With free agency next week and the draft next month, the Lions are about to dive into the offseason. How will they look on the other side?
Here are two Honolulu Blueprints, from Costa & Jansen, featuring three free agent signings and two draft picks. Both of them feature Khalil Mack.
Costa's Blueprint
Free Agent 1: Khalil Mack, two years, $45 million: "No issue in year one absorbing Khalil Mack. Year two is when the cap crunch comes in, but they can restructure in year two if he delivers in year one. Dependable -- missed one game the last three years. Sack machine, but also good against the run, an every-down player. Perfect marriage: he’s at the end of his carer chasing a title, and the Lions are chasing a Super Bowl and need one guy off the edge to pair with Aidan Hutchinson."
Free Agent 2: Carlton Davis III, three years, $42 million: "He’s a priority. I want him back. He’s good against the run, he can play man coverage, he can be a No. 1, and then I’m not throwing Terrion Arnold into the fire in year two expecting him to be the No. 1 corner on a Super Bowl team. It makes sense for Detroit to bring him back."
Free Agent 3: Mike Williams, one year, $6 million: "The big, jump-ball, red-zone 'X' receiver that perfectly complements St. Brown underneath and Jamo taking the top off the defense."
First-round pick: Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen: "At Ole Miss was a game-wrecker. Stops the run and what I like is the pass-rushing upside. Alim McNeill is hurt to start the season. Nolen starts Day 1 and then I’ve got both of them for the stretch run."
Second-round pick: Ohio State OL Donovan Jackson: "Guard in the NFL. some versatility to water the garden."
Jansen's Blueprint
Free Agent 1: Khalil Mack, two years, $20 million per year: "Career-high in sacks two years ago. Pressure rate was still there last year. You also keep Za’Darius Smith, get Aidan Hutchinson back, Mack makes this pass rush and this defensive front so much more consistent, and that’s where this team needs to be."
Free Agents 2/3: Carlton Davis (three years) and Kevin Zeitler (one year)
Free Agent 4: guard Brandon Scherff: "Hasn’t missed a start in the last three years. A Zeitler-esque signing. By doing that, you have the ability to make Graham Glasgow the swing guard and he backs up all three of those guys inside. You have a big, strong, physical interior trio, and flexibility with Glasgow."
First draft pick: Trade back from No. 28 for Minnesota OL Aireontae Ersery in round two: "Could play tackle eventually, plug and play on the interior. If you’re going to lose Taylor Decker for a few games throughout the course of the season, you could move Penei Sewell to left tackle and plug in Ersery at right. And now you have a guy who can back up four positions up front and you can move on from Colby Sorsdal. That ship has sailed."
Second draft pick: Trade up from No. 60 for Michigan DT Kenneth Grant: "Not as polished as some and his projection is late first, early second. I do think he is an early second. So jump up to get him. He is plug and play. Not going to be a starter, but a guy who will eat up blocks, take on two blocks and now if you’re double-teaming him against the run, you got Mack, Hutchinson, McNeill. Who do you double team, him or McNeill? He’s a big body that they don’t have."
