Detroit Lions off-season Preview Defense

The major need is the front 7. It ranked # 30 in the NFL by PFF.

Defensive Line:

Quality NFL Players:
DE Ziggy Ansah PFF Rank # 50. Struggled with injury but showed his ability late in the season. 2 year left on the Contract.

DE/DT Kerry Hyder PFF #42. Good rotational player. Can play outside and inside. a # 3 end.

DT A'Shawn Robinson PFF # 62. Improved dramatically during the season. Shows the ability to be a strong interior player.

Developmental players:
Anthony Zettel A #4 end at best. On the roster bubble.

Decisions:

DT Haloti Ngata PFF rank #70 has one year under contract. He is owed $5.5 million in salary. I would cut him.

Bottom Line:

Lions need to invest a lot of resources on the defensive line. Multiple draft picks and possible free agent signings.

Possible Free Agents:

DT Abry Jones Jags, Stacy McGee Raiders, Bennie logan Eagles, John Hankins Giants

DE Nick Perry Packers, Alex Okafor Cards,

Linebackers

Quality Players:
None

Developmental players:
Antwoine Williams Possible strongside starter.
Thurston Armbrister
Steve Longa

Decisions:

Tahir Whitehead struggled at MLB. PFF rank # 86 out of  87. Maybe could play at strongside. Terrible at run fits.

DeAndre Levy PFF rank # 37. Great unknown. If he is healthy a fringe starter or rotational player. Significant salary cap implications if he is cut.

Bottom Line:
Lions need two quality starters at linebacker. They need athletes who run down mobile QB.

Possible Free Agents

Donta Hightower Pats


Cornerbacks:

Quality NFL Players:
Darius Slay PFF Rank # 18
Nevin Lawson PFF # 40 Solid CB. Better off as a # 3
Quandre Diggs PFf #98 Solid Slot CB. Really missed when injured.

Developmental players:
Alex Carter Year # 3
Adarius Barnes Can he play in the slot?

Bottom Line:
Another quality player would be a bonus. With the problems in the front 7 the Lions will probably have to do with this group.

Possible Free Agents

AJ Bouye Texans, Logan Ryan Pats, Trumaine Johnson Rams, Marcus Williams Jets, Stephon Gilmore BIlls


Safety:

Quality NFL Players
Glover Quin PFF # 23 1 year left on contract.
Tavon Wilson PFF # 21 1 year left on contract
Miles Killebrew solid three down player. Has another to learn safety.

Bottom Line:
Another group the probably will stand pat in 2017. Too much need in the front 7.

Possible Free Agents

John Cyprien Jags, Bradley McDougal Bucs, Steven Terrell Seahawks, Daimon Stafford Titans