2022 Lions Off-Season Thread

[Gulf of Brazil]

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

HC Campbell appears to come across as somewhat non-committal in his response as he should be - I'm reading the "tea leaves"

Jeff Okudah will remain at CB, should be ready for training camp

Coach Dan Campbell sees Okudah staying at CB but did leave the door open for a move if it’s not working out

lionswire.usatoday.com

As for the speculation that Okudah could move to safety from cornerback, Campbell was direct.

“Right now, we see him as corner,” Campbell said. “But there again, a lot of this will be as we continue to discuss and depending on who we add or how we add, you never know. We’re constantly talking about our personnel and what’s best for them moving forward. What’s best for us?”

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Lions free agent profiles: Retaining Evan Brown may be tough

The Lions backup center was a pleasant surprise in 2021, but he may have played his way out of Detroit.

www.prideofdetroit.com

Brown came in and held his own, despite not starting a single game before the 2021 season. Throughout the entire season, PFF credited him with just one sack allowed and eight pressures. His pass blocking grade of 72.4 was seventh-best in the league, and he finished the season with ESPN’s ninth-best pass block win rate among centers.

He was less effective as a run blocker, and that stood out a lot in short-yardage situations and the red zone

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

I would consider tendering Lions back-up C, Evan Brown, as 2nd round tender.

There are approximately (3) 2022 prospects at Center position currently ranked in top 150 - Linderbaum inside top 25 and the other two are outside of top 75.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Super Bowl-winning Rams give credit to Lions GM Brad Holmes: ‘You’re a part of this’

Brad Holmes spent nearly two decades helping the Rams build their eventual Super Bowl team.

www.prideofdetroit.com

There’s a certain amount of ownership Holmes should feel, too. As the director of college scouting for the previous eight years, he oversaw the drafting of several players who were instrumental to Los Angeles’ Super Bowl run: Aaron Donald, Tyler Higbee, Cooper Kupp, David Edwards, and Jordan Fuller, to name a few.

So when Holmes congratulated some of his former co-workers, he was touched to have them respond that he deserves some of the credit, too.

“Sending a bunch of congratulatory texts to all the guys back there saying, ‘I’m so happy for you guys,’ and to get the responses of saying, ‘Hey look, man, you’re a part of this. You’re a part of this,’” Holmes said. “They didn’t have to say that, but that was really cool for them to say. It makes you feel good.”

 

[Old Lion]

Pick up Hockenson's 5th year option but wait until after the 2022 regular season before thinking about giving him an extension. The 5th year option can no longer be rescinded as Bobby Quinn did to Eric Ebron.

Should Goff fail this year then I see no reason to extend Hockenson and not even with an expected much larger Cap coming in 2023 as that's when the new tv contract comes into play. 110 billion for 11 years beginning 2023 and ending 2033.

T.J. Hockenson fifth-year option: Exercise, decline or offer an extension?

A deep look at whether the Lions should exercise Hockenson’s fifth-year option or not.

www.prideofdetroit.com

Here’s a look at the most productive tight ends since Hockenson entered the league (2019-2021):

1. Travis Kelce: 294 catches, 3,770 yards, 25 TDs
2. Darren Waller: 252 catches, 3,006 yards, 14 TDs
3. Mark Andrews: 229 catches, 2,914 yards, 26 TDs
4. George Kittle: 204 catches, 2,597 yards, 13 TDs
5. Mike Gesicki: 177 catches, 2,053 yards, 13 TDs
6. Zach Ertz: 198 catches, 2,014 yards, 12 TDs
7. Dallas Goedert: 160 catches, 1,961 yards, 12 TDs
8. Noah Fant: 170 catches, 1,905 yards, 10 TDs
9. Hunter Henry: 165 catches, 1,868 yards, 18 TDs
10. Tyler Higbee: 174 catches, 1,815 yards, 13 TDs
11. Jared Cook: 128 catches, 1,773 yards, 20 TDs
12. T.J. Hockenson: 160 catches, 1,673 yards, 12 TDs

The other part of Hockenson’s game—his blocking—also needs to be considered. He was hailed as someone capable of doing both, especially coming from a pro-style offense at Iowa. Unfortunately, Hockenson hasn’t been a dominant blocker at the next level at this point in his career. Here’s a look at his PFF blocking grades each year and where it ranks among qualifying TEs (minimum 20% of snaps):

2019:

• 35.2 pass blocking grade (76/78)
• 60.8 run blocking grade (28/78)

2020:

• 50.9 pass blocking grade (61/81)
• 70.9 run blocking grade (14/81)

2021:

• 65.4 pass blocking grade (40/85)
• 45.1 run blocking grade (81/85)

Last year, there were two big-time extensions given to tight ends:

Dallas Goedert: Four years, $57 million ($14.25M/year)
Mark Andrews: Four years, $56 million ($14M/year)

I disagree. Hockenson has been the main focus of defenses since we have shit for a receiving core. Resign him before we bring in talented WRs and he has a monster season.

 

[Old Lion]

What happens to Trey Flowers now that Campbell/Glenn will be using more 4-man fronts and does Charles Harris fit this scheme using more 4-man fronts? Obviously, as stated in that tweet or more so in the article, they'll still be using some 3-4 fronts.

With this change, will we be looking more for 4-3 Edge type player than say the 3-4OLB/Edge player?

