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Chris Jones rumors: 5 best fits in NFL free agency

By Russell S. Baxter

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Chris Jones #95 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Chris Jones #95 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 29: Detroit Lions Head Football Coach Matt Patricia talks with his defense during the third quarter of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on December 29, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Green Bay defeated Detroit 23-20. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 29: Detroit Lions Head Football Coach Matt Patricia talks with his defense during the third quarter of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on December 29, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Green Bay defeated Detroit 23-20. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

4. Detroit Lions

It’s been a rough two years for the team from the Motor City since general manager Bob Quinn brought aboard new head coach Matt Patricia to replace Jim Caldwell as the head coach of the Detroit Lions.

A team that finished 9-7 and out of the playoffs in 2018 owns a combined 9-22-1 record under their current sideline leader. And after owning a 2-0-1 record in their first three games this past season, the Men from Motown won just once the remainder of the year and closed out ’19 with nine consecutive setbacks.

It would be easy to point to the fact that the club played without starting quarterback Matthew Stafford in its final eight contests and his absence was certainly factor in the Lions’ 3-12-1 campaign. But a defensive unit that was 10th in the NFL in yards allowed per game in 2018 surrendered the second-most total yards in the league this past year.

Patricia’s squad allowed 423 points and 46 offensive touchdowns. The Lions surrendered 33 scores through the air while coming up with only 28 sacks. And teams managed to run for 115.9 yards per contest. A year ago, Quinn broke the bank to sign defensive end Trey Flowers away from the New England Patriots. Could the franchise be ready to open up its checkbook once again? The defense could have a gaping hole up the middle if the Detroit does not bring back A’Shawn Robinson.

Next: No. 3

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