Detroit Lions: 3 free agents to sign considering limited offseason
By Bob Heyrman
Edge: Jabaal Sheard
This signing would be a perfect one-year fit for the Detroit Lions when you consider it’s a limited offseason program. Jabaal Sheard is familiar with head coach Matt Patricia’s defensive scheme, as he is, you guessed it, a former New England Patriot.
Sheard started in nine games during his two-year stint in New England but proved he was a productive rotational edge rusher for the Patriots.
It’s a position I feel the Detroit Lions still need to address. Detroit signed Jamie Collins to replace Devon Kennard after the organization decided to part ways with one of their captains. Detroit also drafted the Notre Dame product Julian Okwara who is the brother of current Lions defensive end, Romeo.
After those two players, it’s a position that quickly thins out. The backups are Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Christian Jones, Elijah Lee, and perhaps second-year player Austin Bryant.
Detroit needs to focus on its pass-rush, and the organization needs to add more depth at that position. Okwara may find himself slow out of the gate due to the lack of offseason programs, adding a player like Sheard to be a rotational edge-rusher who is not precisely a highly-touted defender could be one of those under the radar moves that pay off.
Sheard spent the last three seasons in Indianapolis, where he started 44 games and recorded 15.5 sacks. He’d likely be willing to sign a one-year deal somewhere in the neighborhood of $6-million, it’s a low-risk, cheap agreement that can benefit both the team and player.