The Detroit Lions finished with the second-worst record in the NFL in 2021, going 3-13-1. But, one encouraging takeaway despite all of the losses was that the team was in several games, battling right to the end.
Detroit had six games decided by eight points or fewer and one tie. A break or two in their direction and they could have easily had six wins in 2021. If things regress to the mean in 2022 and they upgrade the roster as they are expected to, they should have no problems at least doubling their win total this upcoming season.
The Lions own three picks in the top-35 of the 2022 NFL Draft, including No. 2 overall. That will give them a chance to add multiple impact players and immediate contributors to the roster to help win games.
One area that the team needs to address this offseason is the secondary. Things were a mess there in 2021 and they could use an infusion of talent. Safety Will Harris had to move to outside corner to put into perspective how dire things got during the 2021 season. Detroit finished 31st in coverage grade out of 32 teams in 2021.
It would not be a surprise if the Lions added multiple veterans in free agency at cornerback and safety, while also addressing the need with some draft capital. One player that CBS Sports believes they should target at safety is Tyrann Mathieu.
Prying Mathieu away from the Kansas City Chiefs will not be easy, but he is the kind of player that the Lions should be willing to overpay. They aren’t contenders like the Chiefs are, so they will have to make a compelling case by offering him a lot more money than anyone else is.
Not only is Mathieu a huge upgrade skill-wise, but he brings a lot of intangibles to the table that Dan Campell would love on his defense. He has championship experience you cannot teach, leadership and toughness that a young team would benefit from having in the locker room.
There is a chance that Mathieu doesn’t even hit the open market, but should that happen, there will be plenty of suitors. The Lions won’t be the favorites to land him, but they have to at least try. His addition would help reshape their defense and legitimize the franchise, showing other players around the league who may not have considered them as a free agent destination that they are on the right track.
