Lions: Three free agents from the New England Patriots to sign
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Lions have plenty of issues throughout their defense and should look no further than the New England Patriots to help fill the void.
I’m not typically excited to continually write about the similarities between the Detroit Lions and the New England Patriots because one team consistently makes the playoffs, wins Super Bowl’s while the other struggles to get out of their own way. The only similarities between these two teams are a host of depth players and the fact that Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia joined Detroit via New England.
With the current staff in place, it makes sense to dip into the Patriots’ well hoping to land a free agent or two that are very familiar with the defensive scheme. The Lions struggled mightily on defense, they need help at every level of their defense and the Patriots who produced one of the better seasons in the history of the league on that side of the ball have plenty of players who are expected to hit free agency.
The Detroit Lions have secured the third pick in the upcoming NFL draft. A notable problem with the NFL is the offseason schedule. Why doesn’t the NFL draft take place before the opening of free agency?
In most leagues, the draft takes place just before the free agency period opens. It would help teams secure positional needs in free agency because positions/players teams expect to target in the draft may not be available.
Let me explain.
Last season the Lions signed tight end Jesse James before the NFL draft. They clearly had their sights set on T.J. Hockenson, but he potentially could have been selected before Detroit picked. If Detroit didn’t sign James, who admittedly hasn’t panned out, they risk not ending up with either leaving Detroit with another season of Luke Willson and Logan Thomas.
As you are about to find out, the primary focus of this article revolves around upgrading the defense. If the Lions ill-advisingly allow Graham Glasgow to walk, guard Joe Thuny is a player to target in free agency.
Here are three pending New England Patriots free agents the Detroit Lions need to sign this offseason.