Hopefully we trade him.

 

[Old Lion]

4. Campbell said getting a No. 1-caliber receiver on the outside will really help the efficiency of the Lions' offense moving forward. Campbell made it pretty clear adding an outside receiver is one thing they want to accomplish this offseason, whether that's through free agency, the draft or both.

Amari Cooper is available. I dont particularly like the guy but I know a lot of folks do. I also dont want to spend a whole lot of money in FA.

 

[Old Lion]

HC Campbell appears to come across as somewhat non-committal in his response as he should be - I'm reading the "tea leaves"

Jeff Okudah will remain at CB, should be ready for training camp

Coach Dan Campbell sees Okudah staying at CB but did leave the door open for a move if it’s not working out

lionswire.usatoday.com

As for the speculation that Okudah could move to safety from cornerback, Campbell was direct.

“Right now, we see him as corner,” Campbell said. “But there again, a lot of this will be as we continue to discuss and depending on who we add or how we add, you never know. We’re constantly talking about our personnel and what’s best for them moving forward. What’s best for us?”

We may not have a choice depending how the chips fall in FA and the draft.

 

[Old Lion]

Lions free agent profiles: Retaining Evan Brown may be tough

The Lions backup center was a pleasant surprise in 2021, but he may have played his way out of Detroit.

www.prideofdetroit.com

Brown came in and held his own, despite not starting a single game before the 2021 season. Throughout the entire season, PFF credited him with just one sack allowed and eight pressures. His pass blocking grade of 72.4 was seventh-best in the league, and he finished the season with ESPN’s ninth-best pass block win rate among centers.

He was less effective as a run blocker, and that stood out a lot in short-yardage situations and the red zone

He is a better fit with teams that throw first on offense.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Amari Cooper is available. I dont particularly like the guy but I know a lot of folks do. I also dont want to spend a whole lot of money in FA.

I sure as hell hope not

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Resign him before we bring in talented WRs and he has a monster season.

For me only, no TE, not even Hockenson, is worth 15M avg per year. He's a fuckin over-drafted TE. I like him as a player but not for that kind of money. He's not all that good at in-line blocking and his pass blocking is still shaky after 3 years in the league. He's not Kelce. He's not Kittle. You don't have "The QB" as of now to spend that kind of money.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

He is a better fit with teams that throw first on offense.

True. His run blocking is suspect, but it was year one at getting lots of reps as a starter.

2nd round tender is a huge gamble and risk.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Hopefully we trade him.

He still played many a snaps at strongside/weakside DE 6/7- tech when they did align in 4-man fronts after Paul P left.

 

[Edonidd]

For me only, no TE, not even Hockenson, is worth 15M avg per year. He's a fuckin over-drafted TE. I like him as a player but not for that kind of money. He's not all that good at in-line blocking and his pass blocking is still shaky after 3 years in the league. He's not Kelce. He's not Kittle. You don't have "The QB" as of now to spend that kind of money.

It depends, at least in my view of team building. IMO a QB's mindset and development as a young QB has more to do with his career than just about any other indicator. There are obviously outliers to everything, but if I had a young QB I would be willing to spend just about anything in order to put him in a position to have success. And a good pass catching TE is a young QB's best friend. You can't have studs at every position obviously, but if we're going to try and groom a young QB in the near future I would love Hockenson, a good pair of Tackles, and bring in seasoned FA WR's. If they plan on sticking with Goff or bringing in other veteran QB and trying to make due, then you'd be right that they're wasting money on an expensive TE.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Free agency preview: 5 interior DL the Lions should consider

The Lions need both talent and depth in the middle of their defense. Who should they consider?

www.prideofdetroit.com

Free agency preview: 5 offensive linemen the Lions should consider

A look at some depth and starter options for the Lions’ offensive line.

www.prideofdetroit.com

2022 NFL free agency preview: 5 tight ends the Lions should consider

The Lions could use some tight end depth. Who’s on the market?

www.prideofdetroit.com

Free agency preview: 5 wide receivers the Lions should consider

Here’s where the Lions can spend that money

www.prideofdetroit.com

Free agency preview: 5 running backs the Lions should consider

Are the Lions as set as we think at running back?

www.prideofdetroit.com

 

[Old Lion]

Free agency preview: 5 interior DL the Lions should consider

The Lions need both talent and depth in the middle of their defense. Who should they consider?

www.prideofdetroit.com

Free agency preview: 5 offensive linemen the Lions should consider

A look at some depth and starter options for the Lions’ offensive line.

www.prideofdetroit.com

2022 NFL free agency preview: 5 tight ends the Lions should consider

The Lions could use some tight end depth. Who’s on the market?

www.prideofdetroit.com

Free agency preview: 5 wide receivers the Lions should consider

Here’s where the Lions can spend that money

www.prideofdetroit.com

Free agency preview: 5 running backs the Lions should consider

Are the Lions as set as we think at running back?

www.prideofdetroit.com

I will keep it short by only looking for guys we can afford.

DJ SHark stands out to me (Also resign Reynolds). Also the last 2 DTs. Not looking to go crazy in FA.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

I will keep it short by only looking for guys we can afford.

I'm hoping for the same.

 

[Mebert]

Rumor says they are looking to sign one of the top WR available. I am not sure it is a great idea, but if we are going to spend it is the biggest need.