Detroit Lions (Last Year: 6-10)
2019 NFL Season Preview:
Veteran Additions:
RB C.J. Anderson, WR Danny Amendola, TE Jesse James, TE Logan Thomas, DE/OLB Trey Flowers, CB Justin Coleman, CB Rashaan Melvin, CB Marcus Cooper, S Andrew Adams.
Early Draft Picks:
TE T.J. Hockenson, LB Jahlani Tavai, S Will Harris, DE Austin Bryant, CB Amani Oruwariye. Lions Rookie Forecast
Offseason Losses:
WR Bruce Ellington, G T.J. Lang, DE/OLB Ziggy Ansah, DE/OLB Kerry Hyder, CB Nevin Lawson, S Glover Quin.
2019 Detroit Lions Offense:
The Lions underwent a radical change in the middle of the 2018 campaign. Their offense averaged 24.4 points per game in the first eight weeks of the season, then went on to average just 17 points per contest beginning in Week 9, onward. The difference was the trade of Golden Tate. Matthew Stafford looked completely lost without his favorite receiver. Stafford threw just seven touchdowns in his final nine games, compared to 14 scores in his first seven contests.
It was clear that Detroit had to find a replacement for Tate this offseason, but the only player at the position the team was able to obtain was Danny Amendola, a decrepit wideout who did nothing of consequence in Miami last year. Amendola will join a receiving corps comprised of the promising Kenny Golladay, as well as Marvin Jones, who missed the final seven games of this past season with a bone bruise in his knee. Jones’ return will help, as well Golladay’s expected improvement, but Stafford needed a potent intermediate target out of the slot, given his propensity to throw passes at or near the line of scrimmage.
Enter, T.J. Hockenson. The Iowa product was chosen eighth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. He may not be a big-time contributor right away because he’ll only be a rookie, but Hockenson figures to be a major weapon for Stafford in 2020 and beyond.
Stafford tends to throw the ball at or near the line of scrimmage often because it doesn’t seem as though he trusts his pass protection. He’s correct in being skeptical, as the interior struggled this past season. Guard T.J. Lang could never stay healthy, so he was forced into retirement. His replacement, Kenny Wiggins, is not a good player. Meanwhile, 2018 first-round pick Frank Ragnow struggled as a rookie, perhaps because the Lions inexplicably moved him to guard after he was so prolific at center in Arkansas. Detroit’s current center, Graham Glasgow, is just an above-average blocker.
The Lions are definitely better at tackle than they are in the interior of their offensive line. Taylor Decker and Ricky Wagner form a solid duo on the edge, though it always seems as though Wagner is nursing some sort of injury. Wagner turns 30 in October, so he’s not likely to improve in this regard.
With some sketchy protection, Stafford will need to rely on his running game, which should improve this season. Kerryon Johnson had a strong rookie campaign until he was lost for the season with a knee injury in mid-November. Johnson, for some unknown reason, ceded some his workload to LeGarrette Blount last year, which never made any sense because Blount was clearly ineffective. He wasted a down whenever he touched the ball. Fortunately for Detroit supporters, Blount won’t be back next year. Instead, C.J. Anderson will mix in with Johnson. Anderson, who had a surprisingly dominant playoff stretch with the Rams, will be a massive upgrade over Blount.
2019 Detroit Lions Defense:
The Lions hired Matt Patricia last offseason, so perhaps the front office is disappointed that the defense didn’t improve very much in 2018. Detroit ranked 27th in overall defensive efficiency, including a ghastly 31st against the pass.
Stricken with a mediocre pass rush, a leaky secondary and an atrocious linebacking corps that can’t cover, the Lions were anemic when trying to stop opposing aerial attacks this past season. They took some measures this offseason to improve in all three areas. The pass rush will be bolstered by the acquisition of Trey Flowers. The former Patriot was New England’s best player in regard to pressuring the quarterback last year. Given his familiarity with Patricia’s scheme, he should fit perfectly in Detroit’s defense. He’ll replace the departed Ziggy Ansah, who was never able to stay healthy. Flowers will start across from Devon Kennard, who posted seven sacks in 2018. Fourth-round rookie Austin Bryant also figures to be in the mix.
Meanwhile, the Lions found some new defensive backs to strengthen their sorry secondary. They had just one viable cornerback last year in Pro Bowler Darius Slay. That will change in 2019, thanks to the arrival of Justin Coleman. Like Flowers, Coleman is a former Patriot whose transition will be smooth. Coleman will be an upgrade in the slot. Across from Slay, the Lions will be hoping that Teez Tabor improves his game after getting torched mercilessly last year. Newly acquired Rashaan Melvin could beat out Tabor for the job if the young corner continues to struggle.
