Detroit Lions: 5 Burning Free Agency Questions

Nov 23, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver

(81) during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots won 34-9. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

We are heading into a big week for the Detroit Lions. With free agency set to kick off, what are the five burning questions the Lions need to answer?

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According to Over The Cap, the Lions have $17.01 million in cap space available. Just about every dollar will be needed for them to retain their key free agents, and that’s before they can think of building on the roster.

The Lions currently have 17 free agents. Top of the list? Ndamukong Suh–we will discuss the situation in regards to him a little later.

Obviously, Suh has dominated the headlines and speculation this offseason for the Lions. Behind him are a number of talented players they will be hoping to bring back to Detroit. Among them are defensive tackles Nick Fairley and C.J. Mosley, cornerback Rashean Mathis and guard Rob Sims.

So, what are the five free-agency questions the Lions need to answer?

Next: Why, oh why?

Sep 8, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

How will they replace Ndamukong Suh?

Let’s get straight to the point. How?! Why?!

How did the Detroit Lions allow a player of Ndamukong Suh’s caliber hit free agency? And why did they let it happen?

Yes, Suh was always going to be expensive. But players like him don’t come around every day, and the Lions’ loss looks like it’s going to be the Miami Dolphins’ gain:

You can’t blame the Lions for not paying that amount of money. For a defensive tackle, that is an expensive bill. To put it into some perspective, Aaron Rodgers‘ contract with the Green Bay Packers totals $110 million with $54 million guaranteed. Rodgers is arguably the best player in the league, at the most important position in football. Paying Suh more than Rodgers is a risky move for the Dolphins.

Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) prior to facing the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Lions did the right thing in not paying that sum for Suh. Where they went wrong was not preventing him from getting anywhere near March 10 without committing his long-term future to the Lions.

Barring a miracle, Suh will be heading south to Miami. The Lions will need to move on.

How can they do so? Well, they have options in free agency. First of all, they must bring back Nick Fairley. Losing both Suh and Fairley could be devastating to the defense.

Following that, Denver’s Terrance Knighton, Chicago’s Stephen Paea and Arizona’s Dan Williams would be good options for the Lions.

If they turn to the draft, Florida State’s Eddie Goldman and Oklahoma’s Jordan Phillips could be first-round candidates.

Next: Help on the way in the run game?

Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions running back

(21) celebrates his touchdown run in the first quarter past Dallas Cowboys strong safety

(42) and

(59) in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

What’s next for the run game?

Reggie Bush won’t be celebrating like he is in the picture above in a Detroit Lions uniform any time soon. He was released at the end of February. So what’s next?

None of the $17.01 million in cap space will be going to Suh. We now know that much. But how much of it will be going to a running back?

There’s two ways the Lions can go. They can take the more expensive route and pay a veteran in free agency, or they can take their chances in the draft but get a much cheaper deal out of it.

Let’s look at both.

The standout back in free agency is Dallas Cowboys’ DeMarco Murray. Murray is coming off the back of a career-best season, rushing 392 times for 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns. He ranked first in the NFL for running backs and it wasn’t even close. In second-place was Pittsburgh’s Le’Veon Bell, who rushed for 1,361 yards. Murray finished with the 17th-highest rushing yardage total in NFL history.

The concern for Murray is his health. 2014 was the first time that he has featured in all 16 games of the season. Dallas pounded the rock with Murray 392 times last year; more than anybody else in the NFL. LeSean McCoy was his nearest rival in carries with 312.

Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions running back

(35) carries the ball against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

How much would have that taken out of him? Will it affect his longevity in the NFL?

That remains unclear, and maybe the Lions would be wise to stay clear of Murray. Teams look to sign free agents on what they can offer in the future, not what they’ve done in the past.

Justin Forsett and Shane Vereen would be nice fits in Detroit, although they too are likely to have a number of offers on the table.

The Lions’ best bet could be in the draft. This year features a number of talented running backs. With the 23rd-overall selection, the Lions could find themselves with the pick of the bunch. Georgia’s Todd Gurley has been likened to Marshawn Lynch, and he would certainly be a good option for them in the first-round. Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon is poised to be a star in the NFL also.

Later on, the Lions could bring in a hot prospect like Jay Ajayi or Duke Johnson. As late as the fourth-round they could possibly land Minnesota’s David Cobb, and he too has the makings of a solid NFL player.

Fortunately for the Lions, they have options in the draft to find a replacement for Reggie Bush. Whether they can avoid the temptation of making a splash in free agency… only time will tell.

Next: The offensive struggles need to end

Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback

(9) reacts during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Can Joe Lombardi fix the offense?

