Bob Quinn has spent two years reshaping the Detroit Lions' roster and staff
Mario Lemieux Jersey , bringing in players and coaches he knew from their years together with the New England Patriots.
The Lions have won nine games in each of the past two seasons, which wasn't enough for Jim Caldwell to keep his job. Quinn believes they will be drafting
from a position of strength.
"With the way the roster is today, I don't think I'm in a position to reach for any position of so-called need," Quinn insisted. "I'm not eliminating any
position."
The Lions would stun everyone if they took a quarterback No. 20 overall Thursday night with many millions invested in Matthew Stafford, or a wide
receiver with more than a few options on the team. They could justify bolstering
coach Matt Patricia's first team at any other position, especially defensive end
and offensive guard.
UP FRONT
The Lions were last in the league in rushing and have been among the NFL's worst offensively on the ground in recent years. Even if they made a bold move
to trade up and select Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, it may not matter
if the offensive line doesn't improve. There seem to be four solid blockers:
tackles Taylor Decker and Ricky Wagner, guard T.J. Lang and center Graham
Glasgow. The team's fifth option, Wesley Johnson, isn't likely an attractive
option; the New York Jets didn't want to re-sign him.
That may all add up to Detroit drafting a guard or center in the first round.
"I have no problem taking an interior offensive lineman
Patrice Bergeron Jersey ," Quinn said.
ON THE EDGE
Detroit desperately needs help at defensive end because Ezekiel Ansah is playing on a franchise tag, possibly in his last year with the team. Quinn plans
to make picks based on what the team will need up to 18 months away.
"We kind of look that far, knowing that guys are going to be unrestricted free agents after this year, but also the following year," Quinn said. "There's
a really good balance there that we have to talk about and kind of envision our
needs not just for today, but in the years ahead."
The other options at defensive end such as Anthony Zettel and Kerry Hyder, who missed all of last season with an Achilles tendon injury, don't generate
much excitement.
MAYBE LATER
Quinn may choose a running back in a later round, hoping to find a flyer. He did add another former Patriot, LeGarrette Blount
Ryan Johansen Jersey , to the position to compete with Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick.
"If we had to go play a football game today, I think we have enough running backs to be competitive," Quinn said.
SAME PAGE
Patricia is an NFL head coach for the first time entering the draft, but he has a lot of experience with Quinn because they worked together with the
Patriots for a dozen years.
"I had heard about Matt from Bob for two years before we had the chance to meet," Lions president Rod Wood said, sitting between Quinn and Patricia at a
season ticket holders gathering. "I told him recently, 'I think he undersold
him, and he was selling him.' The relationship is strong, the language they
speak, the trust. The ability I think to build the team through kind of one
long-term vision of what we're going to be about.
"This is probably the first time I've sat between them since they've been in town. They're together all the time."
HITS
Authentic Alexander Wennberg Jersey , MISSES AND BARGAINS
Detroit appeared to reach for tight end Eric Ebron at No. 10 overall in 2014. This offseason, the team acknowledged the mistake when it cut him. The Lions
would have been better off with any of the players taking immediately after
Ebron: offensive tackle Taylor Lewan, receiver Odell Beckham Jr., and defensive
tackle Aaron Donald. Quinn landed a late-round gem last season, selecting
All-Pro punt returner Jamal Agnew in the fifth round.
HOUSTON TEXANS (4-12)
New faces: S Tyrann Mathieu, G Senio Kelemete, G Zach Fulton, OT Seantrel Henderson, CB Aaron Colvin, QB Brandon Weeden
Troy Brouwer Jersey , TE Jordan Akins.
Key losses: LB Brian Cushing, OT Jeff Allen, OL Xavier Su’a-Filo.
Strengths: QB Deshaun Watson is healthy after season-ending knee surgery last year and should lead potent offense that also features WR DeAndre Hopkins and RB
Lamar Miller. Defensive line expected to be another strength with three-time
Defensive Player of Year J.J. Watt returning after missing most of last two
seasons with injuries. He will team with 2014 top overall draft pick Jadeveon
Clowney, who is coming off best season.
Weaknesses: Offensive line that allowed second-most sacks in NFL last season has several new faces but it’s unclear if changes will lead to better protection
for Watson. Team added Mathieu and Colvin in free agency to upgrade secondary
that struggled at times last season, but group will need to be much better to
keep pace with outstanding defensive front.
Fantasy Players To Watch: Hopkins. Sixth-year receiver has become one of best players in game despite dealing with ineffective and inconsistent quarterback
play for entire career. Hopkins was fourth in NFL with 1,378 yards receiving and
caught career-high and NFL-best 13 touchdown passes last season while playing
with four quarterbacks. With Watson healthy and on field he could put up even
better numbers in 2018.
Vegas Says: Super Bowl 22-1. Over/under wins 8 1/2.
Expectations: If Watson is healthy and can build on limited work as rookie, Houston’s offense will be much better. Defensive front will get boost if Watt
can stay on field to play with Clowney. With Watson and Watt leading team,
Texans should shake off last season’s struggles to contend for third AFC South
title in four years.
http://www.officialusafootballs.com/new-orleans-saints