Detroit wasn’t done upgrading the secondary after signing both Coleman and Melvin. The team spent a third-round pick on Will Harris, a smart, team leader. He could challenge for a starting safety job as a rookie. He could start next to Quandree Diggs, who performed well this past season. Tracy Walker, the team’s third-round choice from 2018, also handled himself well in brief action.
As for the third aspect of Detroit’s poor pass defense, the Lions used a second-round pick on linebacker Jahlani Tavai. The Hawaii product doesn’t have good instincts, which could be a problem, but he has the athletic ability to perform well in coverage. He’ll need to be coached up if he’s to become the player Jarrad Davis was supposed to be. Davis has greatly disappointed as the team’s first-round choice from 2017. He’s not a complete lost cause just yet, but time is running out for him to prove himself.
While Detroit was abysmal versus the pass, it was above average against the run, ranking 13th in that regard. The Lions can thank a trio of players for that. A’Shawn Robinson and Da’Shawn Hand were stellar on the defensive line all year. Detroit also added Snacks Harrison in the middle of the season, acquiring him for merely a fifth-round pick. Harrison is one of the top run pluggers in the NFL. With Harrison, Robinson and Hand up front, it’s going to be very difficult to move the ball on the ground against Detroit.
2019 Detroit Lions Schedule and Intangibles:
Matt Prater has been one of the top kickers in the NFL over the past several years. He was 28-of-32 in 2018. He didn’t miss a single extra point.
Punter Sam Martin has been inconsistent in net yardage over the years. He was just 22nd last season, but he did a good job of pinning opponents inside the 20.
The Lions were outgained by a large disparity on punt returns, but they beat teams on kickoffs.
The Lions have a brutal schedule. Beginning in Week 2, they have to battle the Chargers, Eagles, Chiefs, Packers and Vikings in consecutive games. They have some easier matchups after that, but the damage could be done by then.
2019 Detroit Lions Rookies:
Go here for the Lions Rookie Forecast, a page with predictions like which rookie will bust and which rookie will become a solid starter.
2019 Detroit Lions Positional Rankings (1-5 stars):
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2019 Detroit Lions Analysis: The Lions should have a better defense in 2019, though the team still has some glaring problems on that side of the ball. Meanwhile, the offense remains a concern. The team had major trouble scoring after trading Golden Tate. Perhaps T.J. Hockenson will be able to become Matthew Stafford’s safety valve, but that might take a bit of time. Given that, as well as the taxing, early schedule, Detroit’s 2019 campaign could be over before the team knows it.
Projection: 5-11 (4th in NFC North)
2018 Projection: 8-8. 2018 Actual Result: 6-10.
2017 Projection: 7-9. 2017 Actual Result: 9-7.
2016 Projection: 4-12. 2016 Actual Result: 10-6.
NFL Draft Team Grade: B- Grade
Goals Entering the 2019 NFL Draft: The Lions are never going to have great success the way they are currently built, so they need to trade Matthew Stafford and begin from scratch. They won’t do that, however, so the very best they can hope for next year is an 8-8 result. They’ll continue to spin their tires and attempt to upgrade the many holes on their roster. There are very few areas that don’t need to be upgraded, so “best player available” at every spot makes sense.
2019 NFL Draft Accomplishments: For a team that styles itself to be the Patriots of the midwest, the Lions don’t do a very good job of emulating the NFL’s current dynasty. I don’t ever recall Bill Belichick using a first-round pick on a tight end, yet that’s exactly what the Lions did, spending the eighth-overall selection on T.J. Hockenson. It’s likely that the Iowa product will end up being a nice weapon for Matthew Stafford and whichever quarterback replaces him in the future, but using a top-eight choice on a tight end, especially when there was a blue-chip prospect like Ed Oliver still available, seemed like a massive blunder.
The rest of the Lions’ draft class actually wasn’t too bad. The front office spent multiple selections on high-character players who filled needs. The four choices following Hockenson were all used to upgrade the defensive side of the ball, and the two best picks were safety Will Harris and cornerback Amani Oruwariye. None of these four selections, by the way, scored worse than a B- grade.
The Lions made some mistakes late in the draft, but most of their picks were graded favorably. That said, it feels like Detroit missed a golden opportunity to really bolster their roster with the eighth-overall selection, which will hurt the overall grade of this class.
