The NFL free agency period is a week old and the Detroit Lions have made several moves, including retaining players, adding others, as well as making trades.
To get an idea of which positions the Lions may address in the days leading up to and during the NFL draft, here’s a look at the 74 players who are on the active roster and the current need level at each position.
Quarterback
Starter: Matthew Stafford
Reserves: Chase Daniel, David Blough
Need level: Low
After adding trading for Blough last season and giving Daniel a 3-year contract last week, the Lions’ quarterback room is full. They will likely add a fourth for training camp but expect that to be an undrafted free agent who could be a developmental player they could place on their practice squad.
Running back
Starter: Kerryon Johnson
Reserves: Bo Scarbrough, Ty Johnson, Wes Hills, Tra Carson, Nick Bawden (FB)
Need level: Medium
With J.D. McKissic headed to Washington, the Lions could be in the market for a gadget/3rd down option, as well as insurance for Kerryon Johnson and Bo Scarbrough’s health. They could look to add a vet in free agency like Dion Lewis or target a player in the draft who could fill both roles.
Wide receiver
Starters: Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola
Reserves: Marvin Hall, Chris Lacy, Travis Fulgham, Tom Kennedy, Jon Duhart, Victor Bolden
Need level: Medium-high
The Lions return all their wide receivers from last year but none are signed beyond the 2020 season. Expect Golladay to get a contract extension sometime this fall, but this is still likely a position the Lions target early in the draft — potentially even double-dipping.
Tight end
Starters: T.J. Hockenson, Jesse James
Reserves: Isaac Nauta, Paul Butler, Matt Sokol
Need level: Low
With Logan Thomas joining McKissic in Washington, the Lions could be looking for a reserve tight end to compete with Nauta for a TE3 role.
Offensive tackle
Starters: Taylor Decker, Halapoulivaati Vaitai
Reserves: Tyrell Crosby, Dan Skipper, Matt Nelson
Need level: Medium-low
The need level here is hinges almost entirely on what the Lions longterm plans for Decker are. If they plan to extend him, the need level is minimal, but if he’s not in their future plans, they could draft his eventual replacement as early as Day 2.
Interior offensive line
Starters: Frank Ragnow, Joe Dahl, Beau Benzschawel
Reserves: Joshua Garnett, Russell Bodine, Casey Tucker, Caleb Benenoch
Need level: High at Guard
The most obvious hole on offense is the lack of starting caliber talent at guard — specifically at right guard. If the Lions plan on carrying over their guard rotation into 2020, they may be in the market to add two interior offensive linemen. Unless something changes, drafting a guard seems like a foregone conclusion at this point.
Interior defensive line
Starters: Da’Shawn Hand, Danny Shelton (NT)
Reserves: Nick Williams, John Atkins (NT), Kevin Strong, Frank Herron, Olive Sagapolu (NT)
Need level: Medium
Adding Shelton and Williams is a big step forward, but the Lions prefer to rotate their defensive linemen, making adding at least one more a priority. There are still solid options available in free agency, but this is also an area where the Lions could spend some draft capital.
EDGE rushers
Starters: Trey Flowers
Reserves: Romeo Okwara, Austin Bryant (JACK), Jonathan Wynn
Need level: Medium-High
With the release of Devon Kennard and the signing of Jamie Collins, the Lions appear to be prioritizing linebackers with more positional flexibility. That could mean the Lions are shifting away from a dedicated player at the JACK linebacker position, instead opting for several players who can play on the edge and off-the-ball. Adding a hybrid player Kamalei Correa in free agency or targeting draft prospects like Zach Baun or Josh Uche, would make a ton of sense.
In addition to a JACK linebacker, the Lions could also look to bring in a down defensive end depth. If Chase Young is there at pick No. 3, he’s the selection, but if they elect to wait, Utah’s Bradlee Anae is the name to know — both offer flexibility to play DDE and JACK.
Off-the-ball linebacker
Starters: Jamie Collins, Jarrad Davis, Christian Jones
Reserves: Jahlani Tavai, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Miles Killebrew, Steve Longa, Jason Cabinda, Anthony Pittman, Christian Sam
Need level: Low
Other than adding a JACK linebacker, the Lions are probably not in the market here, as they currently have 10 off-the-ball linebackers on the roster.
Cornerback
Starters: Desmond Trufant, Justin Coleman, Amani Oruwariye
Reserves: Mike Ford, Jamal Agnew, Dee Virgin, Tony McRae, Michael Jackson
Need level: Medium-high
Oruwariye has starting upside but is he ready to take over a starting role in 2020? At a minimum, the Lions are likely in the market to add competition on the outside and based on how the offseason has played out so far, signs seem to be pointing to the Lions targeting Jeff Okudah with their first-round pick.
Safety
Starters: Tracy Walker, Duron Harmon, Will Harris
Reserves: Jayron Kearse, C.J. Moore
Need level: low
Adding Harmon and Kearse most likely solidified this group. More competition could be on the way, but these five safeties all have a shot to make the 53-man roster.
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 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 — Braden Mann (TAMU) is the name to know here.