Detroit Lions: 4 pass rushers to consider acquiring
By Bob Heyrman
After what many consider to be a strong, successful draft by the Detroit Lions, General Manager Bob Quinn still has options to strengthen the roster leading up to the start of the offseason workouts, training camp, and preseason whenever that takes place.
It’s been anything but a routine offseason for the Detroit Lions, NFL, and all of the sports in general. Heck, in all aspects of life, if we’re candid. We fully expect to see NFL football in 2020, but in what capacity? Perhaps a shortened regular season? Maybe an abbreviated offseason, short preseason, and shortened regular season, but we all continue to maintain hope that the NFL will be playing football in 2020 at some point. Whenever that “some point” is, it will be a welcoming sight.
The Detroit Lions enjoyed a great draft, especially the top end, you know, the part of any draft that matters the most. Teams are always looking for that diamond in the rough throughout the later rounds of the draft, but don’t kid yourself; organizations get the foundation of their franchises in the first round or two of the draft.
Despite being able to trade back in the first round, Quinn still aced the first three rounds of the draft. Jeff Okudah is a plug-and-play talent, a shutdown corner that will serve as the team’s top corner on day one. Desmond Trufant remains an above-average defender and will match up nicely against any teams number two pass-catcher.
Quinn then shocked many folks by drafting the teams’ next franchise-type running back in D’Andre Swift. He will pair nicely in the backfield with Kerryon Johnson and Bo Scarborough this season. Many expected the second-round pick to be an edge rusher, but taking the running back may prove to be a brilliant move, notably after Quinn secured Julian Okwara at the beginning of the third round. Okwara, the brother to Lions defensive end Romeo brings double-digit sack potential coming off the edge for Detroit.
Detroit went on to double up on the guard position, identifying a weakness and trying to plug starters in on the interior part of their offensive line. Detroit drafted Jonah Jackson from Ohio State and Logan Stenberg way of Kentucky in back to back rounds.
That’s five potential starters picked in the first four rounds of the draft that solidifies an incredible top half of the draft for the Detroit Lions. I’d still like to see the Detroit Lions add an edge rusher this offseason and there are a handful of options available, let’s take a look at who the team should consider acquiring. Notable cheaper depth options not listed include Ziggy Ansah, Jabaal Sheard & Pernell McPhee.