There have been some developments in free agency with the Lions. They focused on solid low risk contracts and didn’t make any blockbuster moves. Let’s take a look at the latest news.

QB: Not much to report here in free agency. Backup QB Jake Rudock signed a 1 year deal as an EFA. I usually like to touch on any offensive line moves here, especially with QB Matthew Stafford getting sacked too often in 2017. But there’s not much going on. Starting C Travis Swanson is clearly not going to be re-signed, but the only lineman they have signed in free agency is a guard who profiles as a backup. So that interior line spot is still up in the air. Keep an eye on the draft for a guard with a mid round pick. If the Lions decide to bring in another quarterback to compete for the third spot, I doubt they will be getting involved with any of the big name guys that are available.

RB: The Lions definitely wanted to upgrade at the running back position. Their struggles running the ball have been well documented. They looked at a lot of big name veterans who you could argue are washed up, such as DeMarco Murray, Frank Gore, and Jonathan Stewart. They made a bit of a splash by eventually picking up free agent RB LeGarrette Blount who played for the Eagles last year and was previously with the Patriots. Remember the Lions have New England connections in the front office and with the head coach. Blount signed a 1 year deal and figures to handle short yardage and goal line work at the bare minimum. Perhaps more depending how the offseason unfolds. Free agent RB Zach Zenner is back on a 1 year deal but I have a feeling he will have a tough time making the 53 man roster this year. You can probably bet on the Lions drafting a running back, perhaps as early as round 2.

WR/TE: There were rumors that TE Eric Ebron was back on the trade block, and it seems like we have seen an increase in trades this offseason. With no takers for Ebron though, the Lions released him. He has since signed with the Colts. I was a little surprised he was released but I the front office felt like he was not worth $8 million. I also think they looked at this offense with a possible breakout player in WR Kenny Golladay and figured why have money invested in the tight end position when you can deemphasize it and make it the fifth option in the passing game. With the #2 tight end from last year, TE Darren Fells, jumping to the Browns early in free agency, it left a bigger hole at the position. With slim pickings in free agency the Lions looked at guys like Logan Paulsen and Brent Celek, but ended up signing TE Luke Willson on a one year deal. He has caught between 15 and 22 passes in each of his 5 years with Seattle. Those numbers don’t stand out at all. Can his production increase with a larger role? His hometown is just across the river in Ontario so it’s a good fit. Another addition for depth is needed, possibly in the draft.

K/DST: As we sort of expected, the Lions used the franchise tag on DE Ziggy Ansah. I explained the thinking here last month and this wasn’t a surprise. The Lions have added three linebackers as they targeted this position heavily early in free agency with LB Devon Kennard and LB Christian Jones. We thought DT Haloti Ngata might retire, but he signed with the Eagles. The Lions picked up DT Sylvester Williams as a free agent and a lot of people are looking at these defensive signings as pieces that fit better in a 3-4 scheme. New HC Matt Patricia came from the Patriots and we can expect flexibility in the scheme like the Patriots were known for. I don’t see the scheme affecting the fantasy relevance much but it will be interesting to follow. As usual, the Lions need pass rush help and could target defensive linemen in round 1. The Lions were mentioned with free agents Richard Sherman and Malcolm Butler but I don’t think they were serious contenders for either one. They signed former Seahawks CB Deshawn Shead. To replace CB DJ Hayden to went to the Jaguars.

Next month we will preview the draft and perhaps take a look at the 2018 schedule if it has been released. The Lions received no compensatory picks and as of now have a total of just six picks: one pick in round 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7, and no picks in round 6.

End.