ESPN Report Sad: The Ownership Detroit Lions “Sheila Ford Hamp”Has Announced The Crisis Between Her And Lions Coach Dan Campbell

With the 2023 NFL season officially in the books, the Detroit Lions are already making plans to fortify their team for the 2024 campaign. A critical area of focus is the cornerback position, which has been a point of vulnerability against opposing teams’ passing attacks. According to a recent ESPN article examining the top 50 free agents and their best fits, Kendall Fuller emerges as an ideal candidate to bolster the Lions’ secondary.

Kendall Fuller, with his impressive track record and versatility in defensive schemes, is seen as a perfect match for the Lions. ESPN highlights Detroit’s pressing need to address their defensive shortcomings, particularly their struggle against the pass, where they allowed an average of 247.4 passing yards per game last season, ranking them sixth-worst in the league.

Fuller’s potential integration into the Lions’ defense is touted as a significant upgrade. His 16 career interceptions, including 10 in the last four seasons with the Washington Commanders, underscore his knack for playmaking. Moreover, his adeptness in both man and zone coverage aligns well with the defensive strategy of Lions’ defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

Bringing in a player of Fuller‘s caliber could serve as a linchpin in transforming the Lions’ secondary from a liability to a strength. His experience and ability to adapt to different coverage schemes offer a dual benefit: enhancing Detroit’s pass defense and providing leadership and mentorship to the team’s younger defensive backs.

Fuller‘s arrival would also signal the Lions’ commitment to making tangible improvements in an area that has hampered their defensive effectiveness. With a player like Fuller in the mix, Detroit could expect not only an uptick in interceptions and pass deflections but also a more intimidating presence that could alter the way opposing quarterbacks approach the Lions’ defense.

The potential acquisition of Kendall Fuller represents a strategic move for the Detroit Lions as they aim to revamp their roster for a stronger 2024 season. Fuller’s proven track record, coupled with his fit in Aaron Glenn’s defensive system, makes him an attractive option for a Lions team eager to address its defensive woes.

As free agency approaches, the Lions and their fans will be keenly watching to see if this speculated pairing comes to fruition. Should Detroit secure Fuller’s services, it could mark a significant step forward in their quest to build a more formidable and competitive team.

Our 2024 NFL Combine preview series is marching along as we inch towards the NFL’s televised coverage of the event on Thursday, February 29. So far, we have already previewed which quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers the Detroit Lions should be scouting, and in this article, we wrap up the offensive skill positions by taking a look at the tight end prospects that should be on general manager Brad Holmes’ radar.

Team need

Based on previous seasons, it appears the Lions would prefer to roster four tight ends, with three being on the active roster and a fourth on the practice squad. Currently, All-Pro Sam LaPorta and James Mitchell remain under contract, Brock Wright is a restricted free agent (RFA), Shane Zylstra is an exclusive rights free agent (ERFA), and Anthony Firkser is an unrestricted free agent (UFA). While the team seems unlikely to pay a restricted tag for Wright, bringing him back on a new contract is possible. Zylstra’s ERFA contract almost assures he will also return, meaning the Lions may enter 2024 training camp with their top four options back on the roster.

That being said, if the Lions can’t come to an agreement with Wright, or they want to add competition to the room, they could be looking for a tight end in this draft class.

What to watch for

In tight end receiving drills, a lot of the same traits identified in the wide receiver drills stay true. Meaning, keep an eye on things like explosion, crisp movements in routes, natural hands, and body control during on-field workouts.

Blocking drills are a bit harder to diagnose, as prospects are typically limited to working against air or bags, but keep an eye on technique: Can they sink their hips and drive? Do they bend at the knee or waist? Where do they place their hands in order to gain leverage?

Setting the table

Last year’s draft class saw 15 tight ends selected, which is only slightly above the average of 14.4 over the past decade, but nine of those prospects were drafted in the first three rounds, which is a much higher rate than normal.