A center in the first round of the NFL Draft…Largely unknown free agent signings…
Underwhelmed by the Lions’ off-season?
You’re not alone
General manager Bob Quinn’s roster-building for the 2018 NFL campaign has received mixed reviews.
While I understand the skepticism, Quinn is on the proper track. His free agent signings of linebackers Devon Kennard and Christian Jones were scheme-specific, and fit the needs of a decidedly different defensive set under new head coach Matt Patricia. The Lions will run a hybrid version of the 3-4 defense rather than the Wide-9 edition of the 4-3. In simplistic terms, it means more read and react than charging straight up field.
The Lions notably addressed their running attack by upgrading the offensive line with Frank Ragnow from Arkansas, the center, but they didn’t reach for the pick.
Ragnow will likely, at minimum, be a solid NFL starter. There is less certainty, because of injury concerns, size, upright running style and just the quirks of the position itself, about second-round selection Kerryon Johnson from Auburn. Yet, it would be a misnomer to suggest he presents little upside. Johnson is capable of being an electrifying NFL runner.
Third-round selection Tracy Walker, a safety from Louisiana Lafayette, presents the great unknown. Quinn better be right with that choice or he will justifiably be skewered for it. The Lions appear to have gotten tremendous value picks in Alabama defensive linemen Da’Shawn Hand and Oregon offensive linemen Tyrell Crosby in the fourth and fifth rounds.
However, the Lions aren’t alone in the NFC North. Other teams have improved, as well, perhaps more significantly.
Green Bay signed tight end Jimmy Graham (Saints) and defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson (Jets) as free agents. The Packers’ secondary, a sieve in 2017, was augmented by drafting cornerbacks Jaire Alexander (Louisville) and Josh Jackson (Iowa) in the first two rounds. Green Bay’s wide receivers picks, J’Mon Moore (Missouri, 4th round) and Equanimeous St. Brown (Notre Dame, 6th round) are gifted. The Packers re-tooled their roster effectively, and should be back in form with the return to health of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The Vikings remain the best team in the division, and upgraded at quarterback with the big-money signing of Kirk Cousins.
The Bears had the best draft in the NFC North, adding potential Pro Bowlers at some point of their respective careers, in my opinion, with linebacker Roquan Smith (Georgia), center James Daniels (Iowa) and wide receiver Anthony Miller (Memphis). That was in addition to landing free agent wide receiver Allen Robinson (Jaguars) and tight end Trey Burton (Eagles). These are all high-ceiling, potential difference-making players
It makes you wonder if the Bears are this year’s version of the Rams. Mitch Trubisky held his own under difficult circumstances as a rookie QB. The Bears already had a formidable running game with backs Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen. Matt Nagy, a solid offensive mind, could be just the right head coach.
It leads to thoughts of bridges burned. Oh man, if the Lions could have just taken advantage of a favorable terrain last season with Rogers injured, the Bears still hopelessly lost under John Fox and the late schedule falling their way.
The Lions should be better this season. That’s the good news.
The bad: So should everybody else in their division.