With an abbreviated offseason training program on the horizon, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Detroit Lions have made a few minor adjustments to their approach to acquiring talent.
Knowing that there will be no Spring camps and likely a shortened training camp in late summer — if it happens at all — general manager Bob Quinn said during his pre-draft press conference with the Detroit media, that the Lions are targeting players who can contribute immediately without needing much of an offseason training program.
This concept was applied in free agency when the Lions traded with the New England Patriots for Duron Harmon and continued when they signed linebacker Jamie Collins and nose tackle Danny Shelton in free agency.
Because of their time spent with the Patriots, all three players have extensive experience playing in the Lions scheme and are familiar with the important terminology needed in order to contribute without much formal guidance.
This concept will also likely carry over to the 2020 NFL Draft and it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see the Lions invest in prospects whom they coached at the Senior Bowl, as those players have also been exposed to some of the basic concepts in the Lions scheme.
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This could also influence decision-making when the Lions are debating between talent in the draft, potentially leaning towards players with a higher floor, or that operated in a college scheme close to the Lions. Prospects who played defense at Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State, Arkansas — among others — could have an advantage over smaller school talent.
While targeting players who can contribute early will likely play a factor in decision-making, it’s important to acknowledge it’s only part of the overall process. When asked about a player dealing with an injury, Quinn made sure to note that he is looking for the best player available, both now and/or in the future.
One group of players that are surely going to be impacted is the undrafted free agent pool as they will have less time to impress coaches and learn the system.
Quinn: “it’s going to be harder, not impossible” for UDFAs to make an impact this year because of COVID-19
— Erik Schlitt (@erikschlitt) April 17, 2020
The Lions currently have 78 players on their active roster and nine draft picks leaving them with only three available spots for additional players.
Therefore, when determining the importance of adding an undrafted free agent, Quinn will have to weigh their value versus a player on the active roster because after the three empty spots are filled, he will have to cut a veteran in order to make room.
By the end of the draft, the Lions will have several young players added to their 90-man roster, and with the fourth most draft capital to work with, there will be a lot of new talent — even if that means fewer players than in a typical year.