Episode #192: Pre-Draft Mailbag

This week on the podcast, the fellas break down and answer listener’s questions about the Detroit Lions and their 2021 NFL draft plans. Here’s a sampling of some of those questions:

  • How close do the media get with their draft boards?
  • Would the Lions take a QB at No. 7?
  • Who are the top-3 candidates to be selected at No. 7?
  • Where is the better value OT or WR?
  • Best and worst-case scenario at No. 7?
  • Trade options, trade options, and more trade options
  • How far would the Lions consider trading back?
  • Would the Lions trade back into the 1st round?
  • OT and WR options on Day 2
  • Identifying players of value on Day 3
  • Erik’s favorite sleepers?
  • What positions are the biggest priority to fill?
  • And more

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As always, thanks for listening. Tweet us @erikschlitt,  @JoeKania_DLB,  @lionsbreakdown.

Episode #191: Breaking down the defensive players in the 2021 NFL Draft

This week on the podcast, the fellas continue their breakdown of the entire 2021 NFL Draft class, this time focusing on the defensive side of the ball. For each position, the guys discuss each of the Top-100 players in that group and answer the following questions:

  • Who is at the top of the group in this class?
  • Would the Lions consider taking a top player at that position?
  • Where is the value in this group?
  • Who are Erik and Joe’s favorites?
  • Who could the Lions get late?
  • Are there any notable undrafted players the Lions could target?

Just a reminder, if you like our show you can subscribe using iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, or Podbean.

As always, thanks for listening. Tweet us @erikschlitt,  @JoeKania_DLB,  @lionsbreakdown.

Episode #190: Breaking down the offensive players in the 2021 NFL Draft

This week on the podcast, the fellas dive headfirst into the 2021 NFL draft and break down the entire offensive class. For each position, the guys discuss each of the Top-100 players in that group and answer the following questions:

  • Who is at the top of the group in this class?
  • Would the Lions consider taking a top player at that position?
  • Where is the value in this group?
  • Who are Erik and Joe’s favorites?
  • Who could the Lions get late?
  • Are there any notable undrafted players the Lions could target?

Just a reminder, if you like our show you can subscribe using iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, or Podbean.

As always, thanks for listening. Tweet us @erikschlitt,  @JoeKania_DLB,  @lionsbreakdown.

Episode #189: Lions pre-draft roster reset

This week on the podcast, the fellas begin the offseason transition from free agency to the 2021 NFL Draft. But, before we dive into the prospects in this class, it’s a good time for a refresher on where the roster stands.

First up, the guys visit the Rod Wood-Shed and discuss the happenings at the NFL owner’s meetings this week. What does a 17th game mean for the league? What about the players? What are the cap implications of adding another game? Additionally, each team will host an international game sometime in the next eight years. And in news closer to home, Detroit is still in the mix to host the 2024 NFL draft, and the Lions have an opportunity to alter their uniforms over the next year.

Next up the guys examine the two trades at the top of the NFL Draft between the 49ers and Dolphins, then Dolphins and Eagles, and discuss how this could impact the Lions’ options at pick No. 7.

Finally, the fellas go position-by-position through the roster, look at who has been added, explore the level of need for more players, and project if that player(s) could be added via the draft or free agency.

Just a reminder, if you like our show you can subscribe using iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, or Podbean.

As always, thanks for listening. Tweet us @erikschlitt,  @JoeKania_DLB,  @lionsbreakdown.

Episode #188: Reviewing Lions free agency after opening week

This week the guys review the opening week of 2021 free agency and examine how the Detroit Lions roster has changed for the better and for the worse. Are GM Brad Holmes and the Lions making the right early moves in a rebuild? Erik and Joe share their opinions.

The podcast opens with the two Lions’ biggest moves of free agency: trades with the L.A. Rams for QB Jared Goff and DT Michael Brockers. We knew most of the contract details surrounding the Goff trade but we did get a few more details on his cap hit and the draft pick compensation. Brockers was acquired for a 7th-round pick in 2023 and he has reportedly signed a new three-year, $24 million contract.

