The Detroit Lions are having an underrated offseason

The Detroit Lions expect to be markedly improved in year two under Matt Patricia, and their underrated offseason reflects their ‘ready to win’ mindset.

The Detroit Lions had to be brimming with optimism heading into the 2018 season, hiring a Super Bowl winning defensive coordinator in Matt Patricia who worked under Bill Belichick for years, and said all the right things in his press conferences throughout the offseason.

Heck, the Lions even got a primetime game to start the season against a hapless rookie quarterback going against Patricia’s new-look defense.

The Jets came into Detroit and pounded the Lions 48-17, and it wasn’t even that close.

On their way to a last place finish in the NFC North, the Lions would lose nine more games the rest of the way, although Patricia was able to get the best of his former boss when the Lions won their first game of the season in week three against the Patriots.

Detroit’s 6-10 finish had contributions from all over the roster, starting with quarterback Matthew Stafford who had his least productive season in more than five years, throwing the ball 555 times with just 21 touchdowns.

The Lions finished 25th in scoring offense, 16th in scoring defense, and 31st in the NFL with only 14 takeaways last season.

Detroit set out this offseason to rectify some of those issues and they did so with some big moves that have gone pretty under the radar as far as the rest of the league is concerned.

None of these moves are as impactful on paper as the Odell Beckham Jr. or Antonio Brown trade, and these players aren’t has high profile as some of the others who hit the free agent market this offseason, but Detroit has been active in preparation for year two of the Matt Patricia era.

Here are some of their key moves and what these guys can help with this season.

Trey Flowers, DL (Patriots)

One of the most valuable pieces of Bill Belichick’s defense, Trey Flowers is a guy who can move all around the defensive line and create pressure in unique ways. He’s not a traditional edge bender and he may never be a 10-plus sack guy, but Flowers is highly impactful when used correctly and Patricia knows exactly how to use him.

Romeo Okwara led the team with 7.5 sacks last year, and while Flowers may not eclipse that total himself, he can help other guys on this team get opportunities at the quarterback.

This move was a great one.

Jesse James, TE (Steelers)

For the money guys were getting paid on the free agent market, Jesse James was probably the best player at the tight end position for the taking.

At 6-foot-7, James is a big-bodied target who has proven himself capable in the red zone and after the catch, and can also work well as an in-line blocker.

He’s a huge upgrade over what the Lions have had at the position in recent years.

Justin Coleman, CB (Seahawks)

Before he was traded to the Seahawks, Justin Coleman was an undrafted free agent find for Patricia and the Patriots.

He didn’t really come into his own until he was with Seattle, but Coleman is a very solid nickel cornerback who has knocked down 19 passes over the past two seasons, and has one of the highest efficiency ratings in coverage among slot corners.

Danny Amendola, WR (Dolphins)

Another former Patriots player joins the Lions, but this one impacts the offensive side of the ball.

Amendola, though injury prone throughout his career, is battle tested in the postseason and always keeps his body in great shape. If he’s not struggling through injuries, he’s still capable of being a highly effective slot player and will work well with Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay.

Rashaan Melvin, CB (Raiders)

Two years ago, Rashaan Melvin was a really solid player for the Indianapolis Colts, picking off three passes and earning a free agent contract with the Oakland Raiders.

He was unable to get things going in Oakland, but he showed flashes of his potential in Indianapolis, and you’ll never guess which team he has prior experience with in the NFL.

If you guessed the New England Patriots, you’re correct.

Melvin played eight games for the Patriots in 2015. He’s an underrated pickup who could end up being a starting outside corner opposite Darius Slay.

These moves have gone pretty under the radar by national media, but the Lions are not maintaining the status quo and they are actively trying to flip the script in 2019.

Matt Patricia got used to winning in New England and he wants that culture in Detroit as quickly as possible.