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[JGSpartan]

I'd keep splashy big signings to one at a time tops for free agency.

[Fraquar]

I disagree. You win by filling your roster needs with mid tier, short term free agents and then drafting BPA. If you go into the draft fishing for needs you're gonna pass up better players.

That is half the issue. The other is does the coaching staff create an environment where players can actually compete - regardless of tenure.
We know the answer to that with many of the previous iterations of this team - NO.
We only hope that changes. Teams are built through the draft, they are rounded out though FA/Trades.

[Trickalicious]

Anything but the traditional Lions method of filling a roster like they fill their pants; Haphazardly, with a lot of stink, and after a night of cheap vodka.

[jaadam4]

One series that surprised me has been Goliath. The first season was really great as Billy Bob Thornton reminds everyone at how fantastic as an actor he is. Its kind of his typecast part where he's a relentless, smart fuck up but he plays it so well.

The 3rd season was meh but season 4 is great. I haven't binged watched in awhile but its good.

[Futureshock]

I disagree. You win by filling your roster needs with mid tier, short term free agents and then drafting BPA. If you go into the draft fishing for needs you're gonna pass up better players.

You are disagreeing with the same point?

And the team is not at THAT point yet. There are "needs" all over the board. There's no way for them to draft anyone without it fulfilling a "need." And you can't be so stuck in BPA that you end up with 8 WRs or 6 DEs. FA is fool's gold and who may look great elsewhere almost rarely looks great on your team.

Your general philosophy I agree with. But it is loose at best and more dependent where you are as a franchise. THE CURRENT TEAM IS AN EXPANSION team. How do they NOT draft a need?

Between last year, this year and next year; that will be about 30 picks. How do they not cover needs? Do you really think that's possible? I don't.

You go BPA with a "need" getting the nod in a tie. Right?

The first should never ever be "need" (See Quinn terrible drafting as a reference) It is better to marry your actual position to where the prospect you've fallen in love with is rated then reaching for need at the top of the draft. That's why I am glad we are at #2. BPA and need meeting at the spot where it all comes together.

This may be too much but, if you notice, the draft's (all of them) talent doesn't fit with the "Rounds" structure. I think of it as more of tiers. The 1st tier may be 10 deep. It may be 4-5 deep. Like this year. The second tier is usually longer then a round and lasts until the early or mid second round.

1st Tier
KT
Hutch
Hamilton
Neal
Ekwonu

What's really interesting this year is the extra-ordinary number of impact Safeties that are available. At last count there is at least 8 of them. Also, that second Tier may extend far.

That's why (this won't be popular) I hope we can trade down from #32 to parlay it into a second and at least an additional 3rd. I think there's a decent chance someone wants to lock in "their guy" with that additional year that you get for being a 1st rounder.

I'd keep splashy big signings to one at a time tops for free agency.

Agree.

I like maybe targeting A Robinson and M. Williams. Only.

*BUT, didn't Snead just bury this? They drafted well and then they filled their team with known Pro-Bowl level splashy acquires? Mostly in 1 year.

Main has a great point though. If we re-sign Walker and bring in Williams, do we just pass on Safety? I can see a Safety being the BPA when we're up in so many different spots.

[Nick Pappageorgio]

Yup

[JGSpartan]

You aren't tied to guys you trade for though as the original team is typically who is still on the hook for bonuses. That's why it works so well. You're getting stars for like half the normal cap #. The only caveat to that is if the contract includes yearly roster bonuses or guaranteed salary years.

What I disagreed with was keeping FA signings to a minimum. I'd prefer to have many smaller deals to fill your roster with capable role players. unless you just meant minimum as in money.

Also yes, obviously if value is roughly equal you can go need in the draft. What you don't want to do though is go in thinking you need a WR or S and then pass on someone better to do it.

This is always a constant Forum viewpoint. "That mock is bad cuz they didn't get a WR". No, take care of any needs that desperate in FA. The Lions need talent at all positions, that is true but id only view a handful as those desperate needs, WR, LB, S.

