2024 Detroit Lions: Draft complete. (17 Viewers)

[BobbyLayne]

The Detroit News reports the Lions and John Cominsky re-worked the veteran defensive lineman’s contract. Cominsky reduced his base from $5.1 million to $2.5 million, with his cap hit falling from $6.3 to $4.2 million. The veteran provides depth on the defensive line, on the outside and inside, as one of those beloved versatile trench players around these parts. Cominsky started a career-high 11 games last season after his 2022 breakout campaign. His numbers were down. But he fills a need, and it’s impossible to ignore the culture fit and how he recently thrived in this scheme. And even with Marcus Davenport joining and Cominsky sticking around, the Lions still need more for their defensive line across the board.

 

[Moonlight]

Does the CB signings increase the likelihood that a pass rusher is drafted at one? Townsend looks like he will help there but might be DE 3. For Davis to play press our pass rush needs to improve to help Hutchison.

Principal draft needs are IOL, DE, CB and WR.

And DT

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Does the CB signings increase the likelihood that a pass rusher is drafted at one? Townsend looks like he will help there but might be DE 3. For Davis to play press our pass rush needs to improve to help Hutchison.

Principal draft needs are IOL, DE, CB and WR.

And DT

I have no idea what Holmes will do but my guess would be someone on one of the lines. Leaning IOL since as of now they seem be missing a left guard.

 

[Zeppelin]

Dan Skipper signs again for one year.

Gardner-Johnson back to the Eagles for 3 years, $33 million.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Gardner-Johnson back to the Eagles for 3 years, $33 million.

Anyone want to buy a slightly used blue ski mask?

 

[Zeppelin]

Michigan man in hospice, who dyed hair blue for Detroit Lions playoff run, has died

 

[BobbyLayne]

Dan Skipper signs again for one year.

Still has never made a 53 man out of TC

Easy guy to root for

 

[Ray Barboni]

Chauncey Gardner-Johnson leaving so soon is a bit surprising.

I thought that maybe, ya know, he was all about it here (ski mask BS). He wasn’t worth the ~33mil he got to go back to Philly though.

 

[msudaisy26]

Chauncey Gardner-Johnson leaving so soon is a bit surprising.

I thought that maybe, ya know, he was all about it here (ski mask BS). He wasn’t worth the ~33mil he got to go back to Philly though.

I would rather have CJGJ and my 3rd round pick at 33 million for 3 years then Davis and 2 sixth round picks for one year.

 

[jon_mx]

Chauncey Gardner-Johnson leaving so soon is a bit surprising.

I thought that maybe, ya know, he was all about it here (ski mask BS). He wasn’t worth the ~33mil he got to go back to Philly though.

I would rather have CJGJ and my 3rd round pick at 33 million for 3 years then Davis and 2 sixth round picks for one year.

Davis fills a glaring need of a guy who can cover a top WR. While we have very good safeties. This was not a close call.

 

[msudaisy26]

Chauncey Gardner-Johnson leaving so soon is a bit surprising.

I thought that maybe, ya know, he was all about it here (ski mask BS). He wasn’t worth the ~33mil he got to go back to Philly though.

I would rather have CJGJ and my 3rd round pick at 33 million for 3 years then Davis and 2 sixth round picks for one year.

Davis fills a glaring need of a guy who can cover a top WR. While we have very good safeties. This was not a close call.

Davis hasn't been very good in a few years. His last really good year was when the Bucs won it all with Brady and a great defensive line.

 

[Moonlight]

Gardner-Johnson back to the Eagles for 3 years, $33 million.

Anyone want to buy a slightly used blue ski mask?

Really questioned his fit when he took that revenge cheap shot penalty in the NFC championship game. Lot of things went wrong for the Lions to lose that game and that was one of them.

And of course the blue ski mask thing was not good for the brand and just plain scratchy and uncomfortable.

