The Detroit Lions have the biggest hole left unfilled in the NFC North division, but is it at cornerback or running back? Its both. Definitely both.
Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL Sports Debate. Two brothers from New York yell, scream, and debate sports.
TODD:
Now that free agency has passed and the NFL Draft is over, teams’ rosters are pretty much set for the 2016 NFL season. There will be some movement with undrafted free agents and small things like that, but from here on out, it is unlikely any team makes a splash in any department.
With that, let’s take a look through the league, division by division, to spot the biggest holes that still remain on rosters. These aren’t necessarily season-killers since certain teams will be able to overcome holes better than others, but these are the most glaring roster deficiencies.
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Let us begin with the NFC North.
In the North, a few teams addressed big needs in the draft, as is common. The Chicago Bears needed pass rushing and got it with their first-round pick, Leonard Floyd. The Detroit Lions needed a left tackle and took Taylor Decker in the first round, etc.
The biggest need still remaining in this division in my mind is still on Detroit though. The Lions need cornerback help and were unable to fix that issue in the draft. Via Ourlads, their starting corners are expected to be Darius Slay and Nevin Lawson. Last year, Detroit was the 20th-ranked pass defense according to Football Outsiders. I don’t see how that improves based on the secondary. It will have to come down to pass rushing. There are some veteran options that Detroit may be able to pick up over the summer, but anyone still available at this point is not a game-changer.
Detroit probably isn’t winning this division with or without a credible secondary. It isn’t quite good enough elsewhere either. But this still feels like the biggest roster hole in the division. Do you see anyone else with a bigger hole in the NFC North than the Lions at cornerback?
DAN:
Not to pile on the Detroit Lions, but I too think they have the biggest hole left unfilled. Its not at cornerback, however, but in the offensive backfield at the running back position. The Lions were league worst, averaging only 83.4 yards per game on the ground last season.
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Detroit drafted several offensive lineman which will certainly help to improve the run game, but they did not make an upgrade to the position itself. Running back Dwayne Washington out of Washington was drafted in the seventh round, otherwise its Ameer Abdullah currently in line to carry the ball for the Lions in 2016.
Detroit has two more backs on its depth chart, so obviously they are searching for anyone to step up and take over. It has not yet happened. Detroit released Joique Bell, but I’m not convinced Abdullah is their guy after recording less than 600 yards on the ground last season.
I’m not sure that the Lions are the worst team in the NFC North heading into the season. That honor still belongs to the Bears until proven otherwise. But with the retirement of their best offensive weapon, Matthew Stafford is going to need his running game to pull some of the burden off his shoulders. I don’t see it happening much better than last season, no matter how much of an impact Detroit’s rookie offensive lineman are able to make.
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The Lions may have a hole in their secondary, but their offensive weakness from last season isn’t looking any better either. With so many quality running backs in free agency and the draft, one should have fallen to the Lions. None did, giving them the honor of having the biggest holes to fill of any team in the North division.