NFL News and Notes: Lions Keeping Busy

While the NFL offseason is starting to slow down, deals are still being done as general managers attempt to provide their coaches and organizations with quality depth that is so important during the gauntlet that is the NFL season.

Lions Continue To Be Active

The Detroit Lions continued to be one of the most active spenders during the NFL offseason, bringing in linebacker Reggie Ragland and wide receiver Geronimo Allison over the weekend.

Ragland, a three-year NFL veteran, has spent his entire career with the Kansas City Chiefs. In 2018, the 6-2, 250-pound linebacker recorded 86 total tackles in 16 games while playing only 49% of the possible defensive snaps.

He was a consensus All-American in 2015 at Alabama when he was also named the 2015 SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

Allison, a four-year NFL veteran, has played his entire career with the Green Bay Packers. In 2019, he recorded career highs of 55 targets and 34 receptions but a career low of only 8.4 yards per reception.

The Lions have really overhauled their roster on the defensive side of the football, adding Desmond Trufant, Danny Shelton, Jamie Collins, Jayron Kearse, and now Ragland while trading away cornerback Darius Slay to the Eagles.

Concerns remain about the team’s offense, which will almost certainly be the focus of their draft whenever that happens.

Newton to the Patriots?

In a recent article by Bucky Brooks at NFL.com, the New England Patriots were listed as one of the best possible fits for former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. In my humble opinion, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Newton was released by the Panthers last week and left the organization as the career leader in both touchdown passes and rushes while also being named the league MVP in 2015. Despite those accolades, I am not sure the skill set matches up with what the Patriots have traditionally done on the field.

While Bill Belichick may be praising Newton publicly in regards to his talent, does he fit?

A big reason why the Patriots experienced so much success was the accuracy of Tom Brady as offensive coordinators spearheaded the replacement of the running game with short methodical passes.

Brady’s career completion percentage of 63.8% is better than any single season Newton has ever recorded except for 2018.

While Newton certainly has the advantage athletically, is that the path that Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels want to go down at this point in the dynasty? It feels like New England is better suited to stay with a pocket passer that is more accurate at this point over someone like Newton.

Ravens Add Former Broncos DE Wolfe

In the aftermath of the Michael Brockers contract debacle, the Baltimore Ravens have signed former Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe to a one-year contract, according to ESPN. Wolfe, an eight-year NFL veteran, played his entire career with the Broncos before the signing.

Last season, Wolfe appeared in 12 games for Denver and recorded just 23 solo tackles but also had seven sacks, second most on the club behind star linebacker Von Miller.

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