2019 FA thread

[Gulf of Brazil]

Examining free agent pass rushers: Why these players fit Detroit Lions

Za’Darius Smith’s name doesn’t spring to mind when thinking of the NFL’s best pass rushers, at least not in the same way DeMarcus Lawrence, Jadeveon Clowney and Frank Clark do.

The Lions want more playmakers on their roster, on this Quinn has been clear. Their offense lacked an explosive element last season, and defensively they were among the worst in the league at turning the ball over.

“When we’re going through the evaluation process, making sure we’re taking a close look at game-changing plays that the guys that we’re looking at in free agency and the draft, I think that’s something that’s crucial,” Quinn said. “Third down, red area are two really critical areas. So we kind of break down defensive players by kind of area of the field as well and see how they do on third down, see how they do in crucial situations, see how they do in the red area.”

 

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Examining free agent pass rushers: Why these players fit Detroit Lions

Smith had a career-high 8.5 sacks last year for Baltimore, which ranked just 29th in the league, but using the Lions’ “crucial situation” metric, he had a much more impressive season than others who put up similar or better numbers.

Seven-and-a-half of Smith’s sacks came on third down, and he had another half-sack on a second-and-8 play on the opening drive of overtime in an early-season game against the Cleveland Browns.

One sack knocked an opponent out of field-goal range, two more came with an opponent on the precipice of field-goal range, and Smith also forced a fumble on third down.

None of that means the Lions will go hard after Smith in free agency, and there are other factors to consider if they do. Smith, who turns 27 in September, made just eight starts last season, which matched his total from his first three years in the NFL. He played on one of the NFL’s best defenses, which helped his pass-rush production. And while he played all over the Ravens’ defensive line and at outside linebacker, the Lions would have to be sure he could play right end in their system, which is their biggest position of need on defense.

But at a minimum, Smith checks off several of the boxes the Lions are looking for in their free agents, and unlike Lawrence, Clowney and Clark, there’s a chance he reaches the open market.

 

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Examining free agent pass rushers: Why these players fit Detroit Lions

Smith isn’t the only pass rusher who fits that criteria, either, which is good news for a Lions team that’s expected to be active in free agency and has two defensive ends up for new contracts in Romeo Okwara (a restricted free agent who the Lions are expected to bring back)

New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers, who many assume will be the Lions’ top defensive end target if he hits free agency — and for now, he’s not expected to get the franchise tag — had four of his 7.5 sacks in the red zone or on third down last season (including two split sacks).

 

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Examining free agent pass rushers: Why these players fit Detroit Lions

Two more pass rushers who could interest the Lions, Dante Fowler and Preston Smith, both fared well in Quinn’s “critical situation” criteria.

Fowler, who was a first-round bust in three seasons in Jacksonville but still has plenty of upside at 24 years old, recorded three of his four sacks and both of his forced fumbles on third down or in the red zone. Fowler, who was traded from Jacksonville to the Los Angeles Rams at midseason, had his fourth sack on a first-and-10 play just outside of the red zone in a December win over the Lions, on a series that ended in a field goal. He also had 1.5 sacks in the playoffs, including one that knocked the Dallas Cowboys out of field-goal range.

And while Smith had just four sacks for Washington last season after recording two eight-sack seasons earlier in his career, three (including two half-sacks) came with his opponent in field-goal range and 1.5 of those came inside Washington’s 5-yard line.

Add it all up and, even with the best pass rushers expected to get the franchise tag, the Lions should have plenty of options to upgrade their defense.

“Bottom line, for a defense in the NFL, I’m OK if we give up 500 yards a game as long as we don’t give up any points,” Quinn said. “Ultimately it comes down to scoring so we just want more players that take the ball away.”

 

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5 free agent safeties the Detroit Lions should have an eye on

Today we will take a look at some of the safety talent that is available that can fit into Quin’s role. First, here are some names you might recognize that wont be on the list:

Landon Collins: The New York Giants star safety seems set for a franchise tag.

ig: josinaanderson‏Verified account @JosinaAnderson
I’m told that Giants S Landon Collins cleaned out his locker today at the team facility and said his goodbyes to teammates, coaches and trainers. It doesn’t seem like Collins expects to be a Giant for much longer, per sources.

11:14 AM - 20 Feb 2019

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

^^^^

I'd be perfectly fine with signing Collins as a "in the box Safety" but I'd rather not see him all that often as a deep field safety in coverage. He has some stiffness in turn and run transitions and I think you could draft a safety in this upcoming class that isn't as good as Collins in the box but has better potential in coverage.

Diggs is better at shallow zones than he is in deep coverage. imo.

I'd expect Collins to seek APY somewhere in the 9-11M range. He may very well not get that.

 

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5 free agent safeties the Detroit Lions should have an eye on

their list includes;

Earl Thomas

Tre Boston

La Marcus Joyner

Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix

George Illoka

Thomas, Boston and Clinton-Dix will command big $$$.

I'd also expect Thomas to attempt to sign with Jerruh Jones.

