Detroit Lions: 5 offseason needs in 2020

2. Settle on a secondary

So exactly what direction is the Detroit Lions’ secondary headed these days? The latest news out there is the reality that (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter) veteran cornerback Darius Slay is on the trade market.

Named to the last three Pro Bowls, the 2013 second-round pick from Mississippi State has logged 19 regular-season interceptions in seven seasons. He comes off a year in which he finished with 46 tackles, two interceptions and one fumble recovery while tying for the team lead with 13 passes defensed.

Meanwhile, it should also be noted that the club has three potential unrestricted free agents in safeties Tavon Wilson and Miles Kilebrew and cornerback Rashaan Melvin. The latter finished third on the club with 68 tackles and knocked down 11 passes. Wilson was the Lions’ second-leading tackler with 92 stops, to go along with one sacks and fumble recovery as well as five passes defensed.

Of course, this was a team that allowed the most passing yards in the league in 2019. It was also a franchise that made one of the more surprising moves last October when they dealt strong safety Quandre Diggs and a seventh-round pick in 2021 for a fifth-round pick in April (via Spotrac).

Yes, there’s performers such as two-year safety Tracy Walker and cornerback Justin Coleman. But this was a team in ’19 that allowed 284.4 yards per game through the air and two more scoring passes in 11 of their 16 contests. Stay tuned.

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