Lions 2021 off-season FA. Something for nothing or nothing at all ?

[Gulf of Brazil]

In the above situation, the nose tackle is not on the field in favor of the fourth linebacker. There will be occasions that the Lions want to keep three down linemen and Anzalone on the field, in which case, the Julian Okwara spot (WILL) would be removed and the down linemen redistributed.

There are, of course, loads of variants in how the Lions will set up their front-six/seven. Some of the players are interchangeable at a few different spots, but Anzalone will most likely be in an off-the-ball role and used in coverage when he is on the field.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

former USA-Today Lions-Wire Erick Schlitt has joined the pride of Detroit a couple weeks back and has been the one who has provided all the supplemental info on defensive alignments etc.

He's truly provides one of the most in-depth analysis on what teams might align with from off/def perspective.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

If it's a cheap one year prove it deal, I'd be okay with this. Otherwise it's a meh.

Detroit Lions to hold CB Quinton Dunbar on free agency visit - Pride Of Detroit




Quinton Dunbar Stats | Pro-Football-Reference.com (pro-football-reference.com)

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Earlier this week, Lions general manager Brad Holmes noted that the team was still very interested in adding to their thin cornerback group.

“The corner position, I can say it with more than just the corner position, it’s a position that we’ll continue to address now (and) throughout the entire process, up into the draft, and even after the draft if need be. It’s definitely a position that is not going to be overlooked or ignored,” Holmes said.

Dunbar’s fit with the team would be interesting. He’s mostly worked as an outside cornerback, and he could potentially compete with either Jeff Okudah or Amani Oruwariye for a starting job. Meanwhile, the Lions still have no clear starter at the nickel corner spot, and Dunbar doesn’t appear to be the answer there.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Resetting the Lions depth chart after first two weeks of free agency (usatoday.com)

Starters (L-R): Taylor Decker, Jonah Jackson, Frank Ragnow, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Tyrell Crosby

Reserves: Matt Nelson (T), Evan Brown (C), Dan Skipper (T), Logan Stenberg (G/C)

The starting five, if everyone is healthy, is one of the NFL’s better units. Vaitai could wind up kicking back outside to right tackle but that would require bringing in a guard. There is room for a tackle who can also play guard as part of the draft class, as well as a developmental-type of interior lineman.

 

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Detroit Lions hosting free agent CB Corn Elder for a visit - Pride Of Detroit

Elder, a 2017 fifth-round pick by the Carolina Panthers, fought through injuries the first three years of his career, and when he was on the field, he mostly served a special teams role. However, last season Elder stepped up and took on a significant role on the Panthers' defense as their nickel cornerback. Per PFF, Elder logged 302 snaps in the slot last season and earned himself a solid 68.5 PFF grade with three passes defended and a forced fumble.

At 5-foot-10, 185 pounds Elder is on the small side and his athletic scores are poor, but his play spoke for itself last year, and he could be an affordable addition for the Lions.

RASRAS Information (relativeathleticscores.com)

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

 

[Old Lion]

Which is why I believe they will draft a ready to go OT/RT this year (best draft class for OT in quite awhile). Vaitai has no business playing OT. He's a run-blocking OT and not a combo pass-pro/run blocking OT. He has slow feet/slow re-set to anchor to boot.

Crosby is on his last year of rookie contract and if you can upgrade him, you do it. Should they ride the year with Crosby at RT and he regresses from last years play, it could become a regrettable non-move.

Detroit Lions ‘intrigued’ about moving Halapoulivaati Vaitai to guard - Pride Of Detroit

“Until we get our eyes on him and see where we feel like he fits best, it’s hard to just put that in stone, but I will say this—and we’ve talked to him about this—we’re a little intrigued by moving him inside to guard,” Campbell said. “That does intrigue us, and so we may—as a starting point—work there and see where we’re at.”

I want to see him at G too. He is paid too much to be on the bench.

 

[Old Lion]

What the Detroit Lions are getting in LB Alex Anzalone - Pride Of Detroit

Campbell has previously mentioned that the Lions plan to model their defensive front after the Rams’ 2020 scheme while leaning on coverage concepts derived from the Saints scheme.

Last season, the Rams’ deployed four main linebacker roles.

The SAM (basically the same role as the JACK in last year's scheme) is a pass-rushing linebacker who rarely leaves the field. Romeo Okwara seems the likely primary player for this role, but he will be backed up by Austin Bryant, Julian Okwara, and Charles Harris.

The WILL is another pass-rushing linebacker—who lines up on the line of scrimmage opposite the SAM—that has some potential in coverage. Both Okwara brothers should be in the mix here. This is a part-time role and last season the Rams’s used it roughly 50 percent of the time.

The MIKE is a traditional off-the-ball role, that lines up in between the tackles at the second level. Both Collins and Anzalone are ideal fits here, and Reeves-Maybin also seems to fit the mold. This is another position that will remain on the field at all times.

The final linebacker role is a second INSIDE linebacker (called the JACK, but its role is closer to the WILL in the previous scheme) and they line up off the ball next to the MIKE. Collins, Anzalone, Reeves-Maybin, and Shaun Dion Hamilton are the ideal candidates here. Last season, the Rams used this linebacker role between 50-75 percent of snaps.