 

[BobbyLayne]

DJ Reader 2019-2023 PFF Grades
(rank among Interior DL - Min. 350 Snaps):

• 2023 - 82.2 (11th)
• 2022 - 85.2 (6th)
• 2021 - 79.5 (9th)
• 2020 - Only 259 snaps (Torn left Quad)
• 2019 - 85.4 (7th)

Consistently the NFL’s best Nose Tackle not named Dexter Lawrence.

Being widely reported he’s coming to Detroit for an in person meeting.

 

[BobbyLayne]

How Good is Carlton Davis III? 2023 Film Study of the Lions New Cornerback​

Good breakdown from All 22 Films

 

[Payne]

I know its taboo to bash Brad, but I am underwhelmed. Would have liked Hunter opposite Hutch.
Feel like we are not "building" at this point. We are there.....make a big move to put us over the top.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

DJ Reader 2019-2023 PFF Grades
(rank among Interior DL - Min. 350 Snaps):

• 2023 - 82.2 (11th)
• 2022 - 85.2 (6th)
• 2021 - 79.5 (9th)
• 2020 - Only 259 snaps (Torn left Quad)
• 2019 - 85.4 (7th)

Consistently the NFL’s best Nose Tackle not named Dexter Lawrence.

Being widely reported he’s coming to Detroit for an in person meeting.

Reader seems like a perfect fit on a line with Alim and Hutch.

 

[BobbyLayne]

I know its taboo to bash Brad, but I am underwhelmed. Would have liked Hunter opposite Hutch.
Feel like we are not "building" at this point. We are there.....make a big move to put us over the top.

I think he’s doing exactly what he said he would - solid upgrades which still allow them to resign their owns guys.

Also, not done yet.

IDC if we “win” free agency. Take a look at the 2022 FA class - of the Top 11, 7 are no longer with the team they signed with, and 2 more took big pay cuts this year.

Just as a reminder, this is a free agent ranking from 2022—Seven of the 11 guys listed below, two years later, are no longer with the teams that signed them. Two of the four that are still with their teams just took big paycuts.

A lot of mistakes will be made this week.

https://x.com/albertbreer/status/1767225418824741263?s=46&t=NQRvg0aI0VO9BxTPFWq_zA

 

[Snotbubbles]

Gardner-Johnson back to the Eagles for 3 years, $33 million.

Anyone want to buy a slightly used blue ski mask?

Really questioned his fit when he took that revenge cheap shot penalty in the NFC championship game. Lot of things went wrong for the Lions to lose that game and that was one of them.

And of course the blue ski mask thing was not good for the brand and just plain scratchy and uncomfortable.

I'm glad he's coming back to Philly, he brings attitude to the defense.

 

[jon_mx]

The Lions are making solid moves.

At CB we have basically swapped Harris/Dorsey/Lucas with Robertson/Davis/Moseley. That is a huge upgrade. We should go from terrible to above average.

At DE, we swapped Okarwa with Davenport. Yes, Davenport missed most of last season and disappointed for the Vikings. But he was a damn solid DE in NO. He will be a good piece opposite Hutch.

Losing CJGJ was nothing. He did nothing memorable in the limited time he did play and we have a good group of safeties. Jonah was great when he played, but we got along fine without him. We need to find some depth in FA.

Assuming we do not make any huge play during FA, we will be drafting OL-DE-CB first three rounds despite Brad's insistence we draft players not positions.

We were not that far away last season, and we have absolutely made significant improvements in our only two weak areas. If we can get a couple of impact players in the draft, we will be golden to have another run at the SB in 2024.