 

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Landon Collins: Career Stats at NFL.com


Earl Thomas: Career Stats at NFL.com


Tre Boston: Career Stats at NFL.com


Lamarcus Joyner: Career Stats at NFL.com


Ha Ha Clinton-Dix: Career Stats at NFL.com


George Iloka: Career Stats at NFL.com

 

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Pro Football Focus‏Verified account @PFF
2018's highest-graded quarterbacks in the NFC North

9:47 AM - 20 Feb 2019

 

[Old Lion]

Landon Collins: Career Stats at NFL.com


Earl Thomas: Career Stats at NFL.com


Tre Boston: Career Stats at NFL.com


Lamarcus Joyner: Career Stats at NFL.com


Ha Ha Clinton-Dix: Career Stats at NFL.com


George Iloka: Career Stats at NFL.com

Iloka might have a few good years left and not be too expensive.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Iloka might have a few good years left and not be too expensive.

maybe. The Lions were trying to get him before he re-signed with Cincy a couple years back and that was on BQ's watchlist. He should come cheap but I wonder what's physically wrong with him. I'd almost rather go Smitty's way and sign Landon Collins than sign a possible suspect S in Illoka, who may have some regression or whatever the reason Cincy dumped him so quickly.

George Iloka Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money, and Contract History | Over The Cap

you can see in that link above, if you click on the history tab that he was re-signed in 2016 and then released after 2017. There's something that went wrong quickly, imo.

 

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NFC free agency fun: Trey Flowers to Eagles? Earl Thomas to ...

Detroit Lions: Ronald Darby, cornerback

The Lions vastly improved their run defense last season after trading for mammoth tackle Damon Harrison. They still require help rushing the passer, though, and desperately need a cornerback. Even coming off a torn ACL, Darby is the biggest FA prize at the position and would get Detroit's team-building process off to a promising start. Can you imagine the Lions generating some excitement for a change?

BB_72; when he's healthy, he's arguably one of the games best CB but he's missed 7 & 8 games respectively in the last two years

Ronald Darby: Career Stats at NFL.com

 

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Ten defensive backs worth pursuing via free agency/NFL draft

speaks for itself

@Old Lion JoeJuan Williams is in here at #10

@broncosmitty Landon Collins is #4 (you should be GM) pardon me for not knowing a players skillset.

 

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Ten pass rushers worth pursuing in free agency/2019 NFL Draft

Willie McGinest doesn't even mention Trey Flowers. Hoodie homer.

BB_72; he does mention Ravens OLB ZaDarius Smith as did yesterday's Lion's Wire article did also. McGinest's list came out today. Lions-Wire was yesterday or day before.

4) Za'Darius Smith, OLB, free agent


The Ravens' outside linebacker is a very physical and explosive player, and he's hard to get into when he uses his 6-foot-4 length. With good moves and an attitude coaches covet, Smith racked up 8.5 sacks last season, and Pro Football Focus had him with 17 quarterback hits and 33 hurries. He's the type of player who can bring a defense to the next level.

 

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If I were GM: Three offseason moves for each NFC North team

DETROIT LIONS

Detroit has talent sprinkled throughout the roster, but there are still quite a few holes on both sides of the ball. The Lions need to address the following if they want to compete for the division title:

1) Matt Patricia needs an edge rusher. Set to become a free agent, Ezekiel Ansah is a player the Lions must replace. Patricia's defense was a middle-of-the-road unit in his first year as head coach -- he needs to bolster the pass rush in order for the D to move up the ranks. I have Mississippi State's Montez Sweat going to Detroit with the No. 8 pick of my mock draft, which would be a great move for this team.

2) Find Darius Slay a partner in crime. Slay has been a staple of the Lions' defense for several years, but he needs a more capable cohort on the other side. Nevin Lawson has been OK at times, but Detroit needs more consistent play opposite Slay to stop the dangerous pass attacks of its division rivals.

3) Sign offensive weapons. Matthew Stafford and Co. seriously struggled to produce in 2018, especially after Detroit traded Golden Tate to the Eagles in October. The Lions' offense ranked 24th in yards, 25th in points and 30th in big plays (rushes of 10-plus yards, passes of 20-plus) last season. That's not going to cut it. Detroit needs to make big moves for talented skill-position players in free agency and the draft.

 

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Justin Rogers' top 30 free-agent targets for the Detroit Lions

 

[Old Lion]

maybe. The Lions were trying to get him before he re-signed with Cincy a couple years back and that was on BQ's watchlist. He should come cheap but I wonder what's physically wrong with him. I'd almost rather go Smitty's way and sign Landon Collins than sign a possible suspect S in Illoka, who may have some regression or whatever the reason Cincy dumped him so quickly.

George Iloka Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money, and Contract History | Over The Cap

you can see in that link above, if you click on the history tab that he was re-signed in 2016 and then released after 2017. There's something that went wrong quickly, imo.

We only have so much money. Cant spend big at every position. I am not sold on him either so maybe safety comes in the draft if we dont spend big on one.

 

[Old Lion]

Justin Rogers' top 30 free-agent targets for the Detroit Lions

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Nice stop gap that would allow us to spend more at other positions (like DE).

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Justin Rogers' top 30 free-agent targets for the Detroit Lions

 

[Old Lion]

Justin Rogers' top 30 free-agent targets for the Detroit Lions

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Nice. Ware would be a good replacement for Blount. It would also mean we could draft whatever RB we wanted instead of being forced to get a bigger back.

Still shaky on Darby. No guarantee he will be anything close to what he was.