I Chad Greenway (UFA): To me, Greenway is the best option for the Lions in free agency. He is fast, covers and tackles well, and can even rush the passer. He led the Vikings this year with 145 tackles. That’s an enormous number for an outside linebacker. The question is whether or not he leaves the Twin Cities for a 6-10 team within the division. Thomas Davis (UFA): Davis to me is the best value pick. He was injured this past season, so teams won’t pay as much attention to him as other free agent linebackers. He is another 27 year old, who has plenty of talent. Was a former first round pick that hadn’t missed a game before missing nine games in 2009 and missing all of this season. He would be a high risk, high reward type signing, but I think the Lions can afford to take a risk like that with guys like Landon Johnson as backups. Others: Stephen Nicholas, Zach Diles, Thomas Howard Overall, the 2011 free agent linebacking class is deep. All of the guys mentioned above are 4-3 outside linebackers. There are other, 3-4 OLBs that will get a ton of attention in the offseason like LaMar Woodley, and Tamba Hali. I can definitely see the Lions coming away with at least one starter at linebacker by the morning of March 6th.
t goes without saying that the Lions need find some outside linebackers in the offseason. The question is how many. The minimum for me is one, whether it is through the draft or free agency. I think Julian Peterson’s spot can be filled up with either Bobby Carpenter or Ashlee Palmer. Here are some players I think the Lions should take a look at:
James Anderson (RFA): no one really knew James Anderson until this season, but he put up very impressive numbers. Lead the Carolina Panthers in tackles with 130, was second on the team in sacks with four, and was decent in coverage. He turns 27 in September so he has plenty of good football left in him. If Carolina tenders him with a 3rd round pick, then the Lions should definitely think about signing Anderson away.
Written by:
