Friday, March 21, 2025

Lions Links for Thursday 3-20-25

Articles:

Lions sign unrestricted free agent CB Rock Ya-Sin:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-sign-unrestricted-free-agent-cb-rock-ya-sin

TWENTYMAN: 3 areas of need following first wave of free agency:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-3-areas-of-need-following-first-wave-of-free-agency




Kyle Allen contract breakdown: Deal gives insight into Lions backup QB situation:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025/3/20/24390120/kyle-allen-contract-breakdown-insight-detroit-lions-backup-qb-hendon-hooker

Every team’s best trade asset ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft (Detroit Lions: CB Amik Robertson:  The Lions addressed the loss of Carlton Davis III by signing D.J. Reed to a big-ticket deal, but the list of defensive players entering the last year of contracts is long. Robertson feels like one of the more likely players to be dealt.  In his first year in Detroit, Robertson churned out a 62.2 PFF coverage grade but a stellar 89.7 PFF run-defense grade. Given that the Lions drafted Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the second round last year, the team should figure to get him additional reps this year — potentially by trading Robertson.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-best-trade-asset-every-team-2025-nfl-draft

4 teams that should fill a major need by trading for a veteran instead of drafting a rookie (Detroit Lions - Player to target: EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York Giants.  Undoubtedly, the Lions faithful are ecstatic to get their cornerstone pass-rusher, Aidan Hutchinson, back after the would-be Defensive Player of the Year candidate missed the vast majority of last season after fracturing his leg in Week 6. Without the 24-year-old active, Detroit tallied just 21 sacks – ranking 27th in the NFL from Week 7 onward – good for just a 61.7 team pass-rush grade.  Needless to say, returning Hutch’s 95.0 PFF pass-rush grade to the lineup will have a massive impact on the entire unit's ability to draw one-on-ones and generate pressure, something that was exceedingly difficult without him. However, the problem still persists: Outside of Hutchinson, this defense struggles to generate consistent pressure off the edge.  Although this year’s draft class features a strong group of edge rushers, Detroit’s win-now mentality may lead the team to execute a trade to address the deficiency, as the Lions had attempted to with Za’Darius Smith at the deadline. One potential name to target could be the guy who was selected three picks after Hutchinson in 2022, Kayvon Thibodeaux. The New York Giants edge rusher hasn’t made the impact many thought he would in New York, eclipsing a 70.0 single-season PFF pass-rush grade just once, but the right situation could set the record straight.  With a fifth-year option decision looming – a subsequent extension – New York has a decision to make on what path forward to take with Thibodeaux. Should the Giants decide to maximize their trade value for Thibs, now would be the time. Detroit has the structure in place to tap into the pass rusher’s potential, as well as the cap space to facilitate an extension, should the team decide to.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-4-teams-that-should-fill-a-major-need-by-trading-for-a-veteran-instead-of-drafting-a-rookie

Ranking top 5 WR duos: 2-time SB champion weighs in (4. Lions: Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. "When you play against the Detroit Lions, you can't devote all of your attention to the aerial attack. When you have [David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs] in the backfield, they have more balance than any other team in the NFL and that will pave the way for another successful season for these two wide receivers."):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/two-time-super-bowl-winner-ranks-the-top-five-receiving-duos-in-the-nfl-bengals-edge-eagles-for-top-spot/

NFL Draft: The best value selection from every round over the past 10 years (Sixth round: Quandre Diggs, S, Lions, 2015 - For all the love understandably given to 2000 sixth-rounder Tom Brady over the past 25 years, this is the toughest round to pick a winner from over the past decade. Diggs has gone to three Pro Bowls in his NFL career, while all the other sixth-round picks in the decade have combined for four, none more than once. A little recency bias could make a case for the Chiefs' Trey Smith here, but Diggs has 24 career interceptions and 622 tackles, with a full decade as an impact player, rare for a sixth-rounder.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/nfl-draft-best-value-selection-from-every-round-over-past-10-years


NFL Free Agency Grades 2025: Rams and Patriots Earn High Marks in First Week, Eagles, Seahawks, 49ers, and Dolphins Have Work To Do (Detroit Lions - Notable Signings: CB D.J. Reed, DT Levi Onwuzurike (re-sign).  Notable Departures: CB Carlton Davis III, EDGE Za’Darius Smith, S Will Harris, G Kevin Zeitler.  Swapping out Carlton Davis III for D.J. Reed is roughly a wash in a vacuum, but Reed came at a cheaper cost than Davis. That makes him a better value, particularly given Davis’ more checkered injury history in comparison.  While Detroit did well in its cornerback swap, cutting Za’Darius Smith to save $5.7 million in cap space is a curious move for a team in need of more pass-rushing depth. Aidan Hutchinson will return from his broken leg, but Alim McNeil is a question mark after a mid-December torn ACL. Until the Lions beef up the pass rush support around Hutchinson, this can’t be considered a truly successful offseason.  Losing Kevin Zeitler hurts as well, as the Lions don’t have an obvious replacement. Last year’s No. 6 offensive line in PFSN’s rankings is still a very strong unit, but has an important hole to fill unless second-year pro Christian Mahogany is ready.  Grade: B-):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-free-agency-grades-2025/

2025 NFL Draft:


One DT Lions Could Select in Every Round of NFL Draft:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/one-dt-lions-could-select-every-round-2025-nfl-draft

Why Lions Selected IOL Tyler Booker in Latest OnSI Mock Draft:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/why-lions-selected-iol-tyler-booker-in-latest-onsi-mock-draft

2025 NFL Draft: Best run-blocking offensive linemen:  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2025-nfl-draft-best-run-blocking-offensive-linemen


Insider Notes on Oregon State and Big 12 Pro Day: Chiefs scheduling visits with multiple OLs, Vikings meeting with Aiden Williams, and more:  https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/insider-notes-oregon-state-big-12-pro-day-chiefs-scheduling-visits-multiple-ols-vikings-meeting-aiden-williams

Grades:


Podcast:


Podcast: Lions Role Players Who Could Step Up in 2025:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/podcasts/lions-role-players-who-could-step-up-2025

Video:

Which NFC North team are you currently impressed with? | 'GMFB':  https://www.nfl.com/videos/which-nfc-north-team-are-you-currently-impressed-with-gmfb

Pelissero on Lions rule proposal of seeding in playoffs | 'GMFB':  https://www.nfl.com/videos/pelissero-on-lions-rule-proposal-of-seeding-in-playoffs-gmfb
Posted by LionsFan at 11:36 AM

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