Fansided

Detroit Lions: 5 offseason needs in 2020

By Russell S. Baxter

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 03: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions looks to pass the ball in the fourth quarter against the Oakland Raiders at RingCentral Coliseum on November 03, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 03: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions looks to pass the ball in the fourth quarter against the Oakland Raiders at RingCentral Coliseum on November 03, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 08: Defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson #91 of the Detroit Lions during the second half of the NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 08: Defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson #91 of the Detroit Lions during the second half of the NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

1. Address the defensive tackle position

It has suddenly become an even bigger area of concern for the team.

Head coach Matt Patricia built his reputation with the New England Patriots on defense. Now the Detroit Lions must shore up the middle when it comes to this side of the football. It’s compounded by the fact that four-year pro A’Shawn Robinson, a 16-game starter in 2017 who has made just 16 starts the past two seasons combined, can test free agency if there’s no new agreement by March 18.

There’s also the recent news that the club has parted ways with defensive tackle Damon Harrison, one of the better run-stoppers in the league. Obtained via trade a few years ago from the New York Giants during the 2018 midseason, he played in 24 games for the Lions and made two dozen starts.

One-time Green Bay Packers’ standout Mike Daniels played nine games for Patricia’s team this past season. Like Robinson, he can also become an unrestricted free agent next month.

More fansided.com: NFL power rankings: 2020 edition – Chiefs at No. 1

The Lions have a new defensive coordinator in Cory Undlin, the former defensive backs coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. There’s already question marks regarding Detroit’s secondary and they could be compounded if general manager Bob Quinn can’t find a way to shore up the interior of the defensive line. Could the franchise be looking at a draft heavy on one side of the football?

Home/Detroit Lions