Detroit Lions: Ten Free Agents to target this offseason

OLB Cory Littleton

It’s incredible to see these stories develop before our very eyes.  Cory Littleton was an undrafted linebacker that carved out a career for himself, excelling on special teams, eventually earning himself a starting linebacking role with the L.A Rams, ultimately leading the team with tackles.

Again, Littleton isn’t the ‘perfect’ Matt Patricia prototype at the linebacker position, but Littleton is much too talented to pass up.

Littleton stands 6’3 but only carries a modest 230 pounds.  He doesn’t hit like a sledgehammer but does provide something the Detroit Lions desperately need, a pass-rushing threat coming off the edge.

Last season Littleton recorded 4 sacks, which tied a career-high to go with his 134 tackles and 12 hurries.  Littleton is a two-year starter that excelled last season.  The Detroit Lions coaching staff will salivate over the fact Littleton missed just one tackle last season – one.  That is quite remarkable.

Littleton will draw plenty of interest on the open market, landing in Detroit would be a surprise, but his skill-set shouldn’t be overlooked.  Earned a 78.9 grade (PPF), that included a stellar 77.3 pass-rush mark, along with an 82.3 pass-coverage grade.

Those two areas are two that the Detroit Lions need to vastly improve on immediately.  Littleton is an every-down backer that had success covering both tight ends and backs flaring out of the backfield.  He’d be a perfect solution to corral the two talented NFC North backs, Aaron Jones and Dalvin Cook.  He’d be a significant upgrade to Christian Jones and Devon Kennard for that matter.