Lions News

[El Axe]

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But really? Do you go "all in" because "this is your window" or do you follow a plan for long term relevance.

I think the latter and I think that is Holmes and Campbell's plan

Ben's point is that teams that have crushed the draft for a year or two typically return back to normal and since the Super Bowl window right after those great draft classes is usually very small, you need to strike immediately. In other words, spend that first on Sneed (or get that great pass rusher). If you miss the window, it may not open again.

I'm not sure where I am with it, I'm just adding more detail to why Ben said that.


edit: One reason Holmes has crushed the draft classes is much like how any team does. He exploited a flaw in the group mind think of the NFL GMs. They all got caught up in positional value and measurables and lost sight of the simple fact that a great linebacker is better value than an average WR and that football players play football better than athletes. Other teams have seen this and he's unlikely to continue to exploit this.

[jaadam4]

I like Fuller on a 3 year deal. He was very good last year on a mess of a Washington defense.

I could handle that

[jaadam4]

The Athletic guys said the Lions should call up KC and offer a 2nd rounder for Sneed, basically under the assumption that Chris Jones will be resigned and KC will rely on their ability to develop CBs to replace Sneed. Don’t think that would get it done, but worth a shot.

A second round pick would do it for Sneed and KC will be happy with it. No one is offering them a first for him. KC cant afford Sneed so they have to trade him. I’m sure teams would prob offer a second but the problem with our second is it’s so deep in the round.

[JGSpartan]

Sneed is not worth a first rounder. Bills got Rasul Douglas and a fifth last year for a 3rd. Douglas is better than Sneed.

[El Axe]

I didn't find this very insightful, but it's nfl.com content, so might as well share

https://www.nfl.com/news/the-first-read-five-teams-that-must-make-a-splash-in-nfl-free-agency-in-2024

2 Detroit Lions 2023 record: 12-5

Lions head coach Dan Campbell acknowledged that his team's loss to San Francisco in the NFC Championship Game still haunts him. You know what would make that pain a little easier to stomach? Thinking about all the ways the Lions could move forward from that defeat and maintain the momentum Campbell and GM Brad Holmes created within this franchise.

The Lions are projected have just over $51 million in cap space, so the ammunition will be there to make moves. The key, as has been the case with Holmes over the past three years, is to spend judiciously at this time of year. This team went from bottom-dweller to NFC North champion largely because of successful drafting.

"We always talk about how selective and strategic we do have to be in free agency because you don't really know these players," Holmes told reporters during the combine last week. "You see what you see on film, but like I've told all of you, that's the easy, coherent part. But you don't really know them know them. And so that's why you got to be real careful. When you draft and you know your own guys, you feel a lot more comfortable."

The Lions had one of the most potent offenses in the league in 2023. Where they can improve dramatically in free agency is on the other side of the football. The only consistent pass rusher up front is end Aidan Hutchinson, so Detroit must find more disruptors in that space. Once again, Chris Jones or Danielle Hunter would be ideal fits for a team that appears to be one or two defensive players away from reaching the Super Bowl. The Lions also need help at cornerback, where they've annually struggled to find consistent answers. A no-brainer would be a player they've already seen seven times over the past four seasons: Chicago's Jaylon Johnson. He turns 25 in April, and there's plenty to like about his skill set and long-term upside. (EDITOR'S UPDATE: The Bears tagged Johnson on Tuesday.) If the Lions want to talk about a trade for L'Jarius Sneed -- who is already 27 -- that could be intriguing, as well.

It should be said here that Detroit does need to figure out what it's going to do about an extension for quarterback Jared Goff, who is entering the final year of his current contract, in the near future, and the team does have to address some upcoming free agents on the interior offensive line. But defensive improvement is going to be critical for this franchise. Detroit will be one of the top two contenders in the NFC, along with San Francisco, when next season begins. They must do everything possible to ensure they end up in a better place than they did last season.

[El Axe]

[Mainevent]

Nice. He’s still just 23, so would fit right in with some of the core team.

[Blue Lagoon58]

I don't particularly trust Risdon on something like this. Wouldn't be too bad, tho.

[jaadam4]

I don’t know enough about Newsome but that article
suggests we give up a 3rd in 2024 and a 4th in 2025 and we get a contact ext in place. Seems good for a CB1 but is he worth it?

[JGSpartan]

That's an overpay for what he's shown so far. Maybe if it was just the 3. Slay went for a 3 and a 5. Rasul Douglas went for a 3 and they even got back a five. They were both more proven players than Newsome.

[Mainevent]

Rasul Douglas is 29 years old. Slay was 28 or 29 when he was traded by an idiot. Newsome is 23. He had a strong first two seasons, apparently they bumped him inside this year to get their 3 best CBs on the field and he didn’t have a great season in that role. But he’s a better fit at outside.

[froot loops]

The key would be the size of the extension. Currently, he would cost 2.4 million in 2024 and 13.4 in 2025. I'm not sure you want to give up two mid level picks for only two seasons, unless you are starting to play the comp pick game He's not a world beater yet but he has shown promise and would be an upgrade because he is better suited to man coverage on the outside.

There is not going to be a perfect addition for the corners, but they have to upgrade and he would be an upgrade.

[Iron Lion]

Screenshot-20240310-080016-Lions.jpg

[Iron Lion]

Apparently Brock Wright and Sam LaPorta swapped jerseys during the game. Illegal, but a brilliant strategic move we got away with.

[El Axe]

Is it just me, or is LaPorta's lower left leg in that picture doing something that it's not supposed to do?