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Ranking the Detroit Lions unrestricted, restricted, and exclusive rights free agents heading into 2021 offseason.
The Detroit Lions will enter the 2021 offseason with 18 of the 53-players on the active roster unrestricted free agents. They also have one restricted free agent and three exclusive rights free agents.
In this piece, we have separated the players into six ranked tiers based on the level of importance to the team and the role they would fill if they return next season.
It’s not all bad. Here are four things to watch in the Minnesota Vikings’ game vs. the Detroit Lions in Week 17 on Sunday.
Minnesota, despite its inconsistencies, was in playoff contention for most of the year. Postseason hopes didn’t officially end until the team lost to the Saints in Week 16.
Now, the team has a meaningless game in Week 17 against the Lions. There’s an argument to be made that Minnesota should simply rest its starters and start looking towards the offseason and beyond. Do I think they will do that, though? My guess is no.
So, it’s a game that many Vikings fans might avoid, but there are still some things to watch out for on Sunday against the Lions. Need some motivation to watch? Here are four things:
Examining the Detroit Lions snap counts from their Week 16 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
With the Detroit Lions operating a skeleton coaching staff, dealing with a plethora of injuries, including losing Matthew Stafford after the first series, facing off against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team looking to clinch their first playoff appearance in over a decade, and led by arguably the best quarterback to ever set foot on the gridiron — the results were predictable.
An ugly 47-7 loss that featured almost no redeeming qualities, illustrated the fact that there is plenty of blame to be spread around the Lions organization.
The defense is currently getting most of the heat — allowing 47 points tend to do that — but the offense didn’t do them any favors. The offense’s inability to sustain drives afforded them only 53 snaps over 24-minutes, while the defense was forced to defend for 77 snaps over 36-minutes.
This imbalance pushed the Lions into situations where they needed to force the passing game, while also shifting to a more aggressive defense. Again, predictably, nothing worked.
With the Lions essentially telegraphing their gameplan, the Bucs merely adjusted accordingly, and Bucs coach Bruce Arians swiftly outmaneuvered the Lions’ inexperienced play-callers.
Looking forward, the Lions have one final game remaining in the 2020 season: at home against the Minnesota Vikings. If they hope to be competitive in Week 17, they will need significantly better output from their offense, while getting more efficiency out of their defense — specifically, their pass rushers, who are getting healthier and seeing more playing time.
That and more in this week’s snap count review.
Reviewing the studs and duds from the Detroit Lions Week 16 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In what may be the ugliest game of football ever played by the Detroit Lions, there were too many mistakes and bad plays to count.
Tampa Bay routed the Lions in this 47-7 blowout of a matchup. The offense was never able to find momentum and the defense couldn’t stop the Buccaneers if they tried.
The list of players who had rough performances in this game is seemingly endless and it feels like there wasn’t any silver lining to this embarrassing loss. Nevertheless, some players shined in this otherwise forgettable game.
The veteran pass rusher was one of the only bright spots on defense in this blowout loss to Tampa Bay. Near the end of the first quarter, Griffen landed a sack on Brady that forced a second-and-long.
Twice in the first half, the Lions committed penalties that drastically altered the course of the game.
Though Griffen had a good game overall, his offsides penalty on Tampa Bay’s first offensive drive was the play that got the ball rolling for Tom Brady and his offense.
Jahlani Tavai was able to sack Brady and force a fourth down, but Griffen’s penalty negated the sack and Brady threw a touchdown right after.
On Detroit’s first drive on offense, left tackle Taylor Decker committed another costly penalty. The former first-round pick was called for a false start on a fourth-down attempt that forced the Lions to punt as a result.
As the only Lions player to find the endzone and prevent this game from being a shutout, Agnew has proved that he is a stud as Detroit’s punt returner. The former All-Pro return man took a punt to the house in the third quarter and put Detroit’s first points on the board.
This is Jamal Agnew’s 4th punt return for a TD in his 4 years in the league pic.twitter.com/oy4xZbJL9w
— Erik Schlitt (@erikschlitt) December 26, 2020
The offensive line struggled as a whole, but Jackson had one very glaringly bad snap. Former Lions sixth-round pick Jeremiah Ledbetter easily overpowered Jackson for a sack on Chase Daniel.
