NFL State of the Franchise: All 32 Teams

13 of 33

Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws the ball as Dallas Cowboys strong safety Barry Church (42) defends downfield during the second quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Free agency Signings:

  • DE/OLB Philip Hunt

Kept:

  • DT Tyrunn Walker
  • FB Jed Collins
  • S Isa Abdul-Quddus
  • OLB Josh Bynes
  • QB Kellen Moore
  • QB Danny Orlovsky

Free Agency Period Trade:

  • Lions acquire DT Haloti Ngata from Ravens for 4th-, 5th-round picks

Lost:

  • Dolphins sign DT Ndamukong Suh
  • Rams sign DT Nick Fairley
  • 49ers sign RB Reggie Bush

Draft Picks:

  • OG Laken Tomlinson
  • RB Ameer Abdullah
  • CB Alex Carter
  • DT Gabe Wright
  • FB Michael Burton
  • CB Quandre Diggs
  • OT Corey Robinson

State of the Franchise: Descending

The offensive line is going to be better and the Detroit Lions should be able to run the football because of it.  Quarterback Matthew Stafford still has Calvin Johnson and co. to throw to but the defense won’t be the same. I’d take Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairly in their primes over a past-his-prime Haloti Ngata every time.

Next: Pittsburgh Steelers