Detroit Lions: 3 positions that could still use some upgrading
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Lions would be wise to sure-up their secondary by adding another veteran cornerback to mix in with rookie Jeff Okudah and second-year corner Amani Oruwariye.
Last season it was a secondary that yielded nearly 24 completions per game, which ranked them 27th in the NFL. The Detroit Lions also allowed 284.4 passing yards against per game, and that ranked as the leagues worst.
The Lions also allowed over two touchdowns through the air per game, and that was nearly the worst in football as well also ranking 27th.
This offseason, the Detroit Lions traded disgruntled cornerback Darius Slay to the Philadelphia Eagles and replaced him by drafting Ohio State standout Jeff Okudah with the third overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Slay remains one of the league’s top players at his position, but last season he turned in one of the worst efforts of his career. Slay opted to hold out last summer in hopes of striking a long-term contract extension or a trade out of town. Neither came and finally, the All-Pro corner joined his team.
Slay made it known after the season that he and head coach Patricia failed to see eye-to-eye and once again expressed his desire to be traded. Detroit remained reluctant until they signed free agent Desmond Trufant.
Trufant, a former first-round pick, found himself available after the Atlanta Falcons needed to clear some salary space. Trufant signed a team-friendly two year deal in Detroit and will start opposite rookie Jeff Okudah.
The Lions also paid a hefty price a year ago to acquire slot corner specialist Justin Coleman. Coleman struggled after being asked to play outside due to various injuries to the Lions depth chart. He’s most effective working inside against the short, quick, and intermediate routes. Coleman had been torched when he had been forced to cover the bigger outside style receivers down the field.
Detroit is hoping Oruwariye emerges in 2020 as a depth corner that can work outside in sub-packages that include multiple defensive backs or if an injury occurs. After Oruwariye, the talent quickly thins. The Lions signed free agent Darryl Roberts from the New York Jets, he’s a nice player and may prove to be a valuable asset coming in off of the bench. The Lions also roster Mike Ford, who appears to be a capable player but not someone the organization should be forced to rely on when better veteran options remain available.
The Detroit Lions should consider bringing in former Michigan State star, Darqueze Dennard, or even Dre Kirkpatrick. Other notable names that remain available are former Patriot Logan Ryan, along with Trumaine Johnson and Aqib Talib.