Okwara recorded his ninth sack of the year, a career-high, and recorded another forced fumble — his third on the season.
Tavai got the start at linebacker with Jamie Collins out with an injury. The second-year linebacker out of Hawaii struggled throughout the game and missed several tackles as both Brady and Blaine Gabbert easily dissected the defense.
Fox continued his Pro Bowl season by averaging 47.8-yards over eight punts, with five of them landing inside the 20-yard line.
This poor showing has done more damage than anyone could have expected. With the Lions now on their second primetime loss of the season, everyone who watches football is aware of just how bad this team is this season.
For a team that is in need of a new general manager, a new coaching staff, and has plenty of players set to be free agents, it’s hard to see many people who would want to be part of this organization after this loss.
Detroit Lions activate EDGE Everson Griffen to the 53-man roster, elevate corner Tramaine Brock and center Evan Brown for Week 16.
Happy holidays!
Detroit Lions announced that they have activated EDGE Everson Griffen to the 53-man roster, and elevated two practice squad players for Week 16: corner Tramaine Brock and center Evan Brown.
After contracting the COVID-19 virus, Griffen spent nearly two weeks on the reserve list before being cleared to return to practice on Wednesday. Because of the return to action protocols surrounding COVID-19, Griffen had a commissioner’s permission roster exemption while he re-acclimated back to football and did not count against the 53-man roster.
In order for him to be eligible to play on Saturday, he needed to be activated to the 53-man roster (which is today’s move) and a corresponding move would be required — which the Lions created by releasing running back Jonathan Williams yesterday.
With corner Darryl Roberts questionable to play, the Lions only had three healthy corners: Amani Oruwariye, Justin Coleman, and Mike Ford — who was injured all week but doesn’t carry an injury designation into this game.
Brock gives them a fifth option at corner, depth on special teams, and insurance against Roberts’ injury.
Ragnow is still mending his fractured throat, and despite a limited practice on Thursday, he remains questionable to play. Joe Dahl replaced Ragnow in the starting lineup last week, but the elevation of Brown gives the Lions a true center option in case of further injury.
The Detroit Lions announced they have released running back Jonathan Williams. This clears up a roster spot for EDGE Everson Griffen who was removed from the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier in the week but did not count towards a roster spot.
The Detroit Lions announced they have released running back Jonathan Williams. This clears up a roster spot for EDGE Everson Griffen who was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier in the week.
At this time, Griffen does not count towards a spot on the 53-man roster, but if they want him to be able to play on Saturday, they need to clear space on the active roster — thus the Williams move.
Williams, the Lions’ fourth option at running back, has been a game-day inactive the last two weeks, and with D’Andre Swift now fully healthy, the Lions have elected to use their limited roster in other areas of need.
Williams was active five games for the Lions this season, but he saw just 27 offensive snaps and only produced five touches: four catches for 21-yards, and one rush for five yards.
Currently, the Lions have running backs D’Andre Swift, Adrian Peterson, and Kerryon Johnson on the active roster, as well as Jordan Scarlett and Dalyn Dawkins on the practice squad. Kerrith Whyte remains on the practice squad injured reserve.
The Detroit Lions have activated EDGE Everson Griffen from reserve/COVID-19 and Nose Tackle Danny Shelton returns to practice but remains on injured reserve for the time being.
The Detroit Lions are getting some help on the defensive line. A day after activating JACK Julian Okwara from injured reserve, they announced that they have also activated EDGE Everson Griffen from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Additionally, Nose Tackle Danny Shelton, who is still on injured reserve, has returned to practice and is eligible to be activated to the 53-man roster at any time.
Griffen announced on social media that he tested positive for COVID-19, and 11 days after the team placed him on the reserve list, he has been medically cleared and is eligible to return to practice.
No additional roster move was required at this time because Griffen has a roster exemption, but in order for him to play on Saturday, a corresponding move from the 53-man roster would be required.
Shelton was placed on injured reserve three weeks ago, has completed the required time on short-term IR, and is now eligible to return to the team. As Shelton is also technically still on IR, he also does not take up a spot on the 53-man roster, and when he is ready to play, a corresponding roster move would be required.
One final housekeeping note: running back Dalyn Dawkins has been added to the practice squad for his fourth stint with the team.
