NFL Offseason 2019: Ranking the 5 most improved NFC teams
By Lucas Schuh
5. Detroit Lions
2018 was the beginning of the Matt Patricia era for the Detroit Lions and it did not get off to a good start. The Lions finished the past season in the bottom half of both total team offense and total team defense. This offseason could possibly turn things around for Patricia and the Lions, though.
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The Lions’ draft was an interesting one. They made two pretty good picks while everything else was kind of mediocre or questionable. In the fifth round, the Lions selected Amani Oruwariye, who is a good cornerback and should challenge the more established defensive backs for some playing time.
The one player that the Lions undeniably hit on was T.J Hockenson. Hockenson might have been a reach of a pick at No. 8. But overall, Hockenson is the best tight end in this draft. Hockenson can do it all, from being a solid pass and run blocker to running routes and receiving.
The one thing that the Lions hit on this offseason was free agency. Before being the head coach of the Lions, Matt Patrica was the defensive coordinator of the New England Patriots and it seems some of his players wanted to join him. The Lions gave Matt Stafford an extra weapon in the form of former New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola, but the biggest pickup they made was another former Patriot in Trey Flowers.
Flowers had an absolute career year with the Patriots last year. He finished last season with a career high in sacks and caused havoc in the AFC East.
The Lions might not win the NFC North but with the new pieces they added in the 2019 NFL offseason, they should be able to compete with the top teams in the NFC North like the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers