The Detroit Lions need to upgrade both sides of the ball, but these are players they cannot afford to have on their roster.
Enter a new era for the Detroit Lions. Then again, it always feels like we’re entering a new era with the Motor City franchise.
Dan Campbell is here to bite kneecaps and chew bubblegum. He’s all out of bubblegum so building a winning culture will have to do. Detroit also found a gem as their next GM in Brad Holmes, making the two a 1-2 combination that might finally work in the NFC North.
The question is, how long will the rebuild take?
The Lions will need to trim the fat off several contracts if they hope to be players in free agency. Sitting at $8 million over the cap, the Lions won’t be able to be massive spenders even if they free up the space to make several signings. This would mean each addition would have to come at the right price.
These three names would not only put the Lions in pickle, but they also do little for a team that’s at least a year away from being competent.
Which free agents should the Lions avoid this offseason?
Upgrading the 32nd-ranked defense will be key for Detroit this offseason. They need help in the secondary, front seven and specifically at the pass rush. Brad Holmes will hopefully learn from the past mistakes of Bob Quinn and not overpay a player with a year of strong production.
Looking at you, Trey Flowers.
Judon comes with the “buyers’ beware” background after a mixed season with the Ravens. Wink Martindale’s system heavily blitzes off the edge, but the 28-year-old only tallied six sacks on the season. Yes, he’s good at disrupting quarterbacks in initial plays, but that’s more so better suited as a situational pass rusher.
Money spent on Judon could go better suited towards the secondary and the trenches. A pass rusher will command a hefty salary, but Judon has never tallied double-digit sacks in his career. Who’s to say Aaron Glenn’s defensive front will help?
Holmes needs to make the smarter moves for depth instead of the splash signing. That can’t happen if Judon commands more of the salary cap available.