The Detroit Lions have placed defensive end Everson Griffen on the COVID-19 list. Details surrounding how long he will be out is not known.
The Detroit Lions have placed defensive end Everson Griffen on the COVID-19 list.
Per an NFL/NFLPA agreement, teams do not differentiate between if a player tested positive for COVID-19 or if he had a close contact exposure, so it’s unclear how long he will be out at this time.
If Griffen had a close contact exposure — like Matthew Stafford, Jarrad Davis and Jalen Elliott earlier this year — it’s possible he could return in Week 15, but if he contracted the virus, he would be about through at least Week 16.
What we do know is that he will be out for the Lions Week 14 game against the Green Bay Packers.
As has become standard practice, the Lions released the following statement with their confirmation, reminding everyone that being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list does not mean a player tested positive:
This reserve list category was created for a player who either tests positive for COVID-19 or who has been quarantined after having been in close contact with an infected person or persons. If a player falls into either of these categories, their club is required to immediately place the player on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Per agreed upon NFL-NFLPA policy, clubs are not permitted t comment on a player’s medical status other than referring to roster status. Clubs may not disclose whether player is in quarantine or is positive for COVID-19.
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Lions Wire Film Room: Breaking down the final 3 drive-ending plays by the Detroit Lions defense in their Week 13 win over the Chicago Bears.
In the Detroit Lions’ Week 13 comeback victory over the Chicago Bears, the offense and Matthew Stafford get a lot of the love — and rightfully so — but it was the defense that came up big three times at the end of the game, and those three plays will be the focus of today’s film room.
After giving up 23 points in the first half the Lions’ defense was struggling to acclimate to some of the new schematic changes introduced by defensive coordinator Cory Undlin — who is now in greater control of the defense after the firing of Matt Patricia.
But, when the second half began, the Lions defense settled in, only allowing an early fourth-quarter touchdown, while the offense began chipping away at the Bears lead.
Down 10 points, with five and a half minutes remaining, the Lions faced a key third down, and that is where our breakdowns begin.
Late in the fourth quarter of Week 13, Everson Griffen falls back on his spin move to get a key sack. pic.twitter.com/T8k0yc57bi
— Erik Schlitt (@erikschlitt) December 10, 2020
After getting the ball back, the Lions drove 96-yards on seven plays to cut the deficit to just three points.
Romeo Okwara shows phenomenal technique on this play to get the strip-sack. Keep an eye on his left arm and notice how he gains leverage and creates space. Beautiful. pic.twitter.com/raFGkD5EPo
— Erik Schlitt (@erikschlitt) December 10, 2020
Two plays later, Adrian Peterson powers his way through the Bears defense for the go-ahead touchdown, giving the Lions their first lead of the day with just 1:26 left on the clock.
Kevin Strong first step is lethal and and was key to blowing up this 4th down play. Reggie Ragland helps him clean up the tackle on the way to a Lions victory in Week 13. pic.twitter.com/4F8I4dVz29
— Erik Schlitt (@erikschlitt) December 10, 2020
When the Lions needed stops late in the fourth quarter the Lions defense came through. They still have their issues on defense but having the mental fortitude to come through in the clutch was a missing element we haven’t seen in some time. Let’s hope it carries over the final month of the season.
Breaking down the Detroit Lions snap counts after their Week 13 victory over the Chicago Bears.
There’s not a lot you can do to the physical makeup of a roster in a week, and for interim coach Darrell Bevell, he needed to rely on the scheme put in place by Matt Patrica — with a few twists mixed in.
On offense, there weren’t a lot of changes, which isn’t overly surprising considering he likely had some weekly influence on how much players played, but on defense, there was a noticeable change up front.
The most notable change was the use of the Lions’ base defense ends Romeo Okwara and Everson Griffen.
Over the last two weeks, the Lions relied on their linebackers to create pressure off the edge, but in this game, Bevell and defensive coordinator Cory Undlin went back to their strategy against Washington and used bigger bodies on the edge.
Okwara was on the field 96-percent of defensive snaps, while Griffen saw 65-percent of his own. Each player did rush from a standing position at times, but the idea of getting bigger up front suits this team’s strengths — especially when Trey Flowers, Austin Bryant, and Julian Okwara return.
That, and more in this week’s snap count review.
