The 2023 season has just ended, and on March 13, the 2024 campaign will open its doors. DNA of Sports therefore takes this opportunity to offer you an overview of the different franchises during the offseason. Which players to keep and cut? Which free agents to extend? Which recruits to observe? Here are some ideas, franchise by franchise. In the spotlight today, the Detroit Lions. You will find the files for each team on this page.
So close to the goal but at the same time so far. This is in a few words the best way to summarize the Lions season, both full of promise but still imperfect. The results remain very good. For the first time in six seasons, the Lions went to the playoffs! And not just to make up the numbers. They won their first victory there in 32 years! Dan Campbell's men managed to sneak into the NFC conference final, before unfortunately failing at the gates of the Super Bowl.
The Lions can blame themselves for having so closely missed the opportunity to offer themselves their first Lombardy. Opportunities like this are rare. But nothing is impossible under the leadership of Dan Campbell. The coach was able to prove it throughout the season.
The Lions are still a young group, which must gain experience and strengthen themselves in places. But all the right ingredients seem to come together to attempt the feat again next year. With a particularly effective attack, it is the defense and more precisely the pass coverage that will have to be perfected if Detroit wants to compete with the big boys again.
The captains
- Jared Goff (QB)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR)
- Aidan Hutchinson (DE)
This year, no doubt, the Detroit attack was the big revelation. Third best squad in yards per game during the regular season, the Lions are efficient in both passing and running. For this first part, Jared Goff was able to reassuringly lead his team with 4,575 passing yards and 30 touchdowns.
Well supported by Amon-Ra St. Brown who is increasingly establishing himself as the flagship receiver of this Lions team, the attack does not tremble as it approaches the goal. Detroit is the third best team when it comes to scoring a touchdown inside the opponent's 20 yards. We will not forget to mention an excellent Sam LaPorta at the tight end position and a running game carried by the shock duo David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.
On the defense side, everything is not to be thrown away. Young Aidan Hutchison has become one of the undisputed leaders of this part of the team. The defensive end has recorded 11.5 sacks and continues to terrify opposing lines since entering the league in 2022.
The undesirables
- Josh Reynolds (WR)
- Halapoulivaati Vaitai (OL)
- Ceedy Duce (CB)
There are not many undesirables in Detroit. But Josh Reynolds has to be one of them because of his disappointing performance in the playoffs. Reliable target for Jared Goff with 40 receptions for 608 yards and 5 touchdowns in the regular season, Reynolds will unfortunately leave a bad image to fans of the franchise after his big misses in the NFC final. He dropped three balls in the duel against the 49ers, including one critical out of 4th attempt in the third quarter.
Halapoulivaati Vaitai has never been in good form since his first day in the Motor City. The veteran offensive lineman did not play a single snap in 2022 and took the field on just six occasions in 2023. Far too few compared to expectations. A free agent this offseason, it is difficult to see the Lions renewing him.
Ceedy Duce has pretty much the same problems. Injured a lot this season, we saw very little of him on the field. And during his last performance, during the NFC final, he crashed against Deebo Samuel. A free agent too, he should leave for other horizons.
The summer man
Jared Goff (QB)
Who else but Jared Goff? He was thought to be finished after his team trade with Matthew Stafford. But the first choice of the 2016 draft masters his subject and was on the verge of reaching the roof of the world with the Lions!
So, we will definitely have to watch the 29-year-old quarterback this summer. Today, he ranks among the best passers in the league and has shown great consistency since entering the NFL. He can count on a young group of efficient and constantly improving receivers and an offensive line that has been able to get the job done throughout the season.
The main free agents
- Romeo Okwara (DE)
- Tracy Walker (FS)
- Charles Harris (DE)
- J. Gardner-Johnson (S)
- Teddy Bridgewater (QB, retired)
Others : Emmanuel Moseley (CB), Halapoulivaati Vaitai (OL), Josh Reynolds (WR), Graham Glasgow (OL), Will Harris (S), Jalen Reeves-Maybin (OLB), Nate Sudfeld (QB), Matt Nelson (OL), Julian Okwara (LB), Jonah Jackson (OL), Jake McQuaide (LS), Craig Reynolds (RB), Kindle Vildor (CB), Scott Daly (LS), Anthony Pittman (LB), Benito Jones (DT), Shane Zylstra (TE), Brock Wright (TE), Donovan Peoples-Jones (WR), Khalil Dorsey (CB), Zonovan Knight (RB), Jerry Jacobs (CB), James Houston (OLB).
The list is long ! There is no shortage of free agents on the Detroit side. Fortunately, there are few indisputable holders to deplore. But all the same, many understudies are reaching the end of their contracts.
For example, Romeo Okwara, who fits well in the rotation with Aidan Hutchinson to bring pressure on the defensive line. But does he still deserve a new contract which risks weighing on Detroit's payroll?
The big question of the offseason will undoubtedly be the extension (or not) of Gardner-Johnson. Sometimes criticized, the safety has established himself as a leader in the Lions defense. It might be worth keeping it. It remains to be seen whether the two parties will be able to agree on the price.
Finally, it is also the understudy of choice Teddy Bridgewater who officially bids farewell to the NFL. The quarterback agreed to coach a high school team, making his coaching debut. But we will have to find a replacement to line up behind Goff.
The top 5 needs
- Cornerback
- Kicker
- Offensive line
- Edge
- Recipient
Is there really a need to say more? The number one priority for the Lions this offseason has to be pass coverage. And the biggest flaw of the 2023 campaign is the cornerbacks. Throughout the season, Dan Campbell struggled to find the solution to this position. Cam Sutton, Jerry Jacobs, Will Harris, Khalil Dorsey and Kindle Vildor all suffered without ever managing to perform. Change is needed.
All season, Detroit has been without a trusted kicker. Riley Patterson started as a starter before being quickly replaced by Michael Badgley. Correct, however, the latter was not used much, particularly during the second half of the NFC final, where we saw Dan Campbell rely instead on his attack. He could be put into competition this summer with a young recruit.
The offensive line and more particularly the guard position will be one to watch. With Graham Glasgow, Jonah Jackson and Halapoulivaati Vaitai all becoming free agents, other names will certainly need to be found to keep the line at a good level.
It may not be the priority but adding a good edge rusher to complement the presence of Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill would be an interesting option.
And finally, for the same reasons mentioned for the edge rushers, the receiving corps will lose its depth during this offseason with Josh Reynolds, Antoine Green and Donovan Peoples-Jones all free agents.
Target
Nick Allegretti (OL)
With a potential deficit of starters at the guard position, it is important to complete the offensive line as quickly as possible. Who better than free agent Nick Allegretti, freshly won the Super Bowl, to further strengthen the protection of Jared Goff?
Allegretti has never been an indisputable starter but he has proven himself and was able to be decisive on numerous occasions to keep his team afloat. Even if the line will not be closely scrutinized during the offseason in Detroit, according to general manager Brad Holmes, Allegretti is a good option and not necessarily very expensive.
New blood
Kamari Lassiter (CB, Georgia)
Leader of Georgia's defense, Kamari Lassiter is not the most physical cornerback, nor the fastest. However, his vision allows him to always be in a good position and never find himself out of the game. He embodies an important value for this position: consistency. And that’s what the Lions are sorely lacking. It remains to be hoped that the young player will still be available at 29th draft pick.
Other choices: Terrion Arnold (CB, Alabama) and Bralen Trice (Edge)
