NFC North power rankings: Packers still on top after 2020 NFL Draft?

3. Detroit Lions

Credit where it’s due. The Detroit Lions have quietly put together a strong offseason. This is a big year for head coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn. If the team doesn’t make significant improvements on last year, the Lions might go in another direction in 2021.

The Lions only won three games last season. They weren’t a good football team. But we must also factor in that Pro Bowl quarterback Matthew Stafford missed most of the season due to injury. If he was healthy, it’s fair to assume the Lions would’ve won more games.

Trading Darius Slay was a big decision but, again, the Lions did a nice job of addressing their need at cornerback. New signing Desmond Trufant is a former Pro Bowler and adds experience to the secondary, which they lost by trading Slay. Third-overall pick Jeff Okudah could be a star.

The Lions did make some questionable calls like handing big contracts to tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai and linebacker Jamie Collins, while also letting talented guard Graham Glasgow walk. But overall, they got better in free agency.

Okudah is the key to their draft class, but second-round pick D’Andre Swift could be a great addition. A pairing of Swift and Kerryon Johnson in the backfield has the potential to be very good.

The Lions still have a lot to prove, but their offseason work deserves to see them move up a spot.