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The Detroit Lions finished up one of their most successful seasons -- record-wise -- in franchise history. Now, the offseason begins with the combine, free agency and the NFL draft. To start that process, we’ll look at each position group over last week and this week with an analysis of what worked, what didn’t and projecting what could happen between now and training camp, a little over six months away. Previous analyses: Quarterbacks; Running backs; Wide receivers; Tight ends; Offensive tackles; Interior offensive linemen 2015 Free Agents: DT Ndamukong Suh, DT Nick Fairley, DT C.J. Mosley, DT Andre Fluellen, DE Darryl Tapp, DE George Johnson The good: A whole bunch of it. The Lions had one of the best defensive lines in the NFL, led by All-Pro Ndamukong Suh. Suh had the most consistent and possibly most dominant season of his career despite constant double-teams and attention. The top three tackles graded out at No. 3 (Suh), No. 18 (Nick Fairley) and No. 26 (C.J. Mosley) in Pro Football Focus’ positional rankings, but Mosley and Fairley both only had a half-season as starters. Suh’s 37 quarterback hurries was the most among defensive tackles. A lot of the Detroit defensive ends had career seasons. Ezekiel Ansah turned into a potential dominant edge-rusher in the future. Both George Johnson and Darryl Tapp, the players brought in to replace Willie Young, graded out higher on the season than Young. The group was the anchor of the league’s best run defense. They also had 38 sacks, 67 quarterback hits and 170 quarterback hurries according to PFF. The bad: Missed tackles were a bit of an issue against Dallas. There were games where Ansah disappeared. Overall, though, there is not much criticism to be levied with a group that was the most consistent throughout the season for Detroit. The biggest problems with the line for Detroit this season came with suspensions and potential suspensions. Mosley was sent home from London for a violation of team rules and Suh was nearly suspended for the team’s playoff game before having it overturned on appeal. Fairley’s knee injury was also an issue because it came in the midst of his most consistent season. Much of the bad for Detroit comes with the uncertain futures of Suh, Fairley and Mosley with the Lions -- potentially leaving a figurative and literal hole at the front of Detroit’s defense. The money (using 2015 cap numbers from ESPN Stats & Information): At end, Ansah has the highest cap number -- for now -- of any Detroit defensive lineman at $5.071 million. Jason Jones is due $3.983 million, but has a dead money number of under $1 million. Devin Taylor has a cap number of $660,146 and Larry Webster has one of $585,146. At tackle, the only one under contract is Caraun Reid, who has a cap number of $557,220. Potential cuts: With a severe lack of players on the line right now, Jones would be the only potential cut -- and that would potentially be of the post-June 1 variety. Jones has value, though, since he can play both inside and outside. If Detroit does not retain Suh, then Jones is much more likely to return. Draft priority: Very high. Along with the interior of the line, this is the biggest spot of need for Detroit -- especially depending on how free agency plays out. Once free agency -- or the franchising of Suh -- happens, then this will give a much clearer picture of need here.
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