firedup24
All-Star
After a dissapointing 4-12 season, the Lions were eager to begin the offseason activities. With new ownership coming in and a mass exodus of players from the 2016 team, free agency played a key role in the start of the 2017 season. While there were no "big splash" players signed, the Lions were sure to shore up several positons and add much needed depth all around. Let's breakdown each signing...
DE Terrence Fede - 1 year, 1.23 million - Fede is out of the little known college of Marist. He is a project guy with good size and skills. He will serve as a depth guy but the Lions are hoping he will catch on quickly and be a large part of the DL rotation.
WR Josh Boyce - 1 year, 1.28 million - Look for Boyce, a three year pro out of TCU to serve as the slot receiver out of camp. With good speed and shifty footwork, he may see a lot of balls thrown his way.
TE Trey Burton - 3 years, 7.28 million - The three year pro out of Florida may be the Lions diamond in the rough. With good speed and size, we look for Burton to be a large part of the Lions offense in 2017.
RG William Campbell - 3 years, 6.45 million - Campbell will more than likely serve as a backup to a very young offensive line. With that said, don't be surprised if he doesn't start from day 1.
CB Brandon Boykin - 3 years, 6.9 million - Boykin is a five year pro out of Georgia. He will battle for the nickel back job from the start of camp.
CB Darryl Morris - 4 years, 10.8 million - Morris is a four year pro out of Texas State that offers depth at the CB position. His intangebles don't blow you away but offers very solid coverage skills.
HB Spencer Ware - 4 years, 14 million - This 25 year old 229 LB back out of LSU will serve as the "Smash" to Abdulah's "Dash". We look for him to get a lot of the short yardage and maybe even goaline carries.
CB Marcus Burley - 3 years, 8.7 million - Burley was the first of three defensive backs signed this off season. He is a four year guy out of Deleware with good speed and a strong zone coverage game.
K Cody Parkey - 1 year, 1.06 million - Long time veteran kicker Hanson was cut to free up cap space to ensure that the team was able to fill their many voids. Parkey is a three year pro out of Auburn with a strong leg. He has dealt with accuracy issues but hopefully this fresh start is just what he needed.
HB Keith Marshall - 3 years, 6.42 million - Only one year removed from Georgia, Marshall appears to be a change of pace guy with a great burst and speed. He may also see action in the return game.
DT Courtney Upshaw - 4 years, 10.9 million - A five year pro out of Alabama, Upshaw is somewhat of a project. Highly regarded out of college, the Lions are hoping to finally see his true potential.
DT Sealver Siliga - 3 years, 10.7 million The 6th year man out of Utah is key to add depth to a depleted defensive line. He is not considered an every down player but will see plenty of snaps in a regular rotation.
DE Greg Hardy - 3 years, 20.6 million: At the end of the season, the Lions did not have a LE on the roster. Because of this, Hardy was the closest thing to a "splash signing" by the Lions. By signing Hardy, the 1st round pick is also not a guarantee. While most believe Garrett is the guy, Hardy allows the team to go elsewhere if they so choose.
With the ink barely dry on these contracts the Lions will now look to the draft Sunday night. With the 3rd pick, there are several great players available. Will Garrett fall to them? or maybe they go with Peppers or Barnett. Only time will tell, but we in Lions nations are excited about what the future holds.
DE Terrence Fede - 1 year, 1.23 million - Fede is out of the little known college of Marist. He is a project guy with good size and skills. He will serve as a depth guy but the Lions are hoping he will catch on quickly and be a large part of the DL rotation.
WR Josh Boyce - 1 year, 1.28 million - Look for Boyce, a three year pro out of TCU to serve as the slot receiver out of camp. With good speed and shifty footwork, he may see a lot of balls thrown his way.
TE Trey Burton - 3 years, 7.28 million - The three year pro out of Florida may be the Lions diamond in the rough. With good speed and size, we look for Burton to be a large part of the Lions offense in 2017.
RG William Campbell - 3 years, 6.45 million - Campbell will more than likely serve as a backup to a very young offensive line. With that said, don't be surprised if he doesn't start from day 1.
CB Brandon Boykin - 3 years, 6.9 million - Boykin is a five year pro out of Georgia. He will battle for the nickel back job from the start of camp.
CB Darryl Morris - 4 years, 10.8 million - Morris is a four year pro out of Texas State that offers depth at the CB position. His intangebles don't blow you away but offers very solid coverage skills.
HB Spencer Ware - 4 years, 14 million - This 25 year old 229 LB back out of LSU will serve as the "Smash" to Abdulah's "Dash". We look for him to get a lot of the short yardage and maybe even goaline carries.
CB Marcus Burley - 3 years, 8.7 million - Burley was the first of three defensive backs signed this off season. He is a four year guy out of Deleware with good speed and a strong zone coverage game.
K Cody Parkey - 1 year, 1.06 million - Long time veteran kicker Hanson was cut to free up cap space to ensure that the team was able to fill their many voids. Parkey is a three year pro out of Auburn with a strong leg. He has dealt with accuracy issues but hopefully this fresh start is just what he needed.
HB Keith Marshall - 3 years, 6.42 million - Only one year removed from Georgia, Marshall appears to be a change of pace guy with a great burst and speed. He may also see action in the return game.
DT Courtney Upshaw - 4 years, 10.9 million - A five year pro out of Alabama, Upshaw is somewhat of a project. Highly regarded out of college, the Lions are hoping to finally see his true potential.
DT Sealver Siliga - 3 years, 10.7 million The 6th year man out of Utah is key to add depth to a depleted defensive line. He is not considered an every down player but will see plenty of snaps in a regular rotation.
DE Greg Hardy - 3 years, 20.6 million: At the end of the season, the Lions did not have a LE on the roster. Because of this, Hardy was the closest thing to a "splash signing" by the Lions. By signing Hardy, the 1st round pick is also not a guarantee. While most believe Garrett is the guy, Hardy allows the team to go elsewhere if they so choose.
With the ink barely dry on these contracts the Lions will now look to the draft Sunday night. With the 3rd pick, there are several great players available. Will Garrett fall to them? or maybe they go with Peppers or Barnett. Only time will tell, but we in Lions nations are excited about what the future holds.