Roundtable: Grading Lions' Free-Agency Decisions

The latest SI All Lions Roundtable focuses on the moves made by the Detroit Lions in free agency this offseason.

1.) What was your reaction to the number of personnel the Lions sent to see Kayvon Thibodeaux at his Oregon pro day? 

Vito Chirco: My initial reaction was that the Lions have some serious interest in drafting the Oregon EDGE rusher. With that said, it doesn't mean Detroit is going to take Thibodeaux at No. 2 overall. From the latest reports and prognostications, it seems more likely that the Lions are going to draft Georgia defensive lineman Travon Walker with the pick.

At the very least, though, it's a good sign that Detroit is doing its homework on Thibodeaux. As Adam expressed, it's far too important of a pick to mess up.  

Adam Strozynski: Seven!? Seven guys! Wow, I'm shocked! That is a crazy amount of guys to view a player, but it makes sense. This is a pick that the organization has to get right. 

2.) Three first rounders! Should the Lions use their draft capital to trade back into the first round in 2022?

Chirco: If the Lions think it will help them land an impact defensive player like Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean, then I say yes. However, if it's to draft any of this year's crop of draft-eligible quarterbacks, I'm saying no.  

As much as I am a fan of Liberty quarterback Malik Willis, I wouldn't use any of Detroit's valuable draft capital -- nine picks in total this year -- to trade back into the first round and select Willis.

Strozynski: I feel like that would be ideal, but it's extremely difficult to do. However, you have multiple teams this year (the Jets, Giants, Eagles, Texans, Chiefs and Packers) that have multiple first-round picks, and that makes it much more probable.  

3.) What was your biggest takeaway from the comments made by Detroit GM Brad Holmes this week? 

Chirco: He is satisfied with what he and Detroit's front office accomplished in the major portion of this offseason's free-agency period. 

Additionally, whether it works or not, the Lions are sticking to their plan of finding culture fits. I think in the short term, there is some validity to deploying such a strategy. However, over the long haul, Holmes & Co. will have to open up the checkbook and add some difference-making players, whether it be via free agency or through the trade market. And, I think it's something that likely will come to fruition next offseason. 

Strozynski: I think if you believe that Goff is a "dead man walking," you are sadly mistaken. It sounds like it's becoming more and more of a possibility that he's the Lions' QB of the future. Remember, Holmes was instrumental in drafting him with the Rams. 

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4.) If you could only keep one, would you sign Hockenson or Oruwariye to a long-term contract? 

Chirco: I view it like this: A No. 1 cornerback, especially in today's pass-heavy league, is more important than a No. 1 tight end. As much as I do like Hockenson, if the Lions view Oruwariye as a budding star at corner, I'm locking him up way before I'm inking Hockenson to a contract extension. 

"Hock" is a great safety blanket for Jared Goff and a terrific red-zone target. However, I feel like he's more replaceable than Oruwariye. It's why, just like Adam, if I only could keep one of the two players, it'd be the former Penn State defensive back.

Strozynski: Oh, this isn't even close for me. I would run and lock up Oruwariye over Hockenson. I think he has an extremely bright future, and his position is much more important, in my estimation. 

5.) What grade would you give the Lions' overall free-agency decisions?

Chirco: I'd give the Lions a "C+". They stuck to their plan of adding and retaining players that fit the culture they're trying to establish inside the locker room. With that said, many of the moves were re-signings, and even the organization's biggest acquisition this offseason, inking wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. to a one-year deal, won't move the needle significantly or turn the team into postseason contenders overnight. 

As has been said before by me and several other pundits, the success of the team moving forward will largely be predicated upon the quality of its drafts. If Holmes continues to draft players like Penei Sewell and Amon-Ra St. Brown, he and the current regime have a solid shot of succeeding in the Motor City. However, if the opposite occurs, Holmes & Co. will likely have to find employment somewhere else (and sooner rather than later).

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Strozynski: I'd give the Lions a "C." There wasn't anything flashy or anything awful. What you can take out of the free-agency period is that this team seems to have a plan and that plan is to go in on and invest in next season.