2022 Lions Off-Season Thread

[Gulf of Brazil]

Pass, unless they don't re-sign TW lll and he comes in at or under 8M per year.

Quandre Diggs: What would it take to bring the Pro Bowl safety back to Detroit?

Diggs will be a free agent after the season and the Lions are in desperate need of exactly what he provides at safety

lionswire.usatoday.com

Diggs has made the Pro Bowl in both seasons with Seattle. He’s picked off 13 passes in 37 games for the Seahawks. Since he left, Lions safeties have totaled just two interceptions (both by Duron Harmon in 2020).


Over The Cap projects his value at between $9 million and $10 million per season.

Bringing Diggs back to Detroit would likely cost the Lions something near a 3-year, $31.5 million deal with at least $18 million guaranteed. That’s very similar but slightly less than the deal Johnson signed with the Cleveland Browns last offseason. Paying out that much for Diggs would make re-signing Walker difficult but not untenable — and perhaps necessary.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Re-signing Tracy Walker is a priority to Aaron Glenn

The Lions defensive coordinator has seen growth in Walker as a player, leader and play-maker this season.

www.prideofdetroit.com

Safety Tracy Walker is in the final year of his rookie contract. The former third-round pick is having one of his best seasons—arguably his best—and in a struggling secondary filled with youth, Walker has provided some stability with 14 starts, 94 tackles, and a steady 64.0 PFF grade.

I asked Glenn outright if Walker, to him, is a priority to re-sign this offseason.

“Absolutely,” Glenn answered quickly. “We like good players, and if you’re a good player, we’re looking to sign you.”

“He’s bought into everything that we’re trying to get done in this defense as far as a safety’s perspective and he’s grown,” Glenn said. “He’s grown in that and he’s also become a leader as far as linebackers, as far as getting everybody together and watching some tape. That’s what we expect of our safeties.”

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Which team has the brightest future in the NFL?

Look at these teams now, because they could be the future elite of the NFL.

www.sbnation.com

No. 5: Detroit Lions​

Pros: Exciting coach, motivated roster, young roster
Cons: This is a bad team right now

I’m rounding out this list with a team I have a lot of blind faith in. The Lions are one of the worst teams in the NFL by record, but they really swung above their weight class and challenged some teams they had no business hanging with.

This is all attributable to Dan Campbell, who has fast become one of the coolest coaches in the NFL. Campbell’s players LOVE him, and they’re putting it all on the field. With some time and upgrades I really believe this could be a special team — but they’re on the edge right now because there’s a lot of work to be done.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Keep that chip on your shoulder, young man.

Notes: Amon-Ra St. Brown keeps track of 16 WRs taken before him in draft

The rookie has some spicy words for those who passed on him.

www.prideofdetroit.com

“Whenever I’m trying to take it easy or I feel good about myself or, ‘Oh, it’s just another set,’ all I gotta do is if anyone reminds me or if I even think of it, it’s go time. I’m going even harder. Those 16 receivers that went before me, I’ll never forget,” St. Brown told Kyed.

“I want all the coaches that passed up on me to regret it. That’s something that I love, them seeing me do great and them knowing they passed up on me is the feeling that I want them to never forget. I keep track of these receivers, also. I see what they’re doing, check their stats and just keep pushing,” St. Brown said.

 

[Mebert]

Pass, unless they don't re-sign TW lll and he comes in at or under 8M per year.

Quandre Diggs: What would it take to bring the Pro Bowl safety back to Detroit?

Diggs will be a free agent after the season and the Lions are in desperate need of exactly what he provides at safety

lionswire.usatoday.com

Diggs has made the Pro Bowl in both seasons with Seattle. He’s picked off 13 passes in 37 games for the Seahawks. Since he left, Lions safeties have totaled just two interceptions (both by Duron Harmon in 2020).


Over The Cap projects his value at between $9 million and $10 million per season.

Bringing Diggs back to Detroit would likely cost the Lions something near a 3-year, $31.5 million deal with at least $18 million guaranteed. That’s very similar but slightly less than the deal Johnson signed with the Cleveland Browns last offseason. Paying out that much for Diggs would make re-signing Walker difficult but not untenable — and perhaps necessary.

I am just glad we got good value for him. Jason Huntley will be around for a long time!

 

[LionsWhyMe]

Safety Tracy Walker is in the final year of his rookie contract. The former third-round pick is having one of his best seasons—arguably his best—

Isn't that how the Lions roll... wait until their contract year to show their worth of a BIG payday?

 

[Mebert]

Isn't that how the Lions roll... wait until their contract year to show their worth of a BIG payday?

Walker was on a very upward trajectory. Patricia moved him to strong safety so he could play his Patriots buddy Harmon and he was a poor fit.

