Free agents Josh Woods and Shaun Dion Hamilton are back to offer depth, and Derrick Barnes is currently in line for a bigger role next season.
The group they have in place right now is screaming for a talent upgrade and a dose of upside, and the draft looks like the best path.
Upon being cut by the Seattle Seahawks, Bobby Wagner became the top inside linebacker available on the open market.
But a glance at Spotrac’s list of free agent inside linebackers shows how few have signed, and the lack of significant contracts.
Yes, De’Vondre Campbell secured a major contract to stay with the Packers, a five-year $50 million deal .
Jordan Hicks, who instantly becomes a starting inside linebacker in Minnesota’s new 3-4 system, signed a two-year, $10 million contract, with $4.45 million fully guaranteed at signing.
Myles Jack, cut by the Jaguars, signed an impressive two-year, $16 million deal with the Steelers.
With several options out there, even beyond the ones Florio cited, any team with a need at inside linebacker has an opportunity to strike on a suppressed market as the second week of free agency gets going.
But if the Lions don’t sign a recognizable inside linebacker sometime over the next week, they are ignoring an opportunity to at least add experienced depth to a position of need.
All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators’ opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands.