This is The Gridiron Review’s Detroit Lions 2023 Offseason Team Breakdown. We provide you with all things you need to know about the Lions heading into FA and the draft. We also provide our thoughts on the needs of the team and how we think they can be addressed!
Detroit Lions 2022 Record: 9-8
Detroit Lions Salary Cap(According to Spotrac): $15,924,119
Notable Free Agents(According to Spotrac):
- Jamaal Williams, RB
- Justin Jackson, RB
- DJ Chark, WR
- Brock Wright, TE
- Dan Skipper, OL
- John Cominsky, DL
- Alex Anzalone, LB
- Jarrad Davis, LB
- Mike Hughes, CB
- Amani Oruwariye, CB
- Deshon Elliott, S
- Will Harris, S/NB
Team Needs: WR, TE, DT, LB, CB
3 Free Agent Targets(In No Order):
- Dalton Schultz, TE
- Deion Jones, LB
- CJ Gardner-Johnson, NB
Detroit Lions First Round Pick(s): Picks 6 (From Rams for Stafford) & 18
3 Draft Prospect Fits/Targets:
- Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
- Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson
- Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
Our Lions Ideal Offseason Plans/Thoughts:
- The Lions HAVE to prioritize bringing back Jamaal Williams first and foremost. Williams has been absolutely phenomenal for the Lions rushing for over 1,000 yards this season and leading the NFL in rushing TDs at 17. Not to mention he may be the biggest fan favorite in all of Detroit (if not the NFL). This is not saying that they need to trade Swift. Swift brings a completely different skill set than Williams, and should be healthy for the start of camp. When healthy, Swift and Williams are one of the best RB duos in the NFL.
- The Lions should add to the WR room. Obviously they have their guy in Amon-Ra St. Brown, and JaMo should be 100% by next season, but your next in line is Josh Reynolds or Quintez Cephus. It doesn’t even have to be a first round receiver, but they should add another to the room to at least compete. It very well could be Chark returning to the Lions, but that will more than likely depend on his asking price.
- The Lions need a TE, they can’t ignore it. Goff needs a reliable, big body across the middle of the field. Brock Wright did well after Hock was traded. There’s nothing against him, but he could be upgraded and Wright would be a really solid TE2. Dalton Schultz is, without a doubt, the perfect fit TE in Detroit’s run first offense. Detroit also has decent cap space and should be able to make a solid offer to him. If they don’t want to pay big money to a TE in FA, look for Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer to be on the Lions draft board at pick 18. Mayer is a player that we’ve compared to Jason Witten.
- The Lions need help on the interior of their defensive line. Alim McNeill had a really good second year and should continue to anchor the interior. Levi Onwuzurike, a 2021 second round pick, missed all of this season. It’s possible he comes back next year and solidifies this position, but they should not depend solely on that. Michael Brockers just got released. Isaiah Buggs played significant snaps, but is set to be a FA. Detroit should have Clemson’s Bryan Bresee on their board. Bresee has a different skill set than what’s currently in the Lion’s defensive tackle room, and should complete the Lions defensive line.
- The Lions LB room has two solid young pieces in Derrick Barnes and Malcolm Rodriguez, but are lacking a true veteran presence. Anzalone has been solid for the Lions, but he definitely could be upgraded. If he is not brought back, Deion Jones could be an option for the Lions.
- The Lions DB room needs some help. The safeties aren’t bad, but the cornerbacks have been their Achilles heel since they traded Slay to Philly. Okudah had an up-and-down season, Amani Oruwariye who is a year removed from being 3rd in the league in interceptions seems to have just disappeared off the face of the planet. Look for the Lions to have Illinois’ CB Devon Witherspoon on their board at 6. Witherspoon is a super strong man coverage player who may remind former Saints DB coach, Aaron Glenn, of Marshon Lattimore. Speaking of Coach Glenn, don’t be surprised if the Lions make a push for FA NB CJ Gardner-Johnson