 

[BobbyLayne]

FA still available:

EDGE:

• Chase Young
• Jadaveon Clowney
• Calais Campbell
• D.J. Wonnum
• Mike Danna

CB:

• Kendall Fuller
• Isaac Yiadom
• Steven Nelson
• Myles Bryant
• Michael Jackson Sr.
• Nick McLoud
• Stephon Gilmore
• Ahkello Witherspoon

G:

• Greg Van Roten
• Kevin Zeitler
• Jon Feliciano
• Mark Glowinski
• Trystan Colon
• Dalton Risner
• Robert Jones

IDL:

• DJ Reader
• Arik Armstead
• Jerry Tillery
• Sheldon Rankins
• Sebastian Joseph-Day
• Adam Butler

WR:

• Calvin Ridley
• Josh Reynolds
• Rashid Shaheed
• Marquise Brown
• Curtis Samuel
• Odell Beckham Jr.

S:

• Jordan Whitehead
• Julian Blackmon
• Jordan Fuller
• Kameron Curl
• K'Von Wallace
• DeShon Elliott
• Justin Simmons

 

[BobbyLayne]

Off-season recap (3 hours before new league year begins):

• Released: S Tracy Walker
• Re-signed: K Michael Badgley(one year, $1.292M)
• Re-signed: LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin (two years, $7.5M)
• Re-signed: RB Zonovan Knight(one year, $985K)
• Re-signed: TE Shane Zylstra(TBD)
• Re-signed: CB Emmanuel Moseley (one year, $1.125M)
• Re-signed: G Graham Glasgow(three years, $20M)
• Signed: EDGE Marcus Davenport(one year, $6.5M)
• Acquired via trade: CB Carlton Davis III
• Signed: CB Amik Robertson (two years, $9.25M)
• Re-signed: G Dan Skipper (TBD)

Also tendered Craig Reynolds & Brock Wright. James Houston IV is an ERFA but nothing reported yet.

 

[swabs]

I know its taboo to bash Brad, but I am underwhelmed. Would have liked Hunter opposite Hutch.
Feel like we are not "building" at this point. We are there.....make a big move to put us over the top.

Making splash free agency moves is not how you stay good long-term. Pay to keep your guys, draft well and fill in with low cost/high upside when needed.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Proven performance escalators have kicked in for the fourth year of the contracts for Detroit's 2021 draft class. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Alim McNeill and Derrick Barnes all qualified, raising their collective 2024 cap hits from $4.13M to $10.26M.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Introductory presser for CB Carlton Davis III:

"You about to get a lockdown corner. You about to have one side of the field unavailable. That’s what I do. I'm here to take the No. 1 receiver on any team, I'm here to deny the ball and take the ball away."

 

[Moonlight]

DJ Reader coming to town tomorrow to talk with Lions.
If price is right would really solidify defensive line. Davenport if he can stay healthy with Reader would make DL a strength.

 

[Moonlight]

Gardner-Johnson back to the Eagles for 3 years, $33 million.

Anyone want to buy a slightly used blue ski mask?

Really questioned his fit when he took that revenge cheap shot penalty in the NFC championship game. Lot of things went wrong for the Lions to lose that game and that was one of them.

And of course the blue ski mask thing was not good for the brand and just plain scratchy and uncomfortable.

I'm glad he's coming back to Philly, he brings attitude to the defense.

Didn’t he trash Philly fans? I have heard the term loose cannon used in reference to players and I think it fits here.
Philly will not be forgiving if he stumbles.

 

[Ilov80s]

Introductory presser for CB Carlton Davis III:

"You about to get a lockdown corner. You about to have one side of the field unavailable. That’s what I do. I'm here to take the No. 1 receiver on any team, I'm here to deny the ball and take the ball away."

Said Tampa got away with man cover schemes so you can't judge him from last year as well. Regardless he's an upgrade as long as healthy. I am super excited.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Introductory presser for CB Carlton Davis III:

"You about to get a lockdown corner. You about to have one side of the field unavailable. That’s what I do. I'm here to take the No. 1 receiver on any team, I'm here to deny the ball and take the ball away."

Said Tampa got away with man cover schemes so you can't judge him from last year as well. Regardless he's an upgrade as long as healthy. I am super excited.

