Best, worst offseason moves for Detroit Lions

The 2023 NFL Draft will be held in Kansas City from April 27-29. The Detroit Lions a the sexy pick among NFL analysts to not only end their six-year playoff drought but win the NFC North for the first time since 1993 when the division was known as the NFC Central. Here are the best and worst offseason moves they Lions have made so far.

Best | Retooling the secondary

Adding cornerbacks Cam Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley plus safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the worst-ranked secondary in the NFL that allowed the third-most passing yards (4,179) and tied for the eighth-most passing touchdowns allowed (26) is a huge step in the right direction for the Lions.

Pairing the trio with safety Kerby Joseph, who had a breakout rookie year (fourth-most tackles on the team and team-high four interceptions), and cornerback Jeff Okudah, who finally started looking like the player Detroit drafted third overall in 2020 (73 tackles, seven passes defensed, 61.5 completion percentage allowed), suddenly has the Lions looking like they could have a top-10 secondary.

Best | Retaining offensive coordinator Ben Johnson

Johnson was a hot commodity during the initial cycle of head coaching interviews but he ultimately withdrew his name from consideration and took a bump in pay to stay in Detroit.

He’s credited for reviving Jared Goff’s career, turning Jamaal Williams into a record-breaking, 1,000-yard runner and establishing Amon-Ra St. Brown as a legitimate top-10 wide receiver. After swapping Williams for David Montgomery and receiver Marvin Williams for D.J. Chark, plus potentially adding a tight end in the draft, it could be argued Johnson will have more weapons at his disposal next season and the Lions No. 4-ranked offense will be even more dangerous.

Worst | Missing out on CB Jalen Ramsey

While it’s difficult to complain too much given the additions of Sutton and Moseley, potentially adding Ramsey to the mix would have instantly legitimized Detroit’s defensive backfield. 

Moseley hasn’t played a full season in three years and Sutton had a great year in 2022 but still has to prove he can be a shutdown cover corner for more than just one year. Ramsey, a six-time Pro Bowler and three time All-Pro, has the skins on the wall and is one of the least-targeted cornerbacks in the NFL.

Worst | Not going all-in on a top free agent LB

There’s a lot to like about the players Detroit did sign, but given how bad the defense was in 2022, it was a bit surprising the team didn’t make a stronger push to land a premier player in the front seven.

Alex Anzalone and Jalen Reeves-Maybin are fine players, but neither are impact players. While Anzalone is solid, the Lions missed out on landing a true difference maker at middle linebacker by not taking a swing at Tremaine Edmunds, Bobby Wagner, Eric Kendricks or Bobby Okereke.