Inexplicably, the Detroit Lions made the playoffs for the second time in three seasons of the Jim Caldwell era, I believe in defiance of God’s will. The Lions benefited from a weak second-tier in the NFC, with teams like the Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins. Somebody had to make the final NFC Wild Card seed and the Lions were that someone, exiting the playoffs as quickly as they entered.
But hey, just getting the tip in still counts for the Lions and Caldwell, so he’s back for at least another year of inept and mediocre coaching. God help you, Lions fans. Let’s take a look at how he and general manager Bob Quinn kept the band together this off-season.
Free Agents Kept
Don Muhlbach, Long Snapper
Free Agents Gained
Darren Fells, Tight End, formerly of the Arizona Cardinals
D.J. Hayden, Cornerback, formerly of the Oakland Raiders
Jordan Hill, Defensive Tackle, formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars
T.J. Lang, Offensive Guard, formerly of the Green Bay Packers
Akeem Spence, Defensive Tackle, formerly of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ricky Wagner, Offensive Tackle, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens
Paul Worrilow, Middle Linebacker, formerly of the Atlanta Falcons
Free Agents Left
Riley Reiff, Offensive Tackle, signed with the Minnesota Vikings
Andre Roberts, Wide Receiver, signed with the Atlanta Falcons
Larry Warford, Offensive Guard, signed with the New Orleans Saints
DeAndre Levy, Outside Linebacker, currently a free agent
Devin Taylor, Defensive End, signed with the New York Giants
2017 NFL Draft
Round 1: Jarrad Davis, Linebacker, Florida
Round 2: Teez Tabor, Cornerback, Florida
Round 3: Kenny Golladay, Wide Receiver, Northern Illinois
Round 4: Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Linebacker, Tennessee
Round 4: Michael Roberts, Tight End, Toledo
Round 5: Jamal Agnew, Cornerback, San Diego
Round 6: Jeremia Ledbetter, Defensive End, Arkansas
Round 6: Brad Kaaya, Quarterback, Miami
Round 7: Pat O’Connor, Defensive End, Eastern Michigan
Proposed Offensive Starters
QB: Matt Stafford
RB: Ameer Abdullah
WR: Golden Tate
WR: Marvin Jones
WR: Jared Abbrederis
LT: Greg Robinson
RT: Ricky Wagner
LG: Graham Glasgow
RG: T.J. Lang
C: Travis Swanson
Offensive Outlook
Unlike last season, the Lions didn’t lose any major pieces at the skill positions. In fact, they get a guy back in Ameer Abdullah who missed all but two games last season in the backfield. The Lions did find some nice depth at the position with Zach Zenner. Theo Riddick continues to be a weapon on third down and one quarterback Matt Stafford isn’t afraid to check down to in a hurry.
For Stafford, his first Calvin Johnson-less year couldn’t have gone better. His numbers remained the same, showing that he was just as responsible for Johnson’s success. While Marvin Jones brings nowhere near the skillset as Johnson to the table, he’s a solid No. 2. The problem with the Lions is Golden Tate is also a No. 2. If there’s a true No. 1 on this roster, he’s yet to emerge.
Up front, especially early is where this offense will be hurting. Losing Taylor Decker until December at least is a huge blow, forcing Detroit to trade for former Los Angeles Rams turnstile and penalty machine Greg Robinson. It’s a significant downgrade, but one the Lions couldn’t have prepared for.
Proposed Defensive Starters
DE: Cornelius Washington
DE: Ezekiel Ansah
DT: A’Shawn Robinson
DT: Haloti Ngata
OLB: Paul Worrilow
OLB: Tahir Whitehead
MLB: Jarrad Davis
CB: Darius Slay
CB: Nevin Lawson
FS: Glover Quin
SS: Tavon Wilson
Defensive Outlook
Detroit had a decent defense last season, finishing ranked No. 13 in the league, but they didn’t sit on their paws this off-season. The Lions upgraded their linebackers through the draft and free agency. Tahir Whitehead is already a budding star and recorded 123 tackles and six passes defended last season in 15 games. He’ll find his job a lot easier with rookie Jarrad Davis in the middle and the underrated Paul Worrilow, formerly of the NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons, on the other side.
Ziggy Ansah had a down season at defensive end, recording just two sacks. He’s getting pushed hard from the bench by Kerry Hyder, who picked up 36 tackles and led the team with eight sacks last season with just two official starts. With Hyder and Akeem Spence both rotating in, this is a solid group. If Ansah returns to form, they could be elite.
This defensive backfield made a ton of tackles last season, which is good for the stat sheet, but not what you want unless you like giving up first downs and yardage. Still, the Lions have one of the better corners in the game in Darius Slay and you can say the same thing about free safety Glover Quin. Nevin Lawson is solid at corner and rookie Teez Tabor will likely slide right into the starting slot position.
Grade: B
The Lions didn’t lose anything they couldn’t replace in free agency, and you can’t count Decker’s need for surgery against them. This is still a dangerous team, but one that barely made the playoffs in 2016 and probably shouldn’t in 2017.
O/U wins: 7.5
Preseason Schedule
Week 1: at Indianapolis Colts
Week 2: New York Jets
Week 3: New England
Week 4: at Buffalo Bills
Regular Season Schedule
Week 1: Arizona Cardinals
Key game: If the Lions are going to return to the postseason, they’ll likely be looking at a Wild Card berth. That means games like the Cardinals, teams potentially in their way, loom even larger. Winning this one right out the gate could matter all season, especially with the killer schedule Detroit is facing in September.
Week 2: at New York Giants
Week 3: Atlanta Falcons
Week 4: at Minnesota Vikings
Week 5: Carolina Panthers
Week 6: at New Orleans Saints
Week 7: BYE
Week 8: Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 9: at Green Bay Packers
Week 10: Cleveland Browns
Week 11: at Chicago Bears
Week 12: Minnesota Vikings
Week 13: at Baltimore Ravens
Week 14: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 15: Chicago Bears
Week 16: at Cincinnati Bengals
Week 17: Green Bay Packers
Key game: The Lions could very well find themselves in a “win and you’re in” scenario. It happened last season, but Detroit didn’t; get it done. Luckily for the Lions, they got some help, but they can’t count on that kind of luck every year. Getting this game at home on Ford Field with a Packers team possibly playing for a division or home field, will probably be your Sunday afternoon or night game.
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