How Have Detroit Lions Addressed Biggest Weaknesses of 2014?

The NFL salary cap is designed to keep teams from hoarding their good players and yelling "Mine!" like a two-year-old with his toys. It also keeps things interesting, which generates money. I'll let you make your own joke there.

The Detroit Lions lost the Power Wheels of players this offseason. Much like those self-propelled machines that the rest of us on our block unabashedly envied, every team coveted Ndamukong Suh on some level. And the Miami Dolphins were the rich parents who couldn't help themselves.

But the Lions didn't rest on their laurels. While they didn't have many holes to fill, they attacked some of their weaknesses with zeal, and others with a tepid wait-and-see approach. Click through to find out which tactic applied to each position.

Left Guard

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

After the Lions whiffed on veterans Rob Sims and Justin Blalock, their options were slim. In fact, they were desperate.

Things got so dire that the franchise decided to draft Laken Tomlinson in the first round, who was described by one SideLion Reporter as the following:

"

Writing up Laken Tomlinson's report..... Very good player who will be solid for 10 years.

— BeastMode (@BeastFBall) June 3, 2015"

Tomlinson has been favorably compared to new teammate Larry Warford. They both love to explode off the ball and attack defenders, turning one of Detroit's biggest weaknesses (the interior line) into a strength.

Plus, the addition of veteran Manny Ramirez via trade gives Detroit depth and options. The then-and-now Lion kicked off OTAs taking the first-team reps at guard, but it appears that youth is now being served, per Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com:

"

Laken Tomlinson earns some first team reps and other observations from the #Lions open OTA: http://t.co/I1zWHMvJxN

— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) June 4, 2015"

And all sarcasm aside, the Sims offer wouldn't have been enticing for anyone, even though he was an average guard (-1.0 Pro Football Focus grade) last season. Tomlinson represents a significant upgrade in talent and upside. Detroit won't need to address this need again next offseason or the 10 after that.

Right Tackle

Duane Burleson/Associated Press

If LaAdrian Waddle had been healthy, right tackle would have been a formidable position headed into this season. However, it's unknown when he'll be healthy enough to go again.  

Cornelius Lucas is the presumptive front-runner based on his experience, although he explained how difficult the transition from the left to the right side has been to ESPN.com's Michael Rothstein here:

"

Everything, you know what I’m saying. Like stuff in the weight room, just doing squats and different position drills. Instead of having a left-handed stance, do everything in a right-handed stance. Just get used to being in a right-handed stance.

It’s mainly your balance because playing so much in a left-footed stance, your legs get stronger pushing off. So just doing everything the opposite way.

"

The Lions didn't stand pat, though, drafting Corey Robinson in the seventh round. Technically, only former tight end Michael Williams has a better draft pedigree, who was taken in the sixth round. There hasn't been much of an update on either of these two yet, although they do have one more competitor to deal with:

"

Lions announced they've moved Xavier Proctor from defensive tackle to offensive tackle. He spent the past 2 yrs on the practice squad at DT

— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) June 4, 2015"

I wouldn't expect much from Xavier Proctor soon. His ceiling this year probably involves a spot on the practice squad.

There was speculation that Detroit could grab a tackle in the first round. D.J. Humphries was a popular name on Twitter and comment sections, but the Lions decided to take Robinson late because he fits the mold they love on the outside (6'7", 324 lbs). Time will tell if their faith in Waddle's health or his backups was well founded.

Wide Receiver

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

For a team that couldn't find an established third wide receiver last year, the Lions didn't do much other than sign veteran Lance Moore.

The Pittsburgh Steelers cut Moore after a forgettable year that ended with him left off the active roster for the the team's playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens. That experience has helped him appreciate his situation in Detroit, per USA Today.

He said: "I've been blessed to be at the right place at the right time a few times. The thing that's kept me around for a while is the attitude of not quite making it yet. I'm going to be one of those guys that comes out each day and reminds coaches I'm here."

His comfort level with the scheme is obvious to quarterback Matthew Stafford, who said that Moore isn't "the biggest guy in the world or the fastest guy in the world, but he seems to get open with great separation."

This team has big (Calvin Johnson) and fast (Golden Tate, Corey Fuller) covered pretty well. Moore may be past his prime, but there could be a role for him. It'll be up to him to earn the spot over a host of young guys who either should be developing or finally getting healthy, which is probably why Detroit restrained itself from adding additional talents to the mix.

Slot Cornerback

Eric Gay/Associated Press

The problems at the preceding three positions were somewhat significant, but they weren't nearly as devastating as the slot cornerback spot.

Cassius Vaughn—who was playing out of position—was abused by the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs. Tony Romo targeted him to the tune of 101 yards and a touchdown, resulting in a 143.8 quarterback rating, per Pro Football Focus.

The injuries to Bill Bentley and Nevin Lawson were the biggest culprits for the disaster. There wasn't a stitch of depth behind them that belonged on the field in the playoffs.

So the Lions went to work this offseason. They signed veteran Josh Wilson, who general manager Martin Mayhew had coveted for years. However, he posted the 75th-highest PFF grade among cornerbacks, so Detroit's job wasn't done.

In the sixth round, Mayhew snagged Quandre Diggs from Texas. Diggs has the squat stature (5'9", 196 lbs) and quickness to excel in the slot, and it looks like he's trying to add more value to his resume:

"

Kick returners were Quandre Diggs, Ryan Broyles, TJ Jones, Ameer Abdullah. Jeremy Ross was NOT with them.

— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) June 4, 2015"

There's a lot of competent depth at the position now. If the right mix of health and development comes together, Detroit won't have to worry about Romo or any quarterback picking on the nickelbacks next year.

Defensive Tackle

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

C.J. Mosley was a top-30 defensive tackle last year, and he couldn't even crack a healthy Detroit starting lineup.

There's no discounting the crater created by the losses of Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley and Mosley. Suh's play spoke for itself, Mosley's case was made above and Fairley had the highest pass-rushing productivity score among defensive tackles.

Yet the Lions didn't lock themselves in a dark room and throw "Good Riddance" on repeat. Martin Mayhew immediately started working the phones and landed Haloti Ngata for a fourth- and fifth-rounder within the week.

The former Raven will be excellent against the run, and Detroit hopes signee Tyrunn Walker can provide the penetration. In a limited role with the New Orleans Saints, he had 18 pressures in 197 pass-rushing snaps.

Lastly, the Lions drafted Gabe Wright and his quick burst off the line in the fourth round. He has a real chance to contribute in a rotation, especially on passing downs, although Detroit might not be done, per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports:

"

Lions were proactive addressing DL with Haloti Ngata trade. Could address their need at DT in that regard as well. Stay tuned

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) May 23, 2015"

Nothing to corroborate that report has come to light yet. Personally, I'd be surprised if the Lions made another move, especially after passing on so many defensive tackles in the draft.

All advanced stats, grades and positional rankings are courtesy of Pro Football Focus.

Brandon Alisoglu is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist who has written about the Lions on multiple sites. He also co-hosts a Lions-centric podcast, Lions Central Radio. Yell at him on Twitter about how wrong he is @BrandonAlisoglu.