He only gave up 4 receptions for 27 yards in 2 g vs the Lions last year

Of course this is the play everyone remembers (#24 getting rocked by Craig aka Block of the Year)

 

[Ilov80s]

Introductory presser for CB Carlton Davis III:

"You about to get a lockdown corner. You about to have one side of the field unavailable. That’s what I do. I'm here to take the No. 1 receiver on any team, I'm here to deny the ball and take the ball away."

Said Tampa got away with man cover schemes so you can't judge him from last year as well. Regardless he's an upgrade as long as healthy. I am super excited.

He only gave up 4 receptions for 27 yards in 2 g vs the Lions last year

Of course this is the play everyone remembers (#24 getting rocked by Craig aka Block of the Year)

He got streamed into the next dimension

 

[Ilov80s]

I will go on record with saying this Calrton Davis addition is huge. He ofcourse needs to stay healthy, but when he is on the field I think it's a massive upgrade for the Lions. Massive.

 

[BobbyLayne]

The Lions have placed an ERFA tender on James Houston. 1 yr @ $915K.

 

[BobbyLayne]

I will go on record with saying this Calrton Davis addition is huge. He ofcourse needs to stay healthy, but when he is on the field I think it's a massive upgrade for the Lions. Massive.

He’s a good scheme fit. Hopefully he can stay on the field, I def think he has CB1 talent. Hopefully Sutton will perform better as a CB2, he was pathetic last year. Right now it’s just a one year merc deal so hopefully they’ll still add a rookie at #29 or #61.

Robertson is a good signing. Good #3 who can fill in as a Slot or outside. Graded out well in both roles the last 2 years but that was playing only 60% of snaps.

Moseley is a pretty good CB4. Obvs there’s a risk he never regains his explosiveness but that was a team friendly cheap insurance move.

BB has Slot corner locked down, kid is really good both in coverage and coming downhill in run support

Hopefully we don’t fill out the 90 man with anyone named Dorsey, Will Harris, Jacobs, Lucas, or Vildor. Steven Gilmore will be back + 1-2 rookies or cheap FA.

Brandon Joseph is the only S behind Iffy and Kerby so we’ll need more depth there. But overall I expect the defensive backfield to be an improvement, presuming we add a couple through the draft + UDFA..

 

[jon_mx]

I will go on record with saying this Calrton Davis addition is huge. He ofcourse needs to stay healthy, but when he is on the field I think it's a massive upgrade for the Lions. Massive.

The collective media and social media is convinced Brad is an idiot, as everybody seems to want some splash name player costing $25 million. Our secondary will be respectable and we won't have opposition QBs drooling everytime we are in man coverage.

 

[BobbyLayne]

I will go on record with saying this Calrton Davis addition is huge. He ofcourse needs to stay healthy, but when he is on the field I think it's a massive upgrade for the Lions. Massive.

The collective media and social media is convinced Brad is an idiot, as everybody seems to want some splash name player costing $25 million. Our secondary will be respectable and we won't have opposition QBs drooling everytime we are in man coverage.

Who?

PFF podcast liked what the Lions have done so far. The Athletic podcast had praise for Holmes judicious approach.

Valenti trashed him, but also - jot this down - water is wet. Detroit’s beat writers are just stating the obvious; Brad is doing what he said he would, and he keeps receipts - let him cook.

I couldn’t tell you what was said on ESPN or the shouty shows.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Looking at the PFF Grades for All 32 teams, the Lions received a B+.

DETROIT LIONS

Released: S Tracy Walker
Re-signed: K Michael Badgley (one year, $1.292M)
Re-signed: LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin (two years, $7.5M)
Re-signed: RB Zonovan Knight (one year, $985K)
Re-signed: TE Shane Zylstra (TBD)
Re-signed: CB Emmanuel Moseley (one year, $1.125M)
Re-signed: G Graham Glasgow (three years, $20M)
Signed: EDGE Marcus Davenport (one year, $6.5M)
Acquired via trade: CB Carlton Davis III
Signed: CB Amik Robertson (two years, $9.25M)
Re-signed: G Dan Skipper (TBD)

Detroit appears to have made its decision between two pending free agent guards, electing to retain the veteran Glasgow over the younger Jonah Jackson, though there is still time. Glasgow can play all three interior positions, and his return to Detroit in 2023 was a win for all parties.

