The 2020 official free agency period is ready to begin but the Detroit Lions have already agreed to terms with several players, including defensive tackle Danny Shelton.
Shelton, a former 12th overall pick in 2015 by the Cleveland Browns, played in New England the last two seasons where he was their starting nose tackle. He is expected to take on the same role in Detroit, replacing Damon Harrison.
With two years and 32 games worth of experience in a near-exact version of the Lions scheme, Shelton (6-2, 345) should be able to step right into the starting nose tackle role without missing a beat.
John Atkins has been the Lions top reserve at nose tackle the last two seasons and is expected to maintain that role in 2020. Olive Sagapolu is an upside nose tackle who signed a futures deal with the Lions in January but isn’t expected to do more than compete for a reserve role at this time.
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Lining up at the defensive tackle spot next to Shelton will be a rotation of Da’Shawn Hand, newly acquired Nick Williams, Kevin Strong, and potentially Frank Herron. Hand, Williams, and Strong are all signed through 2021, while Herron is in a contract year.
Will the Lions add more defensive tackles?
It’s fair to say the Lions have five defensive tackles they are comfortable entering the season with — Sheldon, Hand, Williams, Atkins, and Strong — but that does not mean they are done adding at the position.
It’s possible that the Lions wait for the prices to drop in free agency and acquire another veteran to help bring stability to the younger front. Re-signing Mike Daniels is surely being considered, but if free agents like Marcell Dareus, Dontari Poe, Michael Pierce, or Shelby Harris are still around in a few days they may get a phone call from the Lions.
The draft is also another area that can’t be ruled out for adding players. Derrick Brown’s value to the Lions probably took a hit today, but nose tackles with range, like Davon Hamilton (Ohio State) and Leki Fotu (Utah), are prospects the Lions could look to draft and develop.