I would have both Harris AND Okwara on the field in passing downs. Take out Penisini and move Flowers inside with Brockers.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

I want to see him at G too. He is paid too much to be on the bench.

No doubt he's paid too much to sit. I could easily see him being cut next year (about 4M dead - 4M savings in 2022)

I'd expect the FO to seriously consider drafting an OG in this draft.

All the injuries last year and Stenberg couldn't get one snap on the O-Line. He got limited ST snaps only. He was mostly a mauling LG only at Kentucky and it was known his pass-pro wasn't technically sound.

Aboushi and Dahl both gone which leaves the cupboard bare for now. I'd still expect a FA OG picked up somewhere along the line.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

I would have both Harris AND Okwara on the field in passing downs. Take out Penisini and move Flowers inside with Brockers.

Lots of options here with so many to choose from.
Hand, Brockers and Flowers with both Okwara and Harris opposite outside at 7/9 tech
Collins still at Mike
5 DB

we could go on and on with variations to create the most pressure.

I'm expecting and hoping Julian Okwara to step up big this year

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Detroit Lions have 1-in-5 chance of playing in London in 2021 - Pride Of Detroit

Last year, the Detroit Lions just barely avoided playing in London. They were reportedly going to face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars overseas, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused the NFL to postpone the International Series before the schedule was officially announced.

However, the Lions may be headed to Europe this upcoming year. On Thursday, the Atlanta Falcons announced that they would be hosting one of their 2021 home games in London. This is relevant to the Detroit Lions because Detroit is set to face off against the Falcons on the road due to the normal schedule rotation.

In the Falcons’ announcement, they noted that their London opponent hasn’t been announced yet, but it will be a non-divisional opponent. That leaves only five options for the Falcons opponent: the Patriots, Jets, Eagles, Football Team, and the Lions.

 

[Old Lion]

Detroit Lions have 1-in-5 chance of playing in London in 2021 - Pride Of Detroit

Last year, the Detroit Lions just barely avoided playing in London. They were reportedly going to face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars overseas, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused the NFL to postpone the International Series before the schedule was officially announced.

However, the Lions may be headed to Europe this upcoming year. On Thursday, the Atlanta Falcons announced that they would be hosting one of their 2021 home games in London. This is relevant to the Detroit Lions because Detroit is set to face off against the Falcons on the road due to the normal schedule rotation.

In the Falcons’ announcement, they noted that their London opponent hasn’t been announced yet, but it will be a non-divisional opponent. That leaves only five options for the Falcons opponent: the Patriots, Jets, Eagles, Football Team, and the Lions.

Imagine being from England and getting exited about seeing American football and then it was the Lions and Jags. They would be like "this is football?". They definitely dodged a bullet last year.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Report: Free agent safety Will Parks to visit the Detroit Lions - Pride Of Detroit

ESPN’s Field Yates is reporting that former Denver Broncos defensive back Will Parks is visiting the Detroit Lions. No word on if that visit was happening today, but it’s worth noting that free agent cornerback Quinton Dunbar posted on social media that he was in Detroit today for his visit.

Parks was originally drafted by the Broncos in the sixth round (pick 219 overall) of the 2016 draft and spent the first four years of his career as a subpackage defensive back with positional range. During his time in Denver, Parks played in 61 games, starting 15, and averaged 37 tackles and an interception each season.

Parks left Denver for Philadelphia in 2020 but a hamstring injury in camp kept him off the field early and he struggled to maintain any consistency. After six games (three starts), the Eagles released him and he returned to Denver to finish off the final four games of the season.

Parks' versatility is very appealing. During his NFL career, he has lined up at both safety spots, as well as time in the slot, and was a key contributor on special teams.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Will Parks




The difference between Parks time in Denver and Philadelphia is very noticeable. With the Eagles, he averaged 19 snaps a game, produced just a tackle and a half a game, and ended his six games with a grade of 51.7 from PFF. With the Broncos, he averaged 50 snaps a game, four tackles per game, and earned a 61.7 grade from PFF.

For Parks, coaching matters, and the ones that know how to use him properly see the results. Having Aaron Glenn and Aubrey Pleasant on staff surely helps the Lions chances here, should they decide to sign him.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Detroit Lions sign CB Quinton Dunbar to 1-year contract - Pride Of Detroit

Undrafted out of Florida in 2015, Dunbar signed with the Washington Football Team as a wide receiver but quickly switched to cornerback as a rookie. By the time his rookie contract expired, in 2018, he had earned a new three-year contract worth $10.5 million. That season, Dunbar’s first as a starter began on a promising note but ended prematurely due to a shin injury.

In 2019, Dunbar once again earned a starting role and went on to have his most productive season in the NFL, earning a coverage grade of 89.5 from PFF, and an overall grade of 87.6 on the season—the second-best grade for an NFL corner that season.

If Dunbar is able to return to 2019 form and stay healthy in 2021, he has the skill set to start on the outside on the Lions roster. If he struggles or injuries creep up again, the Lions still have solid youth options on the outside with Jeff Okudah and Amani Oruwariye.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

^^^^^

This is another solid investment by the Lions, taking a chance on a previously highly successful player with a low downside, assuming the deal also follows the patterns of the previous deals this offseason.

The Lions still need more bodies in their secondary, but with Okudah, Oruwariye, Dunbar, Ford, and recently signed Corn Elder, they are slowly building a unit with potential.