Detroit Lions Should Nab Matt Forte First in Free Agency

After watching their best weapon hang it up, how do the Detroit Lions improve on offense? By adding a stud running back to steal the show. Good thing free agency is full of them.

We’re tackling each team in the league, traveling alphabetically to debate their biggest offseason issues. Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL Sports Debate. Two brothers from New York yell, scream, and debate sports.

TODD:

There are some useful pieces hitting free agency for the Detroit Lions, and this will be a big draft coming up, but really everything hinges on the retirement of Calvin Johnson.

Johnson decided to leave the game in an announcement on Tuesday. His salary is taken off the books for Detroit, and two things happen. First, the team has a gargantuan level of cap room since it already had sizable space with Johnson’s team-leading cap hold. Second, the Lions are in big trouble on the offensive side of the football for next season.

Johnson had what was considered a down year in 2015, as did the entire Lion offense. This was thanks mostly to an inept and worthless running game. But Matthew Stafford and company were also not at the top of their games.

What can be done to alleviate the loss of your best player calling it quits? Sure, Detroit can draft a top wide receiver with its first-round selection, but even still this roster has turned into the NFC’s version of the Baltimore Ravens: a strong-armed quarterback with few weapons around him and a defense that isn’t living up to expectations.

If Detroit drafts its version of Breshad Perriman, is that enough to begin a rebuild? Ameer Abdullah is in place at the running back position, although he seems like he will need a backfield buddy to split carries with his entire career.

I have always liked Stafford as a quarterback, although now I’m worried he was too often bailed out by Johnson’s leaping and catching abilities. What happens when Stafford needs to be accurate in hitting smaller receivers in tighter spots down the field?

The defense in 2015 took a sizable step back from where it was in 2014, but maybe that’s the area of a quicker turnaround. There are worse plans than building a team around a good defense and missile-armed QB. It seems counter-intuitive to replace your Hall of Fame-level wide receiver with big-money defensive free agents, but football isn’t always about replacing lost parts; it’s building a better whole.

Jan 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half at Soldier Field. The Lions won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

DAN:

You nailed it with your final analysis, as the Lions must build a better whole for 2016. Stafford has been excellent overall and one down year should not define him going forward. Drafting defense and/or offensive linemen is critical, because all one has to do is look towards last season to find a team that won a Super Bowl behind stellar defense and protecting its quarterback in the pocket. So where does this leave Detroit in free agency? With money to spend they can easily add star power at the running back position.

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I’m a huge Chris Ivory fan, but since he was already snatched up by the Jaguars, Matt Forte is the next best option. Detroit has the ability to throw as much money at him as the market allows, and they should. Forte averaged 1000 yards per season over his eight years in the league and would shine in a two-back system. The Lions current back, Abdullah, is in need of a running mate and if the duo can shoulder the offensive load, this takes enormous pressure off of Stafford and the passing game. It also elevates the defense by eating up time of possession in favor of the Lions.

While Forte is the top prize at running back, Detroit has several other options available at the position. Bilal Powell, a New York Jet last season, was excellent catching balls out of the backfield. Arian Foster is also on the open market, as is Chris Johnson. The crop of wide receivers in free agency might not be ideal, but the class of running backs is more than Detroit could even hope for. No one can replace Calvin Johnson on the outside, but a bruising running attack would quickly and efficiently mask the hole he’s left behind on offense.

More nfl spin zone: 2016 NFL Mock Draft - Lions Grab a Stud Offensive Lineman

This is a three-pronged attack for the Lions this offseason. Build on an already talented defense, use the draft to strengthen the offensive line, then pay handsomely for Matt Forte at running back.

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