The NFL new year is set to begin on Wednesday at 4:00 pm EST, but the legal tampering period opens tomorrow, meaning teams can begin talking to free agents across the league.
To get an idea of which positions the Detroit Lions may address in the coming days, here’s a look at the 66 players who are on the active roster — they can add up to 90 players once the new year opens — and the current need level at each position.
Quarterback
Starter: Matthew Stafford
Reserves: David Blough, Kyle Sloter
Need level: Medium-low
Looking only at the 2020 season, Stafford is the clear starter and Blough is a capable backup, but will the Lions be looking for a challenger for the top reserve spot? The answer is very likely, yes. Expect the Lions to go after a Day 3 prospect or a Jeff Driskel-like player in free agency.
Running back
Starter: Kerryon Johnson
Reserves: Bo Scarbrough, Ty Johnson, Wes Hills, Tra Carson, Nick Bawden (FB)
Need level: Medium
Health is the primary concern here as Kerryon Johnson and Scarbrough both have concerning injury histories. The Lions should be in the market for a reliable option who can share reserve rotational duties and potentially step up in case of injury. That could mean they add a veteran in the second/third wave of free agency or Day 2/3 of the draft.
Wide receiver
Starters: Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola
Reserves: Marvin Hall, Chris Lacy, Travis Fulgham, Tom Kennedy, Jon Duhart, Victor Bolden
Need level: High
The Lions return their entire regular season wide receiver corps but none of them are signed beyond the 2020 season — that screams top-100 draft pick. With the wealth of options in this draft class, this could be a position where the Lions’ double-dip and draft two prospects.
Tight end
Starters: T.J. Hockenson, Jesse James
Reserves: Isaac Nauta, Paul Butler, Matt Sokol
Need level: Low
Nauta may be ready to step up into the third tight end role, but if the Lions think he needs more time, they could look to add a veteran in free agency — potentially re-signing Logan Thomas or a player similar.
Offensive tackle
Starters: Taylor Decker, Tyrell Crosby
Reserves: Dan Skipper, Matt Nelson
Need level: High
With the release of Rick Wagner, the Lions are staring at a big question mark at right tackle. Currently, Crosby — a player the team really likes — is in line for a starter role, but they will likely bring in a high-level player to compete with him for the job. Add in the fact that Decker in a contract year and this is a position the Lions may address in free agency and high in the draft.
Interior offensive line
Starters: Frank Ragnow (C), Joe Dahl, Beau Benzschawel
Reserves: Joshua Garnett, Russell Bodine, Casey Tucker, Caleb Benenoch
Need level: High
The Lions return starters Ragnow and Dahl, but Graham Glasgow — arguably the team’s highest-profile free agent — appears headed to free agency leaving a big hole at right guard. Add in the fact that top reserve Kenny Wiggins is also a free agent, and this is another position the Lions could address both in free agency and in the draft. Benzschawel is a placeholder in the starting lineup for now but will be given a shot to compete.
Interior defensive line
Starters: Da’Shawn Hand, John Atkins (NT)
Reserves: Kevin Strong, Frank Herron, Olive Sagapolu (NT)
Need level: Very High
Damon Harrison was released, A’Shawn Robinson and Mike Daniels are headed to free agency, and both Hand’s and Strong had their 2019 season’s significantly altered due to injury. The Lions could be in full overhaul mode here this offseason. On paper, it would make sense that the Lions would spend big on a defensive tackle in free agency and also select a prospect at the position sometime within the top-100 picks of the NFL draft.
EDGE rushers
Starters: Trey Flowers, Devon Kennard (JACK)
Reserves: Romeo Okwara, Austin Bryant, Jonathan Wynn
Need level: Medium-High
Flowers and Kennard are firmly entrenched as starters but the Lions like to rotate players on the edge meaning they’re always on the lookout for depth. Okwara saw 53-percent of snaps last season and Bryant showed potential after returning from injured reserve, but based on some of last season’s struggles, the Lions should be open to adding competition/upgrades.
Off-the-ball linebacker
Starters: Jarrad Davis, Christian Jones
Reserves: Jahlani Tavai, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Steve Longa, Jason Cabinda, Anthony Pittman, Christian Sam
Need level: Low
Fans won’t like it, but the Lions are returning all eight of last year’s off-the-ball linebackers, which indicates they may not have much interest in adding more players at the position. The Lions won’t turn away an upgrade, but they also likely won’t be actively searching either.
Cornerback
Starters: Darius Slay, Justin Coleman, Amani Oruwariye
Reserves: Jamal Agnew, Michael Jackson
Need level: High
Regardless of what happens with Darius Slay, the Lions will almost assuredly be looking to add a starter-level player capable of challenging Oruwariye and possibly taking over for Slay in 2021. That could mean adding a player in free agency, with their first-round pick, or even both.
One important note is that both Mike Ford and Dee Virgin are exclusive rights free agents — meaning if they want to play in the NFL in 2020 they can only negotiate a contract with the Lions — so it’s more than likely they will return this season, adding depth in the secondary and re-assuming their starting special teams roles.
Safety
Starters: Tracy Walker, Will Harris
Reserves: C.J. Moore, A.J. Howard
Need level: Medium-High
Despite spending third-round picks on Walker and Harris in the last two drafts, the Lions use three safety sets roughly 50-percent of the time, meaning this is an important role that the Lions will be looking to fill. Don’t be surprised if the Lions add an experienced starter in free agency or another top-100 pick on a safety.
Special teams
Starters: Matt Prater (K), Don Muhlbach (LS)
Reserves: Jack Fox (P), Matt Wile (P), James Fischer (LS)
Need level: High at Punter
Prater and Muhlbach — who signed on for another season with the Lions yesterday — are among the best special teamers in the NFL at their position, but it appears the Lions are moving on from punter Sam Martin. There are several options to replace Martin this offseason both in free agency and the draft.