Now that he is back to free safety he is back to the player he was. Itnis not just a contract year thing.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Lions GM hopes to retain Tracy Walker, Charles Harris; defers comment on Flowers' future

Lions general manager Brad Holmes sounds as though he would like to bring back Tracy Walker and Charles Harris.

www.detroitnews.com

general manager Brad Holmes sounds like a guy who hopes to have safety Tracy Walker and outside linebacker Charles Harris back in the fold in 2022.

"Those guys were fits, they fit what we’re about, and those guys played well for us," Holmes said.

"Tracy had already been with us obviously, but a new scheme, a new regime, new coaching staff, and he responded well," Holmes said. "He really did. I thought he played good football for us and he really bought into everything that we’re doing. I was really happy for him."

Harris, meanwhile, came to Detroit after struggling to find his footing in the league.

He responded with a career-high 65 tackles and 7.5 sacks, more than doubling his total from the previous four seasons.

"He had his best year in my opinion," Holmes said. "(He's) a guy that was just in a better place. Just speaking with him, he just loved it here, so we’ll just see where it goes."

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Lions claim safety JuJu Hughes off waivers from L.A. Rams

The Lions continue to add depth players with upside.

www.prideofdetroit.com

Detroit Lions sign 9 players to reserve/futures contracts

The Lions 2022 offseason is underway.

www.prideofdetroit.com

Here’s a list of the nine players who were given contracts:

• QB Steven Montez
• WR Javon McKinley
• TE Shane Zylstra
• OT Dan Skipper
• DL Bruce Hector
• DL Eric Banks
• LB Tavante Beckett
• CB Parnell Motley
• CB Saivion Smith

Detroit Lions release 6 players from practice squad

The Lions continue to make decisions on their street free agents.

www.prideofdetroit.com

The following players were released:

• WR Geronimo Allison
• TE Nick Eubanks
• TE Ross Travis
• OT Darrin Paulo
• G Parker Ehinger
• CB Nickell Robey-Coleman

Lions sign TE Matt Sokol to reserve/futures contract

The former Michigan State tight end returns to the Lions.

www.prideofdetroit.com

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Brad Holmes: Foundation has been laid, but 3 wins ‘never will be’ good enough

Brad Holmes likes where the team is headed, but knows they can’t have another season like they just did.

www.prideofdetroit.com

“Everything will be better than it was at this time last year,” Holmes said. “Free agency will be better. We’ll have a little more resources at our disposal. The draft will be even better. I thought our draft was good, but it’ll be better. We have a little more capital. So we’re really excited about that. Going into the next phase of this journey.”

That starts with taking care of his own players on expiring contracts. While Holmes didn’t reveal who he’d be interest in re-signing this offseason, he spoke quite highly of soon-to-be free agents Tracy Walker, Charles Harris and Alex Anzalone. Walker, “played good football for us” and “really bought into everything we’re doing. Harris “arguably had his best year” and “loves it here.” Anzalone and Kalif Raymond both “did very, very well” in their year in Detroit.

Detroit may have more resources in free agency, but Holmes said their approach may not change much. Last year, they found a lot of chip-on-their-shoulder players with much to prove and signed them to one-year deals. This year, their priority remains culture fits.

“We’re still going to find guys that truly fit what we’re about,” Holmes said. “You bring up the guys that have chips on their shoulders, things to prove. Well, a lot of times experiences shape people, often, and we’re a gritty group. Not saying we’re looking for one-year deal guys, but we’re still looking for guys who fit who we are. We’ll just probably be able to get a little bit more of them.”

 

[LionsWhyMe]

Itnis not just a contract year thing.

As much as I would like to say "I hope your right." I've seen it too many times in the past were they add figures to their paycheck only to ride the Gravy Train... if they don't sell themselves to the highest bidder. IDK, if Tracy Walker gets that BIG contract I have a feel you guys will be throwing him under the bus.

 

[Old Lion]

As much as I would like to say "I hope your right." I've seen it too many times in the past were they add figures to their paycheck only to ride the Gravy Train... if they don't sell themselves to the highest bidder. IDK, if Tracy Walker gets that BIG contract I have a feel you guys will be throwing him under the bus.

This could change our draft strategy if he does not sign. We would probably go with Hamilton. If TW3 signs then probably Thibodeau.

 

[LionsWhyMe]

This could change our draft strategy if he does not sign. We would probably go with Hamilton. If TW3 signs then probably Thibodeau.

As long as it's not Aidan Hutchinson for the Ford family to show off their new ride as a fan favorite to sell jersey's and tickets.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Isn't that how the Lions roll... wait until their contract year to show their worth of a BIG payday?

