Free Agency Priorities

Cornerback

Can you imagine how good this pass defense would be if they had even a decent secondary. They’re adding Nick Fairley to a pass rush that already had 44 sacks last year and is still pretty young. The Lions are probably on the short list for Nnamdi Asomugha and if they miss out on him, they’ll try to sign other cornerback options through free agency. 

Safety

Basically the same thing as cornerback. They ranked 26th against the pass last year with 44 sacks, so their defensive backs weren’t doing their jobs. They didn’t draft a single defensive back and they need a new safety opposite Louis Delmas. 

Outside Linebacker 

Outside of DeAndre Levy, they don’t have any starters at linebacker. Even if rookie Doug Hogue can step up big time as a rookie, they’ll need another starter at the position.

 

Draft Needs 

Cornerback

Detroit’s 26^th ranked pass defense was better this year than most years, but, let’s be honest, when your defensive line gets 44 sacks and you still are one of the worst pass defenses in the league, the defensive backs aren’t doing their jobs.

Offensive Tackle

Jeff Backus was the weak link on an offensive line that surprisingly only allowed 27 sacks this season. Backus is not a capable left tackle in this league, especially in a division where he faces Jared Allen, Clay Matthews, and Julius Peppers on a weekly basis. The offensive line is not fully at fault for all of Stafford’s injuries, but when your 73 million dollar former #1 pick quarterback has a glass shoulder and your team hasn’t made the playoffs in over a decade, you need someone better than Jeff Backus blocking Peppers, Matthews, and Allen. Even Backus supporters can’t argue this, he turns 34 in September. Unless they think Jason Fox is the future, they should focus on this need early.

Drafted Johnny Culbreath (#209) 

Safety

CC Brown started at safety for a few games this year. Yikes! Amari Spievey, a former corner, played there as well for a bit, but he struggled as well. They need a better safety opposite Louis Delmas.

Outside Linebacker

Remember when linebacker was the strength of this defense just a year ago? Now they have nothing at one outside linebacker spot and at the other they have a soon to be 33 year old Julian Peterson.

Drafted Doug Hogue (#157) 

Defensive End

Kyle Vanden Bosch turns 33 next season so while the former Titan had a rebirth this season once reunited with former defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, they might want to look at young blood behind him.

Running Back

Jahvid Best and Kevin Smith both can’t stay healthy. Anytime a 31 year old Maurice Morris has to become the lead back down the stretch for two straight years, you know you need help at the position.

Drafted Mikel Leshoure (#57)