[Nick Pappageorgio]

I was “yup”ing to spartan there.

you can’t build through FA but need those mid level guys to fill the gaps….can’t have UDFAs filling every hole.

[froot loops]

If I were GM, I'd be rather conservative in free agency this year. I would target a safety and a receiver but I wouldn't necessarily be a big spender for either.

[Tom]

Aaron Rodgers called off his engagement to actress Shailene Woodley. He’s still struggling to get that 2nd ring…

[Futureshock]

Aaron Rodgers called off his engagement to actress Shailene Woodley. He’s still struggling to get that 2nd ring…

By his looks, if he sits in a tub he'll have another

[Futureshock]

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/deshaun-watson-where-things-stand-one-month-out-from-free-agency/

Deshaun Watson: Where things stand one month out from free agency

What isn’t unclear, though, is the intense interest from NFL teams in the former Clemson star should he ultimately resolve his lawsuits and not be charged with a crime. This is something Watson nearly did at the request of Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross at the NFL trade deadline last season when a trade was nearly struck only to unravel due to only 18 of the 22 complainants being willing to reach settlements at that time with four litigants adamant that they refused to settle.

“It’s about the legal stuff with Watson right now, and nothing but that, of course,” an NFL executive said. “How many teams would be interested if he didn’t have the lawsuits and the possible charges? I would say at least six to 10 teams would step up. It’s a thorny issue because there’s going to be some fallout as far as public relations and the community. If you’re going to trade for him, you have to have your owner fully onboard. Otherwise, it’s a non-starter.”

[Futureshock]

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2022-nfl-free-agent-rankings/

7) S Marcus Williams

Marcus Williams might be the purest form of a free safety left in the NFL. This man played half his snaps on Mars in Dennis Allen’s defense. He’d have his toes at 16 yards pre-snap and be at 25 within a half-second. But there’s enough diversity in the Saints defense to get at least a general feel for how he’d operate in a more versatile role.

For example, his interception Week 1 against Aaron Rodgers came as the backside safety. He read Rodgers’ intentions and scooted at a 45-degree angle to take away the front side post. The throw was way off, but Williams’ instincts shined on that particular play. In that same game, he took off from between the hashes and beat both cornerback and receiver to the front pylon. Rodgers tossed the ball out of bounds.

He’s not the most physical player on the back end, but Williams isn’t unwilling to step into the muck, either. There are three types of safeties: Head-hunters (who no longer hunt heads specifically but invite contact), pile-pushers, and skaters. Williams will join the party, but he won’t seek 1-on-1 contact often.

Spotrac Market Value: 5 years, $67.8 million

23) TE Dalton Schultz

Dalton Schultz has made a name for himself as one of Dak Prescott’s most reliable targets over the past two seasons when Dak’s been healthy. In 2021, Schultz caught 78 passes for 808 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Like any Stanford tight end, Schultz possesses great height for the position. But he was billed more as a blocker coming out of school rather than a receiving threat. He was never an extremely physical blocker, but he was technically refined in school. That script has flipped at the NFL level, and it will get him paid this offseason.

Spotrac Market Value: 4 years, $50.7 million

24) S Quandre Diggs

The 2021 season was an even wider departure from the old Seattle single-high Cover 3. Quandre Diggs played about double the snaps as a half-field safety as a single-high player. Over the past two seasons, Diggs has been the Seahawks’ best defensive player on a unit that boasts both Bobby Wagner and Jamal Adams.

Diggs tragically broke his fibula and dislocated his ankle in the final game of the season against Arizona. Broken bones have become less of an issue as medical advancements should have him back by the start of the 2022 regular season, as he seemed to avoid any ligament damage in his ankle.

Diggs’ 5 interceptions are undoubtedly valuable to the Seahawks’ defense, but his down-to-down consistency in any coverage is what makes him so dangerous. Safeties are often thrown by the wayside in terms of monetary value, but Diggs should make a pretty penny if his rehab goes well leading into free agency.

