Detroit Lions: Winds Of Change Blowing Through

With free agency well under way, the Detroit Lions are quietly having a highly productive offseason.

With holes at every level on the defense, a problematic offensive line, and zero depth at wide receiver, the Lions have addressed almost every area of the team in free agency thus far.

The signing of RB Maurice Morris will add depth behind Kevin Smith as well as a change-of-pace player. Bryant Johnson has been brought in to alleviate the double coverage on Calvin Johnson, and should be a solid No. 2 receiver.

Grady Jackson has been signed as a run-stopper as well, an area that Detroit needs to be strong in when playing Adrian Peterson twice a year. And the most problematic area of the Lions defense, the secondary, is now in line to be a strength next season.

Signing corners Eric King and Phillip Buchanon, and trading for Anthony Henry will give the defense the upgrade it needs against the pass. Hopefully with these new players, the Lions will manage more than four interceptions in 2009.

So what do the Jim Schwartz-led Lions do now? Well, they still need an upgrade at linebacker. Takeo Spikes has just been released by the 49ers, so I'd expect the Lions to give him a call.

Along with linebacker, Detroit still has to address their needs on the offensive line. Fortunately these are two areas that could be upgraded within the first round of the draft.

Speaking of the draft, did you know that Lions have the No. 1 pick this year? Yeah, I was surprised too.

With the top pick Detroit will likely take QB Matt Stafford from Georgia. Personally, I would take Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry at No. 1. He has monster potential and could be the next Ray Lewis.

Offensive tackle should be addressed with the 20th pick since it is a very deep class this year. With many experts predicting Michael Oher will fall, Detroit could land a franchise tackle in the second half of the first round.

In the second round, the Lions will still need to upgrade the interior of the offensive line. Drafting a guard with the 33rd pick would be ideal and would allow the Lions to select a lot of defensive players in rounds three through seven.

That should include someone who can return punts and kicks as well, and most likely a late round defensive back.

So what have we learned? Thus far it appears that the new regime in Detroit understands what not to do in the NFL offseason.

They have been signing solid players and have put themselves in a good position going into the April draft.

With a little bit of luck and the right players the Lions could field a team that actually wins a few games this season.