By: Jake Rajala

The Detroit Lions capped off the 2020 season with a fourth place finish in the NFC North. The Lions started the offseason by searching for a new head coach. Dan Campbell, who was the tight ends coach for the New Orleans Saints, was hired to be the next leader in the Motor City. 

In a brief reflection of the Lions offseason leading up to July, the Lions have made some noticeable changes. Campbell shipped out Matthew Stafford for Jared Goff, the team opted to let Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones walk out the door in free agency, and the Lions drafted the decade like talent offensive tackle Penei Sewell sixth overall. 

All in all, the Lions appear to be in a rebuilding phase. The Lions took a step back at the QB position, they let both talented wideouts leave, and they appear to be building from the inside out (OL to perimeter). 

With all of this being said, the question begs to ask: Are the Lions destined to finish fourth in the division again and should fans throw in the towel? I believe the Lions have a very challenging task ahead, but the answer is a clear no. 

Here is why the Lions may not only end last, but also boast a chance to win the NFC North in 2021. 

• D’Andre Swift 

The Lions second year running back is undoubtedly the best weapon on the roster. It may seem obvious that Swift will need to perform with his expectations given for the Lions to have a fighting chance. Although, the enticing part is that the Lions have shown to have a winning chance and different outcome when Swift is playing exceptionally well. 

Swift ran over 80 yards only twice last season. In both matchups where Swift found success on the ground, the Lions came out 2-0. It’s a small sample size, but leaning on Swift appeared the utmost efficient, not to mention that two victories from the explosive RB was half of the regular season wins (four). 

Outside of the importance and examples shown with Swift’s rushing success correlated to victories, it appears likely that Swift will be a very talented halfback among the whole league next year. Swift grew into the RB1 role late last season and In the last six games, he collected four 60+ rushing yard performances. With Sewell and Frank Ragnow upfront together, Swift should build off his rushing success last year and continue to help the Lions oust more victories.

• QBs in the NFC North

The Lions will have a very difficult time winning the division if Aaron Rodgers stays in Title town. However, if Rodgers leaves the NFC North, the Lions odds would undoubtedly increase. Particularly in the head to head matchups, the Lions would have a much better chance of beating GB if Rodgers isn’t taking the field.

In three of the past four games the Lions faced off against the Packers, the Lions lost by less than seven points. 

Outside of GB, the NFC North QBs hold serious question marks. The Bears will either roll with the shaky Andy Dalton, or they will go down the path of having a rookie QB in a lackluster offense. Fields clearly holds special ability, but his NFL ready ability is a serious question. The Lions split games with the Bears last year. 

In Minnesota, the most stable QB situation resides. Kirk Cousins is a stable starter, despite not being an impressive force throughout most of his career.  

None of the QBs in the NFC North are clear above average QBs, or appear to have the ability to blow an average defense out of the building. Indeed, the Lions didn’t even hold an average defense last year. Nonetheless, the Lions should have a noticeably different defensive impression in 2021. 

• Improved defense

The Lions defense was undoubtedly dreadful in 2020. It was in fact the worst defense in franchise history. There is nowhere to go, but up for DET’s defensive unit next season. In fact, it appears that the defense will take steps of growth. 

Aaron Glenn was hired by Campbell to be the new defensive coordinator. As the DC, Glenn should light a spark in the secondary (Jeffery Okudah), utilize the speed of the LB core, and be more aggressive against QBs (which will work great in the division). Glenn helped Marshon Lattimore be one of the top CBs in the game, so he will look to help Okudah do the same in DET. If the Lions defense can make more plays and noticeably improve on the back end, the Lions defense will keep themselves in more games. 

With a stronger effort from Swift, weaker competition in pivotal divisional matchups, and the weak link (defense) completely transforming, the Lions should find themselves more on the winning side of their usual close games. It’s safe to say that the often scrutinized organization being led by the unpopular QB at least holds a chance to win the NFC North division in 2021.

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The Detroit Lions added Levi Onwuzurike with their second pick in the 2021 NFL draft. However, they have not added anyone after him to rush the opposing quarterback. The lions still lack a real presence on this side of the football. The Okwara brothers are the Lions starting EDGE rushers, and Michael Brockers and Trey Flowers head up the defensive tackle group. Certainly not a horrible group, but nothing to write home about. Considering this need, the Lions need to add one or two more players in free agency to their front seven. Below are three edge players and three defensive tackles. Any of them will add a veteran presence, with some upside. A few, like Melvin Ingram, do have the potential for injury, but the Lions could still take a cheap flyer on one of them. And if any of these players were to hit, it would be at little cost to the Lions.

Sheldon Richardson, 30, DL

Arguably the best available free agent, Richardson is a run-stuffing tackle, with pass-rushing potential. He was a good player for the Cleveland Browns last year but was overshadowed by the likes of Myles Garret and Oliver Vernon. Richardson would provide a veteran presence, the potential for fifteen pass-rushing snaps a game, and would not be a liability in run defense. The biggest knock against Richardson is that out of everyone else on this list, he is possibly the worst at rushing the passer.

Geno Atkins, 33, DL

Atkins was an oft-injured player for the Cincinnati Bengals, but he was also their best pass rusher. Atkins is feeling his age now at 33, probably the main reason he remains unemployed. If he can remain healthy, Atkins could provide the extra pass-rushing juice that the Lions lack. His ideal snap count would be at about 15 per game, so as to limit the possibility of injury and keep him fresh. Atkins could see a phone call soon from the Lions soon, provided it be on a team-friendly deal.

Jurrell Casey, 31, DL

Casey only played three games for the Denver Broncos last year and was released in February. The ex-Tennessee Titan could probably be signed for a 1-year, three-million-dollar deal. Because Casey has proven to be an injury risk, the deal would be cheap, but the upside high. Casey ranks fourth on the Titans all-time sack leaders list and still has some of that talent left in him. While he is not an edge rusher, he could be the sort of cheap, high upside, veteran player that the Lions are looking for on the defensive line side of the football.

Melvin Ingram, 32, EDGE

Probably the most recognizable name on this list, Ingram does not need to start for the Lions. He could back up the Okwara brothers, be a veteran in the room, and still provide splash plays. The former Los Angles Charger still has potential left in him. If he were signed in a deal similar to the one laid out previously for Jurrell Casey, Ingram would be exactly what the Lions are looking for. It’s important to remember that the Lions won’t get a star pass rusher. What they can get is a veteran with upside. That is what Ingram, like all the players on this list, is.

Justin Houston, 32, EDGE

Houston probably has the best chance to become a Detroit Lion. He was not bad for the Kansas City Chiefs last year, he was just showing his age. The 32-year-old would be the perfect candidate to play limited snaps and provides the most upside out of everyone else on this list. He still is explosive and would not be a downgrade from either of the Okwara brothers. If the Lions are seriously thinking about adding a veteran EDGE rusher, Houston is a perfect choice. He could be had for a 1-year, 5-million-dollar deal. Pretty cheap for a former star.

Oliver Vernon, 30, EDGE

Vernon ruptured his Achilles in the last game of the 2020 season with the Cleveland Browns, and was subsequently let go. It might take up to a year for Vernon to recover, so his name will probably not be called on any time soon. However, Vernon would be a great late-season pickup. Vernon had nine sacks before he tore his Achilles, and was outplaying Myles Garret. If the Lions are looking to add a player for 2022, Vernon could be that player. A year away from football would keep his body fresh while he recovers, and Vernon could be signed for less than 7-million a year because of his injury.

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