Scott Bischoff breaks down the team needs of the Detroit Lions letting you know where the team’s focus will be this offseason during free agency and the 2012 NFL draft.

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions were a playoff team last year and they need to keep building the team to keep it competitive with the NFC elite year in and out.

Key Free Agents: Maurice Morris (RB), Kevin Smith (RB), Jeff Backus (LT), Andre Fluellen (DT), Sammie Lee Hill (DT), Cliff Avril (DE), DeAndre Levy (LB), Stephen Tulloch (LB), Eric Wright (CB)

Secondary: The Lions are not deep at any spot in the secondary and it is the most glaring of the Lions’ needs. An upgrade at corner and safety would do great things for the Lion pass defense. The Lions were torched late in the season via the pass and you can point directly to the Lions lack of depth at cornerback as one of the main reasons why. Chris Houston and free agent Eric Wright are adequate NFL cornerbacks but after that the Lions don’t have cornerbacks to think good thoughts about. Whether it is in free agency or the draft, consider it a lock for the Lions to address this major need.

Left Tackle: Free agent Jeff Backus has been a steady, solid performer at left tackle for the Detroit Lions. He has started 176 straight games at left tackle for the Lions but he is an aging veteran who can get exposed by edge rushers with speed. It is an understatement to say that keeping Matt Stafford upright and healthy is the key for the Detroit Lions offense. Much like the center position, the need is pressing and will only get more so as time goes on. Ignore this need any further and the Detroit Lions are playing with fire. Offensive tackle could be a first round need for the Lions.

Running Back: The Lions have used a first round pick and a second round pick in back-to-back years on the running back position and it is still an unsettled mess. Jahvid Best has concussion issues and missed a significant part of the 2011 season and Mikel Leshoure tore an Achilles tendon in training camp prior to the 2011 season. Maurice Morris was ineffective and free agent Kevin Smith was brought in during the season. Smith showed flashes of brilliance but struggled to stay healthy. The situation is fluid as there are no answers today regarding Best or Leshoure. Running back will be a need if Best or Leshoure can’t return.

Center: Dominic Raiola is a smaller center who gets overpowered against bigger defensive tackles and he is also an older veteran. He is the leader of the offensive line but it is just a matter of time before this position becomes a major need.

Guard: The Lions struggle to run the ball and getting younger, bigger and more athletic at the point of attack is a priority. The Lions need a player that can anchor the interior of the offensive line and get some push to help the running game. Rob Sims has solidified the left side but the Lions have a hole at the right guard spot that needs to be addressed.

Defensive Line: Defensive End Kyle Vanden Bosch is 33 with a history of neck problems and while he has been productive the injuries and age are a factor. The defensive end position is an area where the Lions do have some pieces in place but they are more depth pieces.  A talent upgrade at a spot where getting after the opposing quarterback is a need. The Lions face a huge decision on whether to resign Cliff Avril. They have to decide whether he is the benefactor of their dominant interior defensive play or does he do things that other players on their roster can’t do. If Avril does not get resigned by the Lions look for them to select a defensive end very early in the 2012 draft. Look for defensive tackle Sammie Lee Hill to get resigned as he is a productive run stopper in their defensive line rotation as a depth player.

Linebacker: Stephen Tulloch had a nice season as a Lion, but the Lions got torched all season by big runs. The Lions need to stabilize their linebacker group and resigning Tulloch is a good start but there will be a cost to sign him. Tulloch is a big linebacker who stops the run and as a player it seems that the Lions can’t afford to lose him at this point. Justin Durant played well when he was healthy. An upgrade to the linebacker position might force DeAndre Levy into a backup role. The Lions need to add speed to their linebacker group and the need could bring them a linebacker early in the draft.