Detroit Lions: Ten Free Agents to target this offseason
By Bob Heyrman
CB Logan Ryan
Logan Ryan is a former New England Patriots’ draft choice who spent his first four seasons in the organization. Ryan was selected with the 83rd pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Ryan is a 29-year old corner hitting the open market next week.
Ryan has called Tennessee home over the last three years, posting respectable numbers. Last season according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Ryan earned himself a 64.9 grade. Nothing that will wow you, but not a horrible marker. He notched 4 interceptions last season.
He was targeted a whopping 114 times in the passing game yielding 80 catches totaling a 70% completion rate when targeted, the worst of his career. Was that a fluke?. Or did he see a higher volume of targets due to the fact Tennessee also trotted out Adoree Jackson and another former Patriot Malcolm Butler? Someone needs to be targeted; perhaps it was Ryan by default.
A couple of positive things to acknowledge; if the Detroit Lions were to sign Ryan, it wouldn’t be to replace Darius Slay. He’d be here to mentor Jeffrey Okudah if Detroit decided to draft the product from Ohio State. If they don’t select Okudah, he can help the second-year pro Amani Oruwariye continue to develop as the two compete for the teams’ starting right corner position.
Ryan knows the Matt Patricia defensive scheme, limiting the offseason learning curve. At the very worst, Ryan can come off the bench as the Lions’ depth corner, and often used in a ‘dime’ package, which is a defensive back heavy package in passing situations.
Last season Ryan accumulated career-highs with 83 tackles, 13 total pressures, 3 forced fumbles, and 4 sacks. Not bad for a cornerback coming off the edge. He also allowed 940 yards and 6 touchdowns, which were also career highs.