In order to complete this blog entry I visited the Lions depth chart at https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/pfdepthchart/DET and then compared that to what a team needs at https://www.nfl.com/news/ranking-each-position-s-importance-from-quarterback-to-returner-0ap3000000503855 based on importance. Free agency is about half way over (pre-draft) and the Lions have 9 picks in the upcoming draft so allow me to talk a bit about what the team has and needs (as far as starters go).
QB Jarrad Goff. Do I think he's the complete answer at quarterback? Probably not. But he will be the starting QB for 2022 regardless, and if he proves to be better than in the recent past, he might be the QB in 2023 as well. Meanwhile, the rest of the team needs to be worked on and at some future point, whoever is at QB, will benefit from these improvements.
Designated pass rusher 1 (RDE/ROLB) The actual position depends on what defense the team operates. The Lions are paying Romeo Okwara to be the starter here, with Michael Brockers and him rotating in and out. To this point that isn't working too great, considering the importance of the position, and Brockers is looking to maybe hit free agency next year. A first round draft pick at this position is not entirely out of the question.
Left tackle Taylor Decker. Lions extended his contract and he's been playing the position very well (when not injured). I doubt there are any plans to insert a different player at this position any time soon.
Left cornerback Amani Oruwariye. There is talk about extending his contract this year and his play has improved each of the past two seasons. He isn't exactly as household name or called an island, but until he loses a step he should remain the top CB for the Lions.
Wide receiver 1 DJ Chark. If he can stay healthy this new Lion could prove to be the solution to the top WR position on the team. I am uncertain though if he's the pro bowl type or if he can stay healthy, so depth here is a major concern (his backup is Kalif Raymond).
Defensive tackle Alim McNeil, last year's third round draft pick, is the current favorite to be filling the 6th most important position. He will need to improve his run defense and command double teams to prove it though, and it's unknown if he can do that. Next to him plays last year's second round draft pick Levi Onwuzurike, a much larger player, perhaps better suited for the double team and run stuffing role... but boy if the both of them could up their play and both do well, the defensive line would be boosted an aweful lot.
Running back D'Andre Swift, when healthy, is a force to be reckoned with. The Lions have pretty good depth at RB as well, I don't foresee too much draft capital being spent here.
Designated pass rusher 2 (LDE/LOLB) Charles Harris was re-signed to fill this role, and he was improving last year as time went by, he gets rotated in and out with Julian Okwara (3rd round 2020). Should the improvement continue for both of them this position could be considered well outfitted.
Middle linebacker Derrick Barnes, the 4th round pick from last year, needs to take that next step if he's to be the main starting MLB for the Lions. If the Lions are in the 3/4 scheme he would play next to Alex Anzalone and at times Jarrad Davis. The depth at LB is about as questionable as the starters, so a draft pick or even two at LB isn't out of the question, but neither is the Lions saying they are set out of the question. It all depends on how well they feel about who is going to step up.
Tight end TJ Hockenson is set to have a great season, just like last year, if he stays healthy. There is a lot of potential in the depth behind Hock, no one knows for sure though if they will produce (or can block well).
Free safety Will Harris is definitely a weak link in the defense and it wouldn't surprise me at all if the Lions look to upgrade the position and make him fight for his starting role.
Weak-side linebacker Jarrad Davis, if that is what he ends up playing, can fill a gap and blitz. I'm just not sure he is the full time answer for the Lions, and I wonder if the Lions are wondering that too, enough to use draft capital on LB (as explained earlier).
Right tackle Penei Sewell was last year's first round draft pick and after a rocky start proved to be every bit a great RT for the Lions. I fully expect that development to continue and the Lions not worrying too much about this position.
Right cornerback Jerry Jacobs? Ifeatu Melifonwu? I fully expect last year's other 3rd round draft pick to win this positional battle, even though Jacobs played okay later in the year last season.
Right guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai plays RG quite well, but was signed to a RT contract. The cap hit to cut him was too steep before and now he's proven his worth at RG (and emergency backup RT) so for now that position seems to be filled.
Wide receiver 2 or possession receiver Josh Reynolds won the job late last year when Quentiz Cephus went down with an injury. I think the Lions consider this position filled.
Center Frank Ragnow along with backup Evan Brown is about as solid of a position on the roster as the Lions can get. No changes foreseen.
Strong safety Tracy Walker III was recently re-signed and is set to fill this starting role.
Strong-side linebacker is probably Chris Board but no one is sure who will be the starter or even if it matters as the Lions aren't likely to play with 3 LBs on the field at the same time too often, they might, but it's not likely.
Left guard Jonah Jackson is not all pro material, yet, but he seems to be holding his own. If the rest of the line plays better then he does the OL will be pretty good for both the run and the pass.
Nose tackle Alim McNeil and John Penisini were talked about above, I think the Lions are pretty much set at this position.
Wide receiver 3 or the slot WR Amon Ra St-Brown was last year's 4th round pick and even as a rookie proved he is the starting slot WR. I look forward to watching him be a 2nd year player for the Lions.
Kicker Riley Patterson proved me wrong and became a solid kicker for the Lions last year. I think they actually found a diamond here.
Punter Jack Fox has also proved to be the guy at punter. No changes foreseen here either.
Return specialist Igwebuike? Raymond? or someone new? Lions haven't exactly proven they have the perfect return specialist just yet. If a draft pick can also return he might be more coveted then an equal player who can not.
The last two not mentioned in the article the Lions are also set at, Long Snapper Scott Daly did well last year as did Fullback Jason Cabinda who was re-signed to that position.
So what upgrades are needed? It differs for different people. I'd say the Free Safety for sure, a designated pass rusher, and a cornerback are up there, in no particular order. Followed closely by a deep receiving threat, a linebacker or two, and perhaps more cornerback depth, heck depth everywhere, but only depth that can actually beat out the current depth players.
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