Detroit Lions Bolster Defensive Line in Free Agency with Two Signings
By Zac Snyder
The Detroit Lions have reportedly found help in the defensive line by agreeing to deals with Cornelius Washington and Akeem Spence.
The Detroit Lions have made an obvious attempt to improve the offensive line by agreeing to terms with right tackle Ricky Wagner and also pursuing right guard T.J. Lang. The Lions also have a need on the defensive line at both end and tackle, two areas they address early in free agency.
One signing early in free agency is defensive end Cornelius Washington, who comes over from the Chicago Bears.
Former #Bears DE Cornelius Washington is expected to sign with the #Lions, source said.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 9, 2017
Washington comes to the Lions on a two-year, $6 million deal with the opportunity to earn more with incentives. The size of the deal suggests the Lions may not be counting on Washington to step into the starting role held by Devin Taylor last season, but he will surely get a shot considering it appears unlikely Taylor will be returning to the team.
The Lions also added defensive tackle Akeem Spence, formerly of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
DT Akeem Spence to the Lions. Three years, $10.5m
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 9, 2017
Spence was rated as one of the worst interior defenders in the NFL last season by Pro Football Focus. However, his pass rush grade was better than his grade against the run. If there is a dimension the Lions need most from a defensive tackle it is the ability to generate some pressure.
While these moves give the Lions some additional options, neither should prevent them from considering defensive line prospects early in the 2017 NFL Draft.