Fansided

NFL free agency 2019: Grades for every team

By Kevin Parvizi

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 25: Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants yells prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 25: Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants yells prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Detroit Lions

Key Additions: EDGE Trey Flowers, TE Jesse James, CB Justin Coleman, WR Danny Amendola

Key Departures: S Glover Quin, EDGE Ziggy Ansah, OG TJ Lang, RB LeGarrette Blount, TE Luke Willson, CB Nevin Lawson

Grade: B

As a whole, the Detroit Lions had a strong free agent period, and it all starts with signing Trey Flowers as Ziggy Ansah’s replacement. Flowers is under-appreciated nationally after being a critical component of several highly successful New England Patriots teams, including last year’s Super Bowl-winning squad. The 25-year-old Arkansas product is a consistent source of pressure and a playmaker in every sense, and Lions fans should look forward to watching him, Damon Harrison, A’Shawn Robinson, and Da’Shawn Hand on the same defensive line.

Now, Flowers wasn’t the only former New England Patriots player that Lions head coach Matt Patricia, previously the Patriots defensive coordinator, wanted to work with again. Rashaan Melvin is a candidate to take a step forward with Patricia and the Lions, and nickel corner Justin Coleman is coming off of another quietly strong season with the Detroit Lions. He’s better than Nevin Lawson, and Coleman can also give the Lions some extra edge in run defense.

After trading away Golden Tate last season, the Lions have found his replacement in slot receiver Danny Amendola, a perennially underrated wideout who had his best games with the Patriots before joining the Miami Dolphins on a one-year stint last year. Amendola’s season was marred by injuries, which has been a common occurrence for him, but he did show his talent when on the field. Landing in Detroit is a great situation for Amendola, who will play a lesser role with Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay hoarding targets a legitimate star receivers. Amendola slots in as a strong third option for Matthew Stafford, and he could become a go-to safety valve in high leverage situations.

The Lions needed to make smart moves in free agency in order to keep up with the NFC North’s powerhouse teams, and they did exactly that. This offense, on paper, looks fantastic when healthy, and Flowers gives the defense some more star power to help cornerback Darius Slay out.

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