Detroit Lions Bob Quinn Free Agency Review

A review of the signings of Bob Quinn as the Lions GM:

2016:

Quinn stepped in having to replace Calvin. He signed Marvin Jones to a good deal.  Anquan helped the Lions reach the playoff with 8 touchdown catches. Andre Roberts was a solid return man.

Hits:



Tavon Wilson 56 g 39 st 275 t 3 int
Contract: 2 years $2.2 Mil
Extension: 2 year $ 5.8 Mil

Wilson has a solid contributor in his time in Detroit. Terrible in coverage but an excellent tackler in the box. Led the Lions in tackles in 2019.



WR Marvin Jones 53 g 51 st 213/3318/27 rec
Contract: 5 years $40 mil

Solid replacement for Calvin. Catches the ball in traffic. Good in the red zone. Only issue is with injuries. Ends his contract as the # 3 all-time in receiving touchdowns. 



WR Anquan Boldin 16 starts 67/584/8 rec
Contract: 1 year $2.75 mil

Played like a TE in the passing game. Moved the chains and scored 8 touchdowns.


WR Andre Roberts 16 g 1 st 14/188/1 rec 33/747 KR 20/246/2 PR
Contract: 1 year $760,000

Excellent return man and solid # 4 receiver. Made pro bowl after leaving Detroit.

Misses:



Stefan Charles 12 g 12 tackles
Contract: 1 year $1.75 mil

Signed to be a part of the 4-3 D line rotation. Did very little. Had a goalline stop vs. the Rams.



Johnson Bademosi 16 g 3 st 22t 1 int
Contract; 2 years 4.5 mil
Traded after year 1

Added for depth and special teams help. Really did not cover anybody. Got torched at Chicago when Slay was out. Traded to New England where he won a Super Bowl.

2017:

Quinn started off the 2017 offseason with a terrible free agent class. He compounded it with a terrible draft. This is a blueprint of to take a playoff team to a 3-13 team in two years.

Lang was good when healthy but played only 19 out of 36 games. . Wagner was complete bust. Spence and Washington were moved after one year. Hayden did not play well at all.

Decent



TJ Lang 19 starts
Contract: 3 years $28.5 mil
Retired in year 3 leaving $2.6 mil in dead money in 2019.
Played in only 19 out of 36 games. Was one of the most penalized lineman in 2017. Made the Pro Bowl on reputation. Only Lions guard to make the Pro Bowl since 1964 (John Gordy)

Misses:



Ricky Wagner 40 starts
Contract: 5 years $47.5 mil
Cut after three years leaving $5.8 mil in dead cap for 2020

Quinn made him the highest paid right tackle in the NFL. He struggled. Could not pass protect especially against the Vikings. Terrible run blocker.




Akeem Spence 16 g 11 st 39 t 3 sacks
Contract: 3 years $ 9 mil
Traded after year # 1

Signed to start at the 3 technique. Was ineffective. Traded to Miami after year # 1.




Cornelius Washington 15g 2 starts 24t 2.5 sacks
Contract: 2 years $5.825 mil

Signed to be part of the rotation at end. Never really added any pass rush. Cut after the season.



Dj Hayden 16 g 1 starts 44 tackles
Contract 1 year $3.75 mil

Ineffective as a cover guy. Did have a touchdown at Chicago.

2018:

Quinn was looking to switch to from 4-3 defense to the hybrid Patriots defense.
He did a horrible job. Grabbing two below average linebackers and a tackle that did not make it through the season. Blount was ineffective. When signing a back up guard is your best move that is not a good sign.

Decent:



Kenny Wiggins 30 games 13 starts
Contract: 2 years $ 5 mil
Extend 1 year $1.187 mil

Rotational guard who grades at below average. Cut during 2021



Levine Toilolo 15 g 10 st 21/263/1 rec
Contract: 1 year $1.5 mil

Started to play better late in the season. Had a good game vs. the Rams and caught a TD from Matt Prater.

The Misses:



Christian Jones 29 st 120 t 3 sacks
Contract: 2 years $6.35 Mil
Extend: 2 years $5.74 mil

Grades out as one of the worst LB in the NFL the first three years in Detroit. Signed an extension.



Devon Kennard 31g 30 st 102t 14 sacks
Contract: 3 years $17.25 mil
Cut after year 2 leaving $1.75 mil in dead money for 2020

Had a few big games and was a decent edge setter in the run game. Had the worst one on one pass rush win rate in the NFL in 2019.



LaGarette Blount 16 g 8 st 154/418/5 10/65 rec
Contract: 1 year $ 2 mil

One big game but struggled in the short yardage situation.




Sylvester Williams 6 g 4 st 6 tackles
Contract; 1 year $3.5 mil

Cut after 6 games.



Luke Willson 14g 8 st 13/87/0 rec
Contract: 1 year $2.5 mil

Didn't block or catch. Funny guy from Canada.

2019:

After terrible off seasons in 2017 & 2018, Quinn needed to add some players. Spent a lot money on Flowers, Coleman and James. Daniels was a late add, he did almost nothing.

Hits:




Trey Flowers 15 starts 52 t 7 sacks
Contract: 5 year $90 mil
Started slow due to injury. Played well when on the field. Committed a lot of penalties in crucial times.



Danny Amendola 15 g 10 st 62/678/1 rec
Contract: 1 year $4.5 mil
Extend 1 year $ 5 mil

Good signing. Can play the slot. Good work ethic guy for the youngsters. Made the cases to return in 2021

Misses:



Justin Coleman 16g 11 st 55t 1 int 13 PBU 3 FF
Contract: 4 years $36 mil

Started well but his lack of speed in evident. Cannot keep up with WR down field. Did force 3 fumbles.

One of the worst CB in the NFL.




Jesse James 16g 11 st 16/142/0
Contract: 4 years $22.6 mil

Almost non-extent in first two seasons. 



Rashaan Melvin 13g 12 st 66t 11 PBU
Contract: 1 year $2.15 mil

Below average corner. Did not get beat deep but could not cover the medium route.



Mike Daniels 9 g 2 st 9 tackles 1 sack
Contract: 1 year $8.1 mil

Injured twice during the season. Looks to be finished.



CJ Anderson  2 games 16/43/0
Contract: 1 Year $1.325

Lasted 2 games.

2020:

After being given a win now mandate, Quinn spent money on defense and OT. The Defensive Line actually looks worse on paper. Shelton, Williams had little impact. Vaitai will go down as one of the worst free agent signings in Lions history.

Danny Shelton
Contract 2 years $ 8 mil

Nick Williams
Contract 2 years $10 mil

Made little impact. Battled injury. Likely cap cut in 2021

Jamie Collins
Contract 3 years $ 30 mil

Lions only NFL level Linebacker. 

Desmond Trufant
Contract 2 years $ 20 mil
Played 6 games, finished 4. Struggled.

Halapoulivaati Vaitai
Contract 5 years $ 45 mil

One of the worst players in the NFL in 2020.

Jayron Kearse
Contract 1 year $ 2 mil

Did not make through the season. Suspended first 3 games.

Darryl Roberts
Contract 1 year $ 2 mil

Struggled with injury and coverage.

Chase Daniel
Contract 3 year $13 mil

Played poorly when he called upon. possible cap cut in 2021