedigree always rests in how can they play so
poorly? Ranking near the bottom in all statistical rankings, the Lions almost
require a complete overhaul to help move forward.
Starting with the defensive front and
the absolute lack of pressure and sacks on opposing quarterbacks, Detroit
managed only 28 team sacks on the season. With that, high priced free agent
acquisition Trey Flowers did his best in securing seven take-downs, he truly had
little help while facing double teams. While we also like the potential from
Da’Shawn Hand to be a player, he missed virtually the entire season to injury. One
cannot discuss a group and not include A’Shawn Robinson as a youthful key cog
to this room. Being a steady fixture in the middle – you would have to believe
the Lions would be breaking down his door to bring him back to the club.
Even as we see good pieces on the front
line, the line backing core does need much more assistance. Jarrad Davis is a
favorite of ours and we will continue to preach the sound ability he possesses.
And while Devon Kennard did show flash in getting to the quarterback, another
elite weapon is needed to help make this group powerful over decent. Thoughts
immediately turn to the NFL draft where the Lions will be a strong candidate to
select Clemson standout Isaiah Simmons to help in that star talent regard.
Imagine the possibilities of having a true match-up nightmare play alongside
Davis – the schemes would be endless.
Finally to land on the secondary the
Lions employ, more pain could be forthcoming as their star Darius Slay has been
rumored to be traded at some point this off-season. Having already removed Quandre
Diggs in a mid season trade to the Seahawks last season, we still can’t fathom
any reasonable notion to let Slay walk out of town. With that, we had moments
of encouragement when watching Justin Coleman play as he too looked the part of
being a reliable piece. Even as the tape showed contests where he was outmatched,
we still believe he is a great complimentary piece to any secondary.
Outside of that, the Lions do have quite
a bit of work to do in hopes to improve this unit. Perhaps if a deal can be
reached to ship Slay to another club – the extra draft picks would help Coach
Patricia get the players he feels he can be victorious with. The light isn’t
dim just flickering and sometimes flicking bright.
Team Free Agents / Team Salary Cap
For any team which continues to
underachieve one would believe a good level of free cap space would grace the
books. In the Lions case they currently hover around the league average as 46.8
million is where they stand today. Having a mere 18 players to consider
offering up new contracts too, we should see more subtraction from this roster
over offering up extensions to most.
Right off the bat, A’Shawn Robinson has
to be the top choice to be resigned to the club as this 25 year old run-stuffer
should only continue to improve. Mike Daniels is another interesting player as
he too could help in keeping opposing running backs in check and would fetch a
bargain price to come back to Detroit. J.D McKissic has some value in being
that third down pass catching weapon with scheme appeal. Outside of that, the
remaining team free agents appear to hold nothing more than depth spots that
could be upgraded later this off-season.
For matters of finding more positive
funds for this team to work with there is a reason Slay is an attractive piece
to move. Currently eating up a health 6.17% of the teams total cap space, his
salary rests with a 13.3 million dollar hit. Trading him would only create a
minimal 2.9 million headed to dead cap which could get him off the team rather
easily. Left tackle Taylor Decker isn’t a player that would be removed from the
club but rather a contract extension should be in the cards to lower his 2020
cap number. Holding a generous 10.35 million against the cap, working out a new
deal would drop a few million off the top for the upcoming season.
Other than that, the Lions contracts are
built with far too much bonus cash to remove which would incur heavy losses
heading to dead cap.
The NFL Draft
Heading into the NFL draft, Detroit holds
seven selections to their name as of today which includes an extra fifth round
pick and no seventh rounder on the board. The great thing about finishing so
poorly in the regular season is that a top choice comes to help rebuild the
team. Holding the third overall pick in the first round, Detroit could also
move in many directions.
With so many clubs vying to select their
a new answer at the quarterback position, the Lions find themselves in a
position of strength to trade down and still get the player they covet. With
Joe Burrow likely going to Cincinnati first overall the door is wide open to
make moves. Chase Young is clearly one of the best prospects in the draft and
would be difficult to move on from if he fell to number three. Like we
mentioned above, Isaiah Simmons is definitely a player to watch as his combine
was off the charts and would change the entire fabric of this defensive side.
Needless to say if those two players are
on the board we wouldn’t criticize the Lions for moving in that direction.
However, securing more picks which could include future first round selections
– it would be very difficult to entertain not moving down. With all that said,
the Lions have the opportunity to right the ship but executing on a perfect
draft will be the key.
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