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Dave Birkett divides Monday, March 11, 2019 the Detroit Lions' first day of free competition.
Detroit Free Press

Calm came after the storm, huh?

The Detroit Lions made a free-throwing sensation on Monday by hiring four big-serve players for a team that finished 6-10 last season.

On Tuesday, the Lions renewed the contract with Zach Zenner, who became a viable replacement for Kerryon Johnson with a late-season push, including an outstanding game against the Green Bay Packers.

Experts disagreed in some of their assessments of the Lions project, but the consensus is that the Lions have improved by hiring defenseman Trey Flowers, wide receiver Danny Amendola, half-corner Justin Coleman and half tense Jesse James, in addition to Zenner.

Here's how some experts ranked the best Lions moves:

(Note: ESPN, CBS Sports, and SB Nation have not awarded Zach Zenner or Jesse James ratings.)

January 13, 2019; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers (98), famous after firing quarterback Los Angeles Chargers Philip Rivers (17) in the third quarter at a football match playoff of the AFC division at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

DE Trey Flowers

Skinny: Flowers, 25, who is not known for his big bag figures, has accepted a five-year contract that will bring him $ 90 million. He was Lions' main target for free competition.

ESPN: C + … because "Flowers has generated 26.5 sacks on 81 passes in 55 games" according to Bill Barnwell of ESPN. "Historically, passers-on converted about 45% of their passes into sacks, and if Flowers sent the quarterbacks back at this rate, he would have 36.5 sacks over that three-year period." The rushers who peak underperform their totals Inverting generally regresses to the average, and we've seen Flowers fail twice in three years, but Lions are paying the former fourth-round pick as he's already the superstar, these reversal numbers suggest he will become. "

[ Lions double down on Patricia-Patriot Way in free agency ]

CBS Sports: One … because "the 25-year-old pass driver was the best stand-alone player on the market on my list," said Pete Prisco of CBS Sports. "The Lions needed to improve their pass, so it makes a lot of sense, it's been said for a while now and the Lions have been successful."

SB Nation: Short Term Rank (B) / Long Term Rank (B) … "because Detroit needed an authentic size defender with Ezekiel Ansah who would become a free agent." Flowers is not a player as dominant as Khalil Mack Von Miller, but he is certainly a capable player in his own right. "

[ Carlos: Lions free-agency grades: Hard not to love these moves ]

WR Danny Amendola

Skinny: The 33 – year – old signed Monday a one – year contract worth at least $ 4.25 million. He brings a veteran presence and two rings from the Super Bowl to the Great Hall of the Receivers, and if he stays healthy, he could amass 600 yards through the front desk.

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ESPN: C + … because "the fact that Lions already sign up for (Kenny) Golladay and (Marvin) Jones means it's a lot to give a third win to a team that has holes in their defense. This (was) a Amendola, Adam Humphries, Cole Beasley and Jamison Crowder (were) all on the market – and the slot is a position in which teams have generally been able to find useful contributors in the project and even among free, unwritten agents. "

CBS Sports: N / A.

SB Nation: Short-term note (B-) / long-term note (C-) … because "after signing a $ 12 million contract with the Dolphins over two years, it was raised at too high a price, and he has found his former assistant coach Matt Patricia for one year and up to $ 5.75 million.This is still the top 35 earnings of a player who may not be a receiver of the top 75 . "

[ New Lions WR Danny Amendola nearly died during NFL game ]

CB Justin Coleman

Skinny: Coleman, 25, has signed a $ 36 million, four-year contract that will make him the NFL's highest-paying cornerback. It will immediately upgrade its protection against slot machine receivers in 2019.

ESPN: C- … because "we do not have the guarantees for this transaction, but assuming that about 50% of the contract is guaranteed, this is one of the most shocking contracts on the first day of the deal. free agency … To be fair, Coleman emerged as a good – maybe even very good cornerback for the Seahawks in the last two seasons.

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[ Meet new Lions CB Justin Coleman: He signed with Patriots twice ]

CBS Sports: B – … because "Coleman had a good season as a corner for the Seahawks last year and the Lions needed improvement at that location. They released Nevin Lawson to help create a place for Coleman, who is a better player.

SB Nation: short-term note (A) / long-term note (A) … because "Coleman only allowed 5.21 passing yards on the passes that targeted the slot, which was the second … behind Tre Flowers – Detroit finished last in the league scoring 9.52 yards per attempt on the crack targets, the pass defense reigns to perfection and the Lions have a talented cornerback that meets the needs. "

Chris Thomas is the sports editor of the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter. @bychristhomas.