The Detroit Lions had a juggernaut of a defense last season. The third-ranked unit led them to only their second playoff spot since the turn of the millennium, but their offense seemed to lag behind. The usual hyper aggressive offense which saw quarterback Matt Stafford break the record for most pass attempts in a single season seemed to fizzle out. Under new coach Jim Caldwell, they seemed to focus on a more methodical play style with more emphasis on running the ball.
The Lions personnel, though, was built for the more flashy, over-aggressive style of play. They had receivers Golden Tate and Calvin Johnson, big-play guys who Stafford loved throwing deep to. Last year they moved their offense more towards the passive style, but without the strong running backs needed to successfully run the ball, they struggled.
The injury-plagued Reggie Bush is known for his play making ability, but is not a reliable every down back. As the season went on, Joique Bell seemed to fit the offense better and eventually took over the full time starting role. The problem with Bell is that he can get a solid few yards a carry, but does not have the ability to break free for big plays like Bush does.
Along with an offensive line that is average at best, the Lions running game struggled despite the focus Caldwell and new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi put on it in 2014 and it finished 22nd in the NFL in yardage.
With the defensive core of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley both leaving, the Lions had a choice of priority in this draft. The Lions draft could either get the personnel needed to help strengthen their run game, or help rebuild the unit that led them to success last season.
Direction of Detroit Lions Draft Favored Offense
After trading back in the first round, highly sought after defensive tackle Malcom Brown was still available. The Lions had an opportunity to pick up the defensive lineman to play alongside Haloti Ngata, who they traded for earlier in the offseason.
Instead, though, the Lions drafted guard Laken Tomlinson out of Duke. Tomlinson was brought on board along with former Lions tackle Manny Ramirez who was acquired in a trade with the Denver Broncos. In doing so, the Lions found two possible starters on the offensive line.
Both of the pickups show what the Lions priorities will be this season. Despite some of its struggles last year, the Lions front office likes the focus the Lions put on the running game last season.
The Lions again showed their hand in the second round. They yet again valued the run game over the defensive line, picking Ameer Abdullah. Abdullah plays similar to Reggie Bush and will most likely take over as the team’s starting running back. Abdullah is a huge play maker as we saw during his time playing for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and he along with Bell can create a dynamic duo that will terrify defenses.
In round three the Lions picked corner Alex Carter, and addressed the holes at defensive tackle by picking Gabe Wright out of Auburn in the fourth round.
But with two of their last three picks in the draft, the Lions again went for protection in the run game. They made the rare choice of drafting a fullback by taking Michael Burton in the fifth, and picked up another tackle in Corey Robinson with their final pick. Robinson will compete at left tackle for a starting job. Burton will add another target out of the backfield along with Abdullah, but will primarily be used as a body to block with.
The Lions had a clear goal in the draft. They wanted to establish a run game and help add another dimension to their offense. The Lions have stereotypically been a pass first team that rarely would hand the ball off. If they hope to become one of the elite teams in the NFL, and become Super Bowl contenders, they need to add the second dimension to their offense.
It did come at a heavy cost, though. The Lions may have squandered an opportunity to rebuild their defensive line in the first round.
This draft may signal the beginning of a new look Detroit Lions.
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