The Detroit Lions can have quite the season in 2024. The Lions will have a few weak spots if they play the off-season correctly. So how should they attack the off-season? Well, first you have to look at contract extensions. The players the Lions should look to re-sign:
Jared Goff
Graham Glasgow
Craig Reynolds
Khalil Dorsey
Brock Wright
Jalen Reeves-Maybin
James Houston
Anthony Pittman
There are some players the Lions could look to re-sign Josh Reynolds or Donovan Peoples-Jones this off-season or perhaps even both for the WR 4 role. The Lions also would have to look at new free agents to sign. The Lions would need to identify what position groups to target. I believe the Lions needs are:
EDGE
DT
CB
WR
ILB
The defensive line is by far the biggest group of the team that needs to be addressed. Outside of Aidan Hutchinson, they lack a real and consistent threat next to him. They do have Alim McNeil but McNeil was too inconsistent he was good in spurts and the Lions can't afford to bank on McNeil becoming a force. I think they will target an EDGE rusher for multiple reasons. 1. The Lions are too far back in the draft to rely on a rookie to be a weapon 2. There are proven EDGE rushers in this class that you can grab in FA. Here are the top EDGE rushers for us to target:
Brian Burns DE Carolina
Johnathan Greenard DE Texans
Denico Autry Titans
These 3 are the top options and there are good arguments for all three players. Burns had the durability and reliability and he is younger than Denico. Greenard is going to be cheaper than Burns but that is because of Greenard's injury history. Autry only has age concerns being 33 years old compared to Burns (25) and Greenard (26). Personally, if I am Brad Holmes I am going either Autry or I am going all in and grabbing Burns. Greenard has never played a 16-game season in his career and has only reached 15 games once and I wouldn't take the risk of grabbing Greenard. So then you have to ask Burns or Autry? Burns is a projected 16 million a year and he will be the most coveted EDGE rusher even if the Lions want him they may not be able to afford him. I think the Lions should go grab Denico Autry for these reasons.
Autry will be cheaper than both Greenard and Burns
Autry had his best season with the new Lions defensive line coach Terrell Williams
Autry is a reliable player in the run game and has a high floor
Since Autry is 33 this also opens up some younger players like Josh Paschal and James Houston to still make an impact and push for a long-term role in the future
Overall you could get two to three good seasons out of Autry and you could still afford to re-sign Jared Goff and other players as well if you grab him.
Then you have to ask yourself who else the Lions should grab. I believe the Lions should target Nate Landman from Atlanta. Landman would be an upgrade from Derrick Barnes (and Alex Anzalone.) he had 110 tackles 2 sacks 3 FF and 1 interception. He did so with terrible coaching and defense. He is also 25 and can still grow. I also would target Greg Gaines a NT from Tampa. Gaines would be a great competition with 2023 3rd-round pick Brodric Martin. Gaines would be a cheap add and would make it so you wouldn't be forced to play him and he has a high floor and high ceiling. He also allows you to still draft a defensive tackle as Gaines is mainly not a non-NT. He also has connections to Brad Holmes.
I would sign Rashid Shaheed to the Lions as well. Shaheed would be a great WR to add to the competition even if the Lions bring back Josh Reynolds I believe they should add competition. I believe the Lions see it too as they brought in Donovan Peoples-Jones last season. Reynolds dropped the ball 4 times in the regular season and 3 times in the playoffs. 7 drops in a season just can't be allowed and Reynolds is just not a high-end backup. He is a WR4. Shaheed had himself a nice season 719 yards 15.6 avg and 5 touchdowns with New Orleans last season. He also only had 2 drops. Shaheed is also a better deep threat than Reynolds is. Signing Shaheed also allows you to still draft a WR or you can be satisfied with him as your WR3 with JAMO and St Brown. Either way, he could be an underrated add.
Then you have to look at the draft. That I will do in another post.
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