Lions Draft Preview
8. DETROIT (6-10)
LAST SEASON: Detroit dropped seven of its last 10 games under first-year coach Matt Patricia, reaching double digits in losses for the first time since 2012. Lions were reeling on and off-field after trading receiver Golden Tate to Philadelphia for a third-round pick in October. It got worse for offense when rookie running back Kerryon Johnson and Marvin Jones had season-ending knee injuries. The team did accomplish its goals of improving the running game and ability to stop the run.
FREE AGENCY: Signed Trey Flowers and re-signed Romeo Okwara, turning a defensive end into potential strength instead of glaring weakness. Signed wide receiver Danny Amendola, cornerbacks Justin Coleman and Rashaan Melvin, tight end Jesse James, and running back C.J. Anderson to address needs with solid veterans.
THEY NEED: TE, WR, OL, LB, S.
THEY DON'T NEED: RB, QB, C, DT, CB.
POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Iowa TE T.J. Hockenson; LSU LB Devin White; Alabama OL Jonah Williams.
OUTLOOK: Lions should invest in pass-catching options for Matthew Stafford and giving franchise quarterback first-round caliber tight end would be a step in the right direction. Detroit has drafted only one receiver (Kenny Golladay) and one tight end (Michael Roberts) since selecting TE Eric Ebron No. 10 overall in 2014. After releasing Ebron last year and failing to replace him, it seems like good time to take tight end early and at least one receiver during three-day draft.
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