Robertson is a scrappy cornerback who plays above his size and adds another piece to a Lions secondary that also struck a deal to acquire former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis in a trade. The interesting next step here will be whether Cam Sutton kicks inside to more of a nickel role or Detroit asks Robertson to do so after he seemed to hold up a bit better out wide with Las Vegas.

Davenport has all the talent in the world and can win with speed to power as an interior rusher and with torque off the edge. He reunites with a coaching staff he spent extensive time with in New Orleans. He barely stepped on the field in 2023, so this is a solid one-year flier. Teams will clearly keep giving that talent and upside a chance, and we can’t knock the idea, especially with a Lions team that needs more juice up front.

PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE: B+

---

6 teams received an A or A- grade, and none of them are Super Bowl LIX contenders.

NFC North
Chicago B-
Detroit B+
Green Bay B
Minnesota A-

SB Contenders
Baltimore B
Buffalo C+
Cincinnati B+
Dallas N/A
Detroit B+
Kansas City B
Philadelphia B+
San Francisco C+

Super Bowl Odds

• 49ers +500
• Chiefs +650
• Ravens +900
• Bills +1200
• Cowboys +1300
• Lions +1300
• Bengals +1500
• Eagles +1600
• Packers +2200
• Bears +5000
• Vikings +7500

 

[BobbyLayne]

"I kind of feel like they put a lot of trust in me and they did good by me and I wanted to come back and do as good as I can by them."

- Graham Glasgow

 

[Leroy Hoard]

The Lions have placed an ERFA tender on James Houston. 1 yr @ $915K.

25 years old, time for him to earn a bigger and longer contract, only by staying healthy and performing again this year.

 

[Payne]

I know its taboo to bash Brad, but I am underwhelmed. Would have liked Hunter opposite Hutch.
Feel like we are not "building" at this point. We are there.....make a big move to put us over the top.

Making splash free agency moves is not how you stay good long-term. Pay to keep your guys, draft well and fill in with low cost/high upside when needed.

Not really worried about long term. Are you? OR do you want to win a Super Bowl?

 

[BobbyLayne]

The Lions have placed an ERFA tender on James Houston. 1 yr @ $915K.

25 years old, time for him to earn a bigger and longer contract, only by staying healthy and performing again this year.

Seems like a guy that would probably flourish in a 3-4 scheme in a TJ Watt type role. They want a 4-I/5-tech type opposite Hutch’s Wide 9. He’s too small to set the edge and not good enough in coverage to be a Sam or off ball LB.

Talented specialist but probably won’t ever see more than 20-25 snaps even if he is completely healthy. I think when they drafted him they thought they were getting a multiple since he played off ball in the SEC (as a backup) and Edge at the HBCU. That’s not who he is, and while fans love his production I think the staff feels like the more he plays the less valuable he has been.

 

[Da Guru]

I will go on record with saying this Calrton Davis addition is huge. He ofcourse needs to stay healthy, but when he is on the field I think it's a massive upgrade for the Lions. Massive.

The collective media and social media is convinced Brad is an idiot, as everybody seems to want some splash name player costing $25 million. Our secondary will be respectable and we won't have opposition QBs drooling everytime we are in man coverage.

Who?

PFF podcast liked what the Lions have done so far. The Athletic podcast had praise for Holmes judicious approach.

Valenti trashed him, but also - jot this down - water is wet. Detroit’s beat writers are just stating the obvious; Brad is doing what he said he would, and he keeps receipts - let him cook.

