PFF gave the Detroit Lions the highest offseason grade of any NFL team this year. Here’s why.
It’s been a memorable offseason for the Detroit Lions . Not only did they make some uncharacteristically aggressive moves in free agency. Not only did they get even more aggressive in the NFL Draft . But they also locked up three of their biggest foundational pieces on long-term, reasonable contracts that ensure Detroit will be in contention for years to come.
The offseason was so good that PFF gave the Lions the best offseason great of all 32 teams . Detroit was the only team to earn an A+ for their offseason moves.
“It was a stellar offseason for the Lions, as they made major additions with minimal subtractions,” PFF’s Trevor Sikkema wrote. “They no longer have C.J. Gardner-Johnson or Jonah Jackson, but they brought in D.J. Reader, Carlton Davis, Marcus Davenport and Kevin Zeitler in free agency.”
Indeed, Detroit has done a good job keeping together the core of the team that earned them a trip to the NFC Championship last year. Though 11 of their free agents now have a new home , only three (Josh Reynolds, Jonah Jackson, and Benito Jones) played a significant amount of snaps on offense or defense. Detroit replaced Jackson with Kevin Zeitler and Jones with DJ Reader—both arguably improvements. That said, Detroit has not adequately replaced Reynolds.
Sikkema also praised the Lions’ draft, simply saying, “They nailed it.”
While the Lions did make some controversial moves throughout draft weekend—like trading a future third-round pick for developmental tackle Giovanni Manu—the overwhelming opinion was that the Lions got great value out of nearly all their picks , resulting in a top-10 consensus draft class.
Finally, PFF is right to point out perhaps their most important part of the offseason: re-signing Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Penei Sewell to long-term extensions.
“Their Super Bowl window is still open,” Sikkema wrote.
Indeed.
If you’re interested in all the PFF offseason grades, check them out here . As for the rest of the NFC North, the Bears got an A, the Packers a B, and the Vikings a B-.