On paper, the Detroit Lions have a dangerous offense. Matthew Stafford isn’t elite, but he shouldn’t need to be when he has Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate to throw the football too. The double-team of Reggie Bush and Joique Bell sure did look intriguing too. 

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So what went wrong in 2014?

The Lions finished 19th in overall offense: 12th in passing and 28th in rushing. The main concern was on the ground.

The run game can’t take all the blame, however. The passing attack finished third in the NFL in 2013. What caused it to drop to 12th this past year? It wasn’t the free agent signing of Golden Tate; he was a solid all season as he posted a career-high 1,331 yards.

Calvin Johnson wasn’t healthy and missed three games. He was used simply as a decoy for opposing defenses in some of the games he did in fact play. It’s important that he returns to 100 percent in time for the 2015 season.

Stafford needs to step up his game, too. His main issue is against playoff teams, particularly on the road. Stafford is 0-17 in road games to teams that have reached the playoffs that season. He has to break that horrendous streak.

The personnel is almost there. The Lions need to address the running back position, of course, but they could also do with some more help elsewhere.

The offensive line needs shoring up. Stafford was sacked a career-high 45 times. They could also do with adding a third wide receiver to compliment Johnson and Tate in the passing game.

On offense, the pieces are almost there. If Stafford can be kept upright and has consistent play from his receivers, his 2015 statistics might further resemble his 41-16 touchdown pass-to-interception ratio of 2011 as opposed to the 22-12 ratio he achieved last term.

If he can do that, expect the offense to fly back up the rankings.

Next: Cap space is a premium

Aug 15, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Detroit Lions general manager

duirng the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Will there be any more roster cuts?

While the Detroit Lions are nicely placed with $17.01 million in cap space available, general manager Martin Mayhew may wish to clear some more space if the Lions plan on being active in free agency.

The Lions don’t have a whole lot of options in regards to making major cap savings. There are a few, however.

Oct 19, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end

(91) against the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field. Lions defeated the Saints 24-23. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive end Jason Jones could save the Lions $3.20 million in cap space. It would seem an improbable move as the 28-year-old is a key starting player on the defensive line. With Suh heading for the exit and Nick Fairley a free agent, cutting Jones wouldn’t help the continuity of the defensive line and would leave another hole for the Lions to fill.

Releasing safety James Ihedigbo would save the Lions $1.63 million in cap space. The 31-year-old played in 13 games last season and made four interceptions. If Mayhew opted to select a defensive back in the draft, maybe he would see Ihedigbo as expendable.

Wide receiver Ryan Broyles may be the man to go. A second-round pick in 2012, he has failed to deliver for the Lions. Broyles has struggled to stay healthy in Detroit; he’s suffered a torn ACL and a ruptured Achilles tendon, and has featured in just 21 games out of a possible 48.

Cutting Broyles would free up $891,614 in cap space for the Lions. They may look to find a replacement in the draft.

Next: Making progress?

Sep 21, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions offensive line lines up against Green Bay Packers defensive line during the game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Who can the Lions sign to help close the gap on the Packers?

The Detroit Lions had a fantastic opportunity to win their first NFC North championship in Week 17 of the 2014 season. A victory at Lambeau Field over a hobbled Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers would have given the Lions a division crown and the number-two NFC playoff seed.

Dec 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

If they’re not careful, they might not get a shot as good as that a year from now.

The Lions and Packers have had contrasting emotions in the past few days. At one end of the free agency spectrum, the Packers re-signed star receiver Randall Cobb to a long-term deal. On the other end, the Lions look set to lose their dominant force in Suh.

It’s early days in the offseason, but it’s not the start the Lions would have wanted. There’s plenty of time to turn things around, however.

With the Packers likely to keep getting stronger, the Lions must keep up if they are to win the NFC North in 2015. They need to add a talented defensive tackle like Denver’s Terrance Knighton to try and plug the hole left by Suh.

In the draft, the Lions need to build on a talented roster. Improving on a dominant defense is the key: Adding pieces to the secondary will be crucial to slowing down Aaron Rodgers, while maintaining the solid run-stuffing ability up front also takes priority.

On offense, the Lions need to perform much better. The pieces are almost all in place to be successful; it just comes down to execution.

There is a lot yet to play out in the offseason. Free agency starts the journey of building a roster that will finish in early May after the 2015 NFL Draft. If the Lions can add the relevant pieces and retain the services of their own important free agents, they can begin to dream of a first NFC North championship.

Next: Detroit Lions: 5 Offseason moves to make with Suh's departure

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