NFL Draft Individual Grades:
8. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa C Grade
This pick will be hailed as a great selection by the media because T.J. Hockenson is a big name, but I’m not a huge fan. Tight ends typically go later than anticipated, so using the eighth-overall selection on one seems questionable, especially with a stud player like Ed Oliver still on the board. Hockenson will be a terrific player for the Lions, so I won’t grade this poorly, but they should’ve either chosen Oliver or moved down a few spots to get more value than this.
43. Jahlani Tavai, LB, Hawaii B- Grade
Jahlani Tavai is a linebacker with pedestrian instincts, which doesn’t sound great. However, he has three-down ability. He’s forceful against the run and athletic enough to drop into coverage. I think this is a bit early for Tavai, who was a low Round 2/high Round 3 prospect, but he makes sense for the Lions, who had to upgrade their horrible linebacking corps.
81. Will Harris, S, Boston College A- Grade
Will Harris is a “Patriots-type player,” through and through. I mocked Harris to the Patriots in the third round, so I’m not surprised at all that the Lions stole him from them. Harris is a talented player who provides great leadership skills. I like this pick from both a needs, range and fit perspective.
117. Austin Bryant, DE, Clemson B+ Grade
Austin Bryant was once considered a potential second-round prospect, but he has some injury concerns that caused him to drop. Bryant is also a bit stiff, so I don’t think the upside is there, despite his high production at Clemson. Still, he should be a solid player for the Lions, as Bryant is a high-character prospect.
146. Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn State A Grade
The NFL needs to slow the draft down to give the prospects the attention they deserve. NFL Network didn’t even mention Amani Oruwariye, who was a solid pick by the Lions. Oruwariye doesn’t have very good speed, which is why he fell to Day 3, but I consider him a steal because he’s a smart cornerback with nice length. He could definitely end up starting and playing well for Detroit.
184. Travis Fulgham, WR, Old Dominion B Grade
Travis Fulgham is limited in what he can do on a football field, but that does not apply to his vertical game. Fulgham is 6-3, 215, and he has above-average athleticism. He should be a solid No. 4 receiver in the NFL, and the sixth round is the correct time to take someone like that.
186. Ty Johnson, RB, Maryland C- Grade
I didn’t see Ty Johnson as a draftable player. He never appeared in a single mock draft. He has a nice burst, but was displaced as the primary back in his senior season. He should’ve been a UDFA signing.
224. Isaac Nauta, TE, Georgia C Grade
Isaac Nauta was one of the worst testers at any position at the combine, which didn’t mesh well with his sub-par route-running ability. Nauta isn’t a poor blocker, but there aren’t many positives here. This is not a very good pick.
229. P.J. Johnson, NT, Arizona B Grade
P.J. Johnson played just nine games of Division I-A football, as he was a transfer from Sacramento State. He has some upside, but is an unknown at the moment. He has a chance to stick as Detroit’s backup nose tackle. He’s worth taking a shot on in the seventh round.
Follow @walterfootball for updates.
Season Summary:
It was yet another year of disappointment in Detroit, as the new coaching staff struggled as much as the old one. At this rate, it doesn’t seem as though the Lions will be able to make a deep playoff push with Matthew Stafford.
Offseason Moves:
Team Needs:
- Linebacker: Detroit needs all the help it can get on defense. The primary position of weakness is at linebacker. The team hasn’t covered well in space in a very long time. Someone like Devin White would provide a huge boost at No. 8 overall.
- Two Cornerbacks: The Lions have nothing at cornerback except for Darius Slay. Teez Tabor still has a chance to develop, but he struggled mightily last year. At least one, if not two cornerbacks are needed. Signed Rashaan Melvin and Justin Coleman; re-signed Marcus Cooper
- Two Edge Rushers: Detroit’s pass rush is lacking. Ezekiel Ansah is an impending free agent, but he’s had trouble staying healthy anyway. Even if he’s retained, this is an area that must be addressed. Signed Trey Flowers
- Wide Receiver: The front office traded away Matthew Stafford’s favorite target, Golden Tate. A replacement for Tate will be needed. Signed Danny Amendola
- Tight End: Eric Ebron was a disappointment in Detroit, but then went on to thrive in Indianapolis. Perhaps this was not a coincidence. Either way, the Lions will need to find a new tight end. Signed Jesse James and Logan Thomas
- Young Quarterback: The Lions need to think about developing a young quarterback to eventually replace Matthew Stafford if Stafford continues to suffer injuries and disappoint.
