The Lions' season ended so abruptly it resulted in a collective daze and constant wondering about, "What now?"
Following NFL free agency and the draft, the Lions could be the favorite to win the NFC championship in 2024.
Next season is their sweet spot. Most of the Lions' star players (Aidan Hutchinson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Sam LaPorta) are still on rookie contracts, yet have garnered valuable experience. Given his production in the last 30 games, quarterback Jared Goff is a salary cap bargain for next season.
This is a team built upon three exceptional drafts. A fourth is expected. The Lions have four picks in the Top 100. Their salary cap situation is solid, among the league's top third.
The Lions have developed a possible Super Bowl championship core, but a glaring hole remains.
While the Lions certainly need to upgrade the edge opposite Hutchinson, it's a misnomer to suggest it would be a magical cure for their flagging secondary.
By far the Lions' greatest need is cornerback. General manager Brad Holmes tried to address it in free agency last off season, but top corners are not just cut loose. The Lions had to over pay in free agency for Cam Sutton, who is a No.2. They risked $6 million on Emmanuel Moseley coming off ACL surgery and lost.
Infeatu Melifonwu and Kerby Joseph are developing safeties. However, Melifonwu has only a short snap shot of effective play, and Joseph has struggled in coverage. But at least there are two, developing third-round draft picks at safety, while second-rounder Brian Branch is a solid slot corner.
It's a deep draft at corner.
You will see names like Nate Wiggins (Clemson), Terrion Arnold (Alabama), Cooper DeJean (Iowa), Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo), Kool-Aid McKinstry (Alabama), Ennis Rakestraw (Missouri), Kamari Lassiter (Georgia) and Jarvis Brownlee (Louisville) as potential first-round picks for the Lions. They are all viable options. Mitchell and Brownlee were outstanding at the Senior Bowl.
The Chiefs can't keep everybody, so it's possible L'Jarius Sneed will be a free agent. A slot in the past, he proved to be outstanding on the outside this season. It's not a given Washington will franchise tag Kendall Fuller, a definite No. 1 outside corner, but the Lions need to be careful with cap ramifications down the road because their young core, and perhaps Goff, have to be paid.
Holmes has drafted just two outside cornerbacks in three years, Melifonwu, who was moved to safety, and Chase Lucas in the seventh round.
He has had the Midas touch at other positions. Can he apply it to the Lions' biggest hole?
A Super Bowl championship seems to depend on it.