Once again, you illustrate your lack of knowledge within the team and its players, but you'll constantly and consistently complain about anything Lions players just to receive feedback.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

4 players the Lions could cut to free up cap room in 2022

4 veteran players the Lions could cut to free up cap room for 2022

lionswire.usatoday.com

The Vaitai and Brockers as being potential cuts seem unrealistic.

Vaitai played extremely well this year and there is no one player truly ready to occupy his spot at this time for the upcoming season. Maybe a possibility exists after pre-season games, but I wouldn't count on that.

Brockers would be the only true vet iDL to mentor these young players.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Detroit Lions 2021 review: D’Andre Swift’s big-play ability, intriguing depth has team optimistic at RB

It’s the first time the Lions had two running backs gain more than 600 yards in the same season since Reggie Bush and Joique Bell did it in 2013.

www.mlive.com

Swift finished with 617 yards and five touchdowns while serving as one of the best pass-catchers at his position. The second year back caught 62 balls on 78 targets for 452 yards and two touchdowns. He was fourth among running backs in receptions and fifth in receiving yards despite missing those four games. Swift led the team with 1,069 scrimmage yards and tied for the lead for total touchdowns with seven.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

He's a keeper and signed through 2022. Let's see what he can do next season with more opportunities

Detroit Lions 2021 review: D’Andre Swift’s big-play ability, intriguing depth has team optimistic at RB

It’s the first time the Lions had two running backs gain more than 600 yards in the same season since Reggie Bush and Joique Bell did it in 2013.

www.mlive.com

Craig Reynolds got his long-awaited shot off the practice squad late in the year. Reynolds ran for 83 yards in his debut, then went off for 112 yards while carrying the ball 26 times. He was the top-rated running back from Pro Football Focus for both performances. Reynolds impressed while forcing 10 missed tackles through those two games leading the charge. He added 213 of his 230 rushing yards after contact per PFF.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Amon-Ra St. Brown sneaks into PFF's top 25 wide receivers of 2021

Lions rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown sneaks into PFF’s top 25 wide receivers of 2021

lionswire.usatoday.com

After just 39 catches in the first 11 games, St. Brown exploded with 51 in the final six, catching at least eight in every game. PFF noted the Lions’ fourth-rounder blew away nearly all the competition in his thunderous finish to his first NFL season,

St. Brown went from fourth-round pick to a top-25 wide receiver in one year. Over the last six weeks of the regular season, he ranked third in PFF grade at the position — behind only Cooper Kupp and Davante Adams. While he may not have been beating press-man coverage on the outside, St. Brown did an excellent job finding soft spots in zone from the slot. He also didn’t drop a pass from Week 3 onward and caught half of his contested opportunities.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Report: Lions to rollover just over $1 million towards 2022 salary cap

Strapped for cap space in 2021, the Lions can’t roll much over to 2022.

www.prideofdetroit.com

• Currently, the Lions have 48 players under contract for the 2022 season. However, 10 of them are on reserve/futures contracts that do not count against the salary cap until the new year begins in mid-March.
• The total cap hit of the 38 players whose contracts count against the cap is around $166.2 million.
• They are also carrying a bit over $8.1 in dead cap.
• $209.3 minus $166.2 minus $8.1, leaves the Lions with around $35 million in available space.

BB_72: Let's not forget to subtract 8M for IR and another 2.5M for Practice Squad Players off that alleged available cap space that all these media guys seem to miss or not account for that's needed and NO, it's not a case of we'll figure that part out when it's time for roster cut down to the Final 53.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

lock'em up to contract extensions
Fox
Daly
Patterson

Detroit Lions special teams land at No. 7 in Rick Gosselin’s 2021 rankings

Congrats to special teams coordinator Dave Fipp on keeping the Lions in the top-10

www.prideofdetroit.com

Rick Gosselin has covered the NFL for nearly a half-century and is universally considered the guru of special teams. Each year, he publishes his Special Teams Rankings, which factors in 22 different categories and results in a numbered grade.

Based on Gosselin’s rankings system for 2021, the Lions, led by Fipp, finished with the seventh-best special teams unit. This is the second year in a row they finished in the top 10 (they were third in 2020), despite a full-blown coaching staff overhaul.

Fipp is also no stranger to finishing in the top 10 on Gosselin’s rankings. During his eight seasons with the Eagles before joining the Lions, he earned a top-10 finish in three of those seasons, finishing No. 1 in 2014, No. 2 in 2015, and No. 1 again in 2016. In four years that followed those incredible finishes, the Eagles special teams dropped to 13, 14, 15, and 17, respectively.

Many Eagles beat writers attributed the drop in Gosselin’s rankings due to a depleted roster and lack of effort from players, as opposed to Fipp not living up to previous expectations. A return to the top 10 in Detroit is a strong indicator that the Eagles beat was correct, and Fipp is still among the best special teams coordinators in the NFL.