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As the Detroit Lions look to improve/reshape their defense this offseason, these roster decisions should be easy.
The Detroit Lions are in a pretty good position heading into the offseason. With two first-round picks and enough cap space ($23.6 million; 13th most in the league according to Over The Cap) to make additions, a solid jump from last year’s 3-13-1 mark in Dan Campbell’s first season as head coach is possible in 2022.
Pro Football Focus did an accounting of each team’s offseason position (h/t to Heavy.com), combining salary cap room, draft capital etc. The Lions came in sixth, as in sixth-best.
The Lions defense had some productive players in 2021, but overall the unit’s results weren’t good (31st in points allowed, 24th against the pass, 28th against the run, 29th in total yards allowed). All three levels could use reinforcements this offseason. But the overall struggles in 2021 haven’t stopped defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant getting looks for jobs around the league.
The Lions have some decisions to make this offseason, and in a broad sense finding ways to bolster and reshape the defense might be the most critical to the team taking a notable next step next season. Simply having a middle of the pack unit in the league, that’s good situationally and creates takeaways to set up the offense, stands to bring a lot more wins in 2022.
On that note, here are four easy roster decisions the Lions have for their defense this offseason.