Lions 2020 FA thread

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If you're into reading the comics/funnies section of a Sunday paper (yes, they still exist) then you'll get a laugh out of this article.

Detroit Lions hit the mark in NFL free agency, trades: Here are our grades

Chase Daniel
Grade: B

LB Jamie Collins
Grade: A

DT Danny Shelton
Grade: A

OL Halapoulivaati Vaitai
Grade: B

CB Desmond Trufant
Grade: A

S Duron Harmon
Grade: A

DT Nicholas Williams
Grade: B

S Jayron Kearse
Grade: B

and this comes from the mal-content Carlos Monarrez.

total Bullshit grades.

 

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Should still slot in less than 20 a year hopefully.

I like your optimism.

but that's where I draw the line.

 

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Visiting too many shops here in Vegas

touche'

my house needs a de-fogging (not from pests either).

 

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Wojo: Sorry, it'll take more than ex-Pats to fix the Lions

In these abnormal times, Quinn and Patricia are sticking to their own odd normal. Whatever urgent edict they’re supposedly operating under, they’re all in with what they believe, unwavering in their hunt for players with specific skillsets and mindsets, team-oriented guys that aren’t necessarily individual game-changers. In the process, the roster didn’t get any younger, and still lacks impact players.

BB_72: You can now exclude Chase Young, Jeffrey Okudah, Jerry Jeudy, Javon Kinlaw, Josh Uche, Bradley Anae, Jonathan Taylor (anyone else similar to them) from your draft wish list

 

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Wojo: Sorry, it'll take more than ex-Pats to fix the Lions

If I were to grade the Lions’ free-agent class, based on talent alone, I’d give it a C-plus or B-minus. But you know what else the Patriots do masterfully? Identify when it’s time to move on from a player because of age or expense.

BB_72: huh, how different two local Detroit media writer's view the grading of this years FA acquisitions.

 

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Wojo: Sorry, it'll take more than ex-Pats to fix the Lions

There could be more signings, and of course the April 23 draft beckons, where the Lions should add a potential star. But two themes already are obvious: Defense and size. Patricia prefers bulk on his defense, evidenced by second-round linebacker Jahlani Tavai last season and the newcomer Williams (6-5, 309). Quinn prefers bulk everywhere, evidenced by the 6-6, 320-pound Vaitai.

BB_72: I've been pointing this out since the 2018 season on what they look for in so-called football players.

 

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Wojo: Sorry, it'll take more than ex-Pats to fix the Lions

Near as I can tell, instead of stacking solid pieces on top of each other, the Lions are binging and purging. Harmon, 29, was a part-time starter in seven seasons in New England and theoretically is the new version of Diggs, just as Shelton is the new version of Harrison and Collins is the new version of Kennard and Trufant is the new version of Slay.

It all seems less by design and more by happenstance. Keep signing and slicing and hope you find a few that fit. It’s the Lions’ Compatriot Way, and we’re still waiting for evidence it’ll ever work.

 

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After a busy week, let's check in on the Lions' salary-cap situation

In our previous cap analysis prior to the start of free agency, we estimated the Lions had approximately $51 million in overall space, giving them $25-30 million to commit to the signing period. Using the same math, the Lions could still safely use between $7-10 million of their current cap space on roster upgrades prior to April's draft.

 

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Detroit Lions bring back special teams expert Miles Killebrew

The Detroit Lions are bringing back one of their best special teams players of the past few seasons.

Miles Killebrew agreed to a new contract, the team announced Friday, after a brief dalliance with free agency.

Killebrew, a fourth-round pick out of Southern Utah in 2016, led the Lions with 13 special teams tackles last season and played the second-most special teams snaps (351).

 

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Ex-Detroit Lions tight end Eric Ebron reportedly gets 2-year deal with Pittsburgh Steelers

Ebron, the No. 10 pick in the 2014 NFL draft, has signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

J.D. McKissic agrees to sign with the Washington Redskins

McKissic was an exclusive rights free agent but the Lions chose not to tender him an offer, making him an unrestricted free agent free to sign anywhere. He joins old Lions teammate Logan Thomas, who has also agreed to terms with Washington on a new deal.

 

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Lions moves all but rule out drafting Isaiah Simmons

Collins has the kind of positional versatility. Primarily a SAM backer for most of the last five years, he has over 200 snaps in the last three years (two in Cleveland, one in New England) at the following positions:

• SAM backer
• ILB
• Slot corner (primarily over a flexed TE)
• Rush OLB

That covers the LB utilization Simmons would offer. With Collins signed for three years and $30 million, the Lions are pretty committed to having him in that role.

 

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Eagles land CB Darius Slay, send two 2020 draft picks to Lions

Barnwell's grades: Eagles B, Lions C

 

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Source: Desmond Trufant latest add to Lions' rebuilt defense
Cornerback Desmond Trufant has agreed to a two-year contract with the Detroit Lions worth $21 million, including $14 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN's Jordan Schultz.

• Rothstein: Analysis of every Lions signing
  
  
• Barnwell's grade: C+
  

 

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The Lions trade for Patriots safety Duron Harmon
Duron Harmon has been a consistent player for the Patriots over the first seven years of his career, registering 175 tackles, 17 interceptions and 28 passes defended. He will likely fit in with Detroit in its three safety looks.

 

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Lions agree to terms with former Patriots DL Danny Shelton
The Detroit Lions have agreed to a two-year, $8 million deal with defensive tackle Danny Shelton, agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Wednesday.

Shelton becomes the fourth member of the New England Patriots to join the Lions over the past two offseasons. Jamie Collins agreed to a deal with the Lions on Monday, while Trey Flowers and Danny Amendola left New England for Detroit prior to the 2019 season.

• Rothstein: Analysis of every Lions signing
  
  
• Barnwell's grade: B
  

 

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Source: Chase Daniel agrees to 3-year deal with Lions
Former Chicago Bears quarterback Chase Daniel has reached an agreement with the Detroit Lions on a three-year, $13.05 million deal that includes a voidable clause, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Lions knew they needed to address their backup quarterback situation after losing starter Matthew Stafford to a broken back for the final eight games of the season.

• Rothstein: Analysis of every Lions signing
  
  
• Barnwell: D+
  

 

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Ex-Patriots LB Collins reaches deal with Lions
Former New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins is joining the Detroit Lions on a three-year, $30 million deal, with $18 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN's Field Yates.

• Rothstein: Analysis of every Lions signing
  
  
• Barnwell's grade: C+
  

 

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Falcons cutting CB Desmond Trufant
The Atlanta Falcons are releasing cornerback Desmond Trufant, according to multiple reports. The move saves the Falcons $4.95 million against the salary cap. Trufant had three years and $35.25 million left on his contract. The Falcons were looking for salary-cap relief as they attempt to target an impact pass-rusher in free agency.

 

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Trufant was still averaging nearly 12M annually from the Falcons which was pretty much in line with Slay

 

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Lions agree to terms with OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai
The Detroit Lions are in agreement on terms with former Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai, a source told ESPN's Field Yates.

• Rothstein: Analysis of every Lions deal
  
  
• Barnwell's grade: C