This is the first in a series looking at positional needs for the Detroit Lions in free agency. Teams can begin negotiating with free agents on March 12. The signing period opens March 14 at 4 p.m.
Allen Park – Pressuring the quarterback is critical to defensive success and the Lions didn’t come close to generating enough in 2017.
The team finished 20th in the league with 35 sacks, and according to Football Outsiders, 24th in pressure rate, making the quarterback uncomfortable on just 29.2 percent of passing plays.
Pressure can come from a variety of ways, from blitzing to stellar coverage forcing the quarterback to hold on to the ball, but the primary source should be a team’s defensive line, particularly the edges.