This Lions are finally headed in the right direction with addressing giant holes on both sides of the ball in the off season and in the draft. N. Suh and Corey Williams will help provide greater run stopping ability then the Lions had last season on the defensive line. This could be their greatest strength since the Lions added DE Kyle Vanden Bosch to put pressure on opposing QB’s as well. The Lions weakness on defense will be covering the pass and at linebacker. If Vanden Bosch performs up to speed, that should help the coverage situation but not solve the problem.
On the offensive line the Lions traded a 5th round draft pick to get LT Rob Sims, a former starter with the Seahawks and was the 4th best rated offensive lineman in the league last year in quarterback pressures and hits. This solidifies the very important LT position and now the line can try and improve on opening holes for Kevin Smith and Jahvid Best, a super rookie that has blazing speed and good pass catching ability.
On offense you will have a healthy Mathew Stafford and Calvin Johnson hooking up again. Johnson was injured much of the last season and teams were double and triple teaming him when he was playing, so the Lions went out and picked up WR Nate Burleson, a definite upgrade from last year and a big sleeper once again in fantasy drafts as he will be drawing only single coverage from defensive secondary’s. Don’t forget about him as a sure fire # 3 WR with WR # 2 potential.
The Lions found a need for a legitimate pass catching TE and plucked Tony Scheffler from the Broncos. TE Brandon Pettigrew, the Lions starter, is coming back from ACL surgery and might be used more in blocking situations with Scheffler creating absolute havoc with the corners and safeties. In other words, he might even be a super sleeper this season as fantasy coaches forget about him with all of the talented TE’s available. The beauty of picking him up is that you can take him as a TE # 2 and get him very late in the draft!
James
Good write up. I also think the Lions will have some fantasy surprises this year and the players should come pretty cheap this year.
FYI, the Lions traded for Rob Sims who will be the LG. Ryan Sims is a DT for Tampa.
Thanks!
OOPs! Thanks for the correction! Got the names mixed up!