The Detroit Lions made some major strides during the 2022 season. Despite not qualifying for the postseason, going 9-8 was a major success for the franchise. This offseason, they will look to upgrade the roster and build off of that.
Detroit’s offense was among the most prolific and efficient units in the NFL last season. They ranked fifth in points scored and fourth in yardage gained as Jared Goff led a very balanced unit. But, for as good as the offense performed, the defense was poor.
If the Lions want to move up the ranks in the NFC, they will have to improve defensively. They took one step toward achieving that, agreeing to a three-year, $33 million deal with cornerback Cameron Sutton.
Sutton had a career season in 2022 with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is a huge upgrade for what was a porous secondary last season. Sutton brings versatility to the Lions, as he is capable of playing on the perimeter or in the slot. He can also succeed in man or zone coverage, which will help defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn switch up coverages and schemes throughout a game.
While Sutton is a great addition to the team, the Lions should not stop there. They should continue adding more talent to the defensive side of the ball. With more money to spend, veteran linebacker Bobby Wager would make for a perfect fit in Detroit.
At 32 years old, Wagner remains arguably the best linebacker in the NFL. In his lone season with the Los Angeles Rams, he recorded a career-high 6.0 sacks. He rounded out his stat line with 140 combined tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, five passes defended and two interceptions.
That resulted in Wagner receiving an overall grade of 90.7 from PFF, which was the best among linebackers in the NFL last season. Adding that kind of impactful veteran at the second level alongside Malcolm Rodriguez is exactly what the Lions’ defense needs.
Capable of excelling in any scheme against the run or pass, Wagner remains an elite player even heading into his age-33 season. There will be stiff competition for him, but the Lions should aggressively pursue him as he will help take their rebuild to another level.