I couldn’t tell you what was said on ESPN or the shouty shows.

Valenti is the worst as he is wrong about 80% of the time about everything.

I get that his schtick is to stir the pot to get more listeners but he is so tiresome to listen to. Doug and Gator actually talk sports instead of schtick.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Holmes and Campbell were extended through 2027.

Lions announce extensions for Brad Holmes, Dan Campbell and Chris Spielman

The Lions announced joint contract extensions for general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell, extending their deals until 2027.

www.detroitnews.com

 

[BobbyLayne]

Holmes and Campbell were extended through 2027.

Lions announce extensions for Brad Holmes, Dan Campbell and Chris Spielman

The Lions announced joint contract extensions for general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell, extending their deals until 2027.

www.detroitnews.com

They also announced Spielman got a multi-year extension

 

[Zeppelin]

Valenti is the worst as he is wrong about 80% of the time about everything.

I get that his schtick is to stir the pot to get more listeners but he is so tiresome to listen to. Doug and Gator actually talk sports instead of schtick.

Doug and Gators show is my favorite show that they've ever had and Valenti has the worst. It's not only the bad shtick but the stupid and terrible comedy club BS.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Valenti is the worst as he is wrong about 80% of the time about everything.

I get that his schtick is to stir the pot to get more listeners but he is so tiresome to listen to. Doug and Gator actually talk sports instead of schtick.

Doug and Gators show is my favorite show that they've ever had and Valenti has the worst. It's not only the bad shtick but the stupid and terrible comedy club BS.

It's like the Jerky Boys minus the funny parts.

 

[swabs]

I know its taboo to bash Brad, but I am underwhelmed. Would have liked Hunter opposite Hutch.
Feel like we are not "building" at this point. We are there.....make a big move to put us over the top.

Making splash free agency moves is not how you stay good long-term. Pay to keep your guys, draft well and fill in with low cost/high upside when needed.

Not really worried about long term. Are you? OR do you want to win a Super Bowl?

Well if you're consistently good, your super bowl odds are higher than if you get 1 shot and then your team loses everyone and sucks AGAIN. I don't want to have to watch a team win 5 games for a long time.

 

[Payne]

I know its taboo to bash Brad, but I am underwhelmed. Would have liked Hunter opposite Hutch.
Feel like we are not "building" at this point. We are there.....make a big move to put us over the top.

Making splash free agency moves is not how you stay good long-term. Pay to keep your guys, draft well and fill in with low cost/high upside when needed.

Not really worried about long term. Are you? OR do you want to win a Super Bowl?

Well if you're consistently good, your super bowl odds are higher than if you get 1 shot and then your team loses everyone and sucks AGAIN. I don't want to have to watch a team win 5 games for a long time.

You don't get many opportunities. The division got better. The playoff contenders got better.
We did get better, but I question whether it's enough. Hunter would have been awesome across from Hutch.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Happy Pi Day

(also I interpret that to mean they won’t be resigning Charles Harris)

 

[Leroy Hoard]

A digest of the Reader signing:

Detroit Lions sign run-stuffer D.J. Reader — their 4th key defensive addition of offseason

Detroit Lions add D.J. Reader, continuing focus on defense this offseason after trading for Carlton Davis & signing Marcus Davenport, Amik Robertson.

www.freep.com

 

[Ilov80s]

I would love to see an Armstead or DJ Reader signing. I wonder what the price for a guy like Connor Williams is? He's 26, has experience at G and C, is an absolute stud but with an ACL tear in December, he might not be ready for 2024. If he's affordable because of the injury, that could be a sneaky good move. Maybe add a S like John Johnson (who Holmes scouted for the Rams). He's experienced and productive. He's a good cover guy, plays well in the box and like CJGJ can play lots of roles on the defense. Hopefully with James Houston tendered, we can see him healthy and rush the passer.

 

[Ilov80s]

Oh wait, we got Reader? HELL YES