Spotrac Market Value: 3 years, $36.5 million

27) WR Michael Gallup

Coming out of Colorado State, Michael Gallup was an all-around playmaker, but he posted mediocre testing numbers. The Cowboys were able to draft him midway through Round 3 of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Despite his lackluster testing numbers, there aren’t many receivers in the NFL that separate better downfield than Gallup. His nuance as a vertical route runner allows him to pace himself and explode late, creating separation downfield. But he’s more than just a downfield threat. There also aren’t many who consistently put up toe-drag swag highlights like Gallup. He has a natural feel for the sideline that others simply don’t.

So, why is he down at No. 27 on the free-agent list? Well, he’s better suited as a WR2 than a WR1. Gallup’s not someone who will consistently create separation throughout the route tree, making him more QB-dependent than most receivers. But if he goes to a situation with a veteran QB who can work passes into tight windows, he could find production as he had in 2019.

Spotrac Market Value: 4 years, $47.5 million

28) TE David Njoku

Things never really clicked for David Njoku in Cleveland. Although he was a pretty efficient weapon for the Browns in 2021, he wasn’t heavily used in the passing attack. Still, Njoku showed flashes in the Chargers game that he could have a big day when used as a focal point in an offense.

Njoku’s good with the ball in his hands for the position, and he’s been decently sure-handed throughout his first five NFL seasons. But Njoku must be used in a very specific role as a move tight end. He’s not a blocker. He can survive against linebackers and members of the secondary, but he won’t and can’t hold his own physically against defensive linemen.

That wasn’t a great matchup for the Browns’ offense. But a more pass-heavy team should jump on the potential that the 25-year-old can bring, especially if Njoku’s projected market price is accurate.

Spotrac Market Value: 4 years, $27.7 million

Halfthe cost of Schultz and more explosion and ability to get behind defenders.

31) WR Allen Robinson

Robinson took a back seat to teammate Darnell Mooney in 2021. Robinson took a three-year, $42 million deal a few years back and was franchised last season. After taking the money on his second deal, I’d be surprised if he doesn’t take a slightly smaller deal to play with a contender, as Amari Cooper did for the Cowboys after they hilariously let him hit the open market.

Robinson is still a big, physical freak who wins in contested situations and has the explosion to separate in short areas. He’s not going to run by anybody, but in the right situation, he could return to his 1,000-yard form.

He’s best used as an intermediate weapon that can use his frame, agility, and understanding of leverage to separate on the horizontal plane. Deep outs, comebacks, and in-breaking intermediate routes are his go-to. He also provides a tight end-like frame on slants, which could be useful for RPO-heavy teams.
Spotrac Market Value: 4 years, $65.5 million

He sounds like what this team needs for Goff

[JGSpartan]

I can't see them signing Njoku. I don't think that reflects the type of offense Campbell wants to run. I could see it if Hockenson was a more consistent, not overly penalized run blocker. I think they'll want to round out that depth with TE's that run block.

I do agree that Allen Robinson would be a solid fit though. A reliable vet who isn't too old yet is precisely what they need at the position to hold them over while you wait for their current youth to develop and/or new picks to be hits. Signing him, re-upping Walker and finding a LB would put you into a much better BPA position in the draft. It will also probably be at the limit of what they can bring in cap wise barring restructures. Edge is obviously a need too but you're already guaranteed one of those to fit into a BPA at 2.

[Mainevent]

I think if they are truly invested in Goff, you've got to give him a vet WR to work with. I've always been a big Robinson fan, he'd a be great to have. After spending the last several years with bad teams and bad QBs in Chicago, would he be wiling to roll the dice on Detroit and Goff? Might not be the route he wants to go unless Detroit has the biggest checkbook.

But if Robinson did come to Detroit, it would open the draft to look at a WR in that 3rd round range rather than late first/early 2nd.