NFL
By: Greg Rector
Long-suffering Detroit Lions fans have to be ecstatic one week into the new league year. General manager Brad Holmes has done a masterful job thus far with free-agent signings. These signings are a clear signal that the Detroit Lions intend to roar in 2023. Clearly, they had a plan in place when Dan Campbell was named the head coach and what we’re seeing is that plan put into effect. Remember how I wrote about NFL teams looking past the immediate season and having an outlook for two and three seasons ahead? The Lions are looking to take the next step and become the dominant team in the NFC North.
The DraftNFL Combine 2023: Day 2 Surprises and Shocks
The Detroit Lions have had two good draft classes in a row. That means they have a lot of players on their rookie deals. Drafting smartly and hitting on picks is a dream scenario for every franchise and for many seasons the Lions would be on the outside of those team lists of who had the best draft. Brad Holmes has drafted good talent on the offensive line and defensive lines, along with wide receivers. With good talent still under team control for the next two and three seasons and another bevy of draft picks (8) in the 2023 draft including two first-round picks, the Lions’ young talent is the key to what we just saw them do in free agency.
Free Agency Needs
The glaring hole that was the Detroit Lions’ secondary needed and got attention in this free agency period. Starting with signing Cam Sutton formerly with the Steelers. Sutton immediately provides leadership and had 15 pass breakups along with three interceptions. He can play inside or outside versatility that defensive coaches crave in this era of so many sub-packages. He may be 28 but really has two seasons of being a starter in the league, previously he had only started 8 games. Emmanuel Mosley was added on a one-year 6 million dollar prove-it deal. Mosley is coming off an ACL injury but when he has been healthy he was pretty good for the Niners. Depth matters and Brad Holmes knows it. With two new corners, the safety position was up next and the Detroit Lions hit a possible homerun by signing CJ Gardner-Johnson to a one-year deal. Gardner-Johnson was tied for the league lead in interceptions with six and was a key cog in the Eagles’ run to the Super Bowl. There’s nothing like having a veteran presence who knows what it takes to get to the league’s showcase game.
Offensively the Lions signed former Bears running back David Montgomery to pair with De’Andre Swift as Jamaal Williams moved on. We’ll have to see how that works out. This was the one sour note with Lions fans as Williams was much loved in the Motor City.
The Lions also committed to keeping several of their own players who may not be the big names but they have all bought into what coach Campbell and his assistants want. The idea some folks seem to have is that all 11 players on offense and defense need to be All-Pros or at least Pro-Bowlers is pure silliness. Those unsung players are the glue and most often the guys who just do their jobs without fanfare. These moves are designed to have the Lions not giving up the third most points per game as they did in 2022.
The Goff Effect
Quarterback Jared Goff will have his detractors because a narrative was created during his time as the Rams quarterback. The effect Goff has on what the Detroit Lions are able to do in free agency though is important. Goff is making 25 million this year and 26 million next year. Because he isn’t chewing up the Lions’ cap space there’s flexibility to be aggressive and that’s exactly what Brad Holmes has been this week. Goff has his moments like all quarterbacks do where you scream “What was he thinking?” those moments have been fewer and fewer though. With plenty of weapons around him, Goff doesn’t have to be spectacular, he simply needs to be effective and allow his playmakers to go to work.
2023 Draft
The Detroit Lions will make noise at the draft in April. In addition to the two first-round picks, the Lions will also add two more in the second round. Having four players in the top 62 at the draft means even more talent is coming to Detroit. There are so many ways now for the Lions to go at the draft. They could add to the defensive interior, a tight end to replace Hockenson (a move not many understood and still don’t) and even scarier another wide receiver to join Amon Ra St-Brown and Jameson Williams. Another safety or corner is certainly possible too. The clear goal is to become the team to beat in the NFC North.