- Guard: The Lions have talent on their offensive line, but they’ve had trouble staying healthy. T.J. Lang always seems to be hurt.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
2019 NFL Free Agent Signings:
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Trey Flowers, DE, Patriots. Age: 26. 
Signed with Lions (5 years)
If you want proof that Trey Flowers was crucial to New England’s defense last year, consider that he missed the Jacksonville and Detroit games (was knocked out on the opening drive versus the Jaguars), and New England lost both contests despite those opponents failing to make the playoffs. Flowers is an exceptional talent as both a pass rusher and a run stopper. He’s just 26 (in August), so he should continue to improve his game.
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Rashaan Melvin, CB, Raiders. Age: 29.
Signed with Lions (1 year, $3.5 million)
Rashaan Melvin is a skilled cornerback, but his one major weakness is his durability. He’s not dependable at all, as he’s yet to play a full season in the NFL. Still, everyone knows this, so that could make him an attractive buy-low option.
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Justin Coleman, CB, Seahawks. Age: 26.
Signed with Lions (4 years, $36 million)
Justin Coleman is a solid slot cornerback. He covers very well, but misses too many tackles. He’s still young, however, as he’ll be just 26 in March, so perhaps he can improve on his tackling ability.
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C.J. Anderson, RB, Rams. Age: 28.
Signed with Lions (1 year)
It’s bizarre that C.J. Anderson was on the open market for so long. Some team finally signed him, and Anderson rewarded the Rams for doing so. Anderson had two terrific performances down the stretch in relief of an injured/resting Todd Gurley. Anderson is still just 28, so he can be a starter.
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Jesse James, TE, Steelers. Age: 25.
Signed with Lions
Jesse James is known for his non-catch/catch against the Patriots in 2017, but he’s an excellent blocking tight end with some plus receiving ability. He’s also just 25 (in June), so he has a decent amount of potential to improve in the latter regard.
- Danny Amendola, WR, Dolphins. Age: 33. — Signed with Lions (1 year, $4.5 million)
- Andrew Adams (RFA), S, Buccaneers. Age: 26. — Signed with Lions
- Logan Thomas, TE, Bills. Age: 28. — Signed with Lions
- Tommylee Lewis (RFA), WR, Saints. Age: 31. — Signed with Lions
Detroit Lions Free Agents:
Salary Cap: TBA.
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Ezekiel Ansah, DE, Lions. Age: 30.
Signed with Seahawks (1 year)
Ezekiel Ansah is an extremely talented edge rusher, but he can’t stay healthy. He hasn’t played a full season since 2015. He also turns 30 this offseason, which is not ideal.
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Romeo Okwara (RFA), DE/OLB, Lions. Age: 24.
Re-signed with Lions (2 years)
Romeo Okwara has shown some nice improvement as a former UDFA. He tallied 7.5 sacks last year and played well versus the run. He’s only 24 in June, so he has some major potential.
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T.J. Lang, G, Lions. Age: 31.
Announced retirement
T.J. Lang played very well for the Lions when healthy. Unfortunately, that was a rare occurrence. Lang was seldom healthy while with Detroit, missing 13 games in two years and being banged up in several contests. Lang is still young enough to rebound – guards can play well into their mid-30s – but given his injury history, he’ll need to be signed to a 1-year “prove it” deal.
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Kerry Hyder, DE, Lions. Age: 28.
Signed with Cowboys
Kerry Hyder had a strong 2016 campaign, logging eight sacks. He missed all of 2017 with a torn Achilles, then struggled last year because he didn’t fit into the new 3-4 system. Hyder should bounce back next season if he moves on to a team with a 4-3 defense.
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Glover Quinn, S, Lions. Age: 33.
Once known as one of the better safeties in the NFL, Glover Quin’s play declined in 2018. He turned 33 in January, so he’ll likely continue to regress. That said, he could still serve as a below-average starter for a cheap price for the next year or two.
- Zach Zenner, RB, Lions. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Lions
- Bruce Ellington, WR, Lions. Age: 28. — Signed with Patriots
- T.J. Jones, WR, Lions. Age: 27.
- Nevin Lawson, CB, Lions. Age: 28. — Signed with Raiders (1 year, $3.05 million)
- DeShawn Shead, S, Lions. Age: 30.
- Eli Harold, DE/OLB, Lions. Age: 25. — Signed with Bills (1 year)
- LeGarrette Blount, RB, Lions. Age: 32.
- Andrew Donnal, OT, Lions. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Lions
- Nicholas Grigsby, LB, Lions. Age: 27.
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