Next, the guys look at all the new Lions, look at their contract and discuss what they will bring to the organization. Those players include QB Tim Boyle, RB Jamaal Williams, WR Tyrell Williams, WR Breshad Perriman, TE Josh Hill, DE Charles Harris, and kicker Randy Bullock.

The fellas will repeat that process with the players the Lions re-signed to new contracts, including EDGE Romeo Okwara, LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin, CB Mike Ford, and LS Don Muhlbach. They’ll also take a look at which Lions free agents have signed with other teams and which are still on the market.

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As always, thanks for listening. Tweet us @erikschlitt,  @JoeKania_DLB,  @lionsbreakdown.

Episode #187: Free Agency preview

This week the guys review the latest roster moves by the Detroit Lions and dive into 2021 Free Agency, giving a position by position breakdown of the players that GM Brad Holmes may be targeting next week.

The guys open by discussing that the Lions elected not to use the franchise tag and debate whether or not that was the right decision.

Next, the Lions also made several moves this week leading up to free agency in order to improve their cap situation. Details on LB Jamie Collins restructure were released, WR Tyrell Williams’ contract details came to light, and CB Mike Ford was re-signed to a 1-year contract. Also, in addition to planning on releasing CB Desmond Trufant, the Lions also plan to release CB Justin Coleman, while the team did release LB Christian Jones and C Russell Bodine from the roster.

Finally, the guys examine Free Agency, going through the available prospects. position by position, discussing needs, who the big targets are, where the value players are, and any players who have connections to the Lions coaching staff.

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As always, thanks for listening. Tweet us @erikschlitt,  @JoeKania_DLB,  @lionsbreakdown.

Episode #186: Pre-Free Agency roster review

This week the guys discuss Erik’s new job as Managing Editor at Pride of Detroit and take a deep dive into the Detroit Lions pre-free agency roster.

The fellas open by looking for holes at each position group, identifying those who could be in line for a contract restructuring, and those that vulnerable to being released due to their bloated contracts.

Additionally, the guys examine the Lions 18 unrestricted free agents and single restricted free agents, looking at who could return, as well as who the team should move on from.

Once it’s clear where the roster stands, the guys will predict the team’s needs as well as the strategy of building from the outside in. For this strategy to work, the Lions will need to add skill players — including big skill players — this offseason and they have already started by signing WR Tyrell Williams.

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As always, thanks for listening. Tweet us @erikschlitt,  @JoeKania_DLB,  @lionsbreakdown.

Episode #185: Will the Lions use the franchise tag?

This week the guys discuss Erik’s departure from Lions Wire, tease what’s coming next, and reassure listeners this podcast will remain unchanged.

In Lions news, the duo examine the Lions 2021 coaching staff — now that the Antwaan Randle El hire was made official — and discuss who they’re excited about, as well as what concerns they may have.

Additionally, they take a deeper look at the NFL Salary Cap, how the floor being raised to $180 million helps the Lions, breakdown where the team is at heading into free agency, and where they will stand after the Matthew Stafford for Jared Goff trade becomes official.

Finally, they discuss the Lions approach to the 2021 Free Agency period and debate if the Lions will use the franchise tag — as well as who the best candidate to use it on is.

Just a reminder, if you like our show you can subscribe using iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, or Podbean.

As always, thanks for listening. Tweet us @erikschlitt,  @JoeKania_DLB,  @lionsbreakdown.

Episode #184: Calvin elected to the Hall of Fame

This week the guys discuss legendary Lions’ wide receiver Calvin Johnson’s acceptance into the Hall of Fame, update the latest news of the Matthew Stafford-Jared Goff trade, explore the new additionss to the coaching staff, check-in on the roster, and begin at the 2021 NFL draft.

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As always, thanks for listening. Tweet us @erikschlitt,  @JoeKania_DLB,  @lionsbreakdown.

Episode #183: Hello, Jared Goff, Goodbye, Matthew Stafford

This week, the guys discuss the Lions blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Rams of sending Matthew Stafford to L.A. and acquiring Jared Goff, a 2021 3rd round pick, a 2022 1st round pick, and a 2023 1st round pick from all angles.

Just a reminder, if you like our show you can subscribe using iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, or Podbean.

As always, thanks for listening. Tweet us @erikschlitt,  @JoeKania_DLB,  @lionsbreakdown.