Detroit Lions Mailbag Part 2: Will Derrick Barnes Win a Starting Role in 2021?

While Part 1 of our Mailbag POD this week focused on the issues leading up to this weekend’s game, Part 2 will focus on a few larger topics that revolve around the season as a whole. As always, Jeremy Reisman and I will answer your questions about the Detroit Lions, so let’s get started.

Do you think at some point in the season Barnes is going to dethrone Anzalone or Collins and become a full time starter? If so what week do you think this might happen? – Usmarine0341

Jeremiah: I think it’s very possible that he dethrones Alex Anzalone in his rookie season for two reasons. First, Anzalone has never started a full season. Last year he started the season as a starter, but was replaced by Week 10.

The other reason is you can’t keep a playmaker off the field, especially when the best thing for young players is playing time. Don’t take it from me, take it from defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

“If you’re a good player, I’ll find a way to get you on the pitch. As easy as that. He’s a good player, so we’ll find a way.

He’s the one who speaks directly to Barnes. His time is coming, and it might be soon.

Erik: I was totally with you Jeremy … until they named Anzalone team captain, said he would wear the green dot helmet, and relay defensive play calls. Now I am not so sure.

At the end of the day, I still think talent wins and Barnes seems to be heading for a bigger role, but if he has to get past Anzalone I’d be surprised if that happens before Thanksgiving.

Erik: 100 per cent.

Not only are the pair extremely talented, but they also have two of the NFL’s best secondary coaches, Aubrey Pleasant (secondary coach) and Aaron Glenn (defensive coordinator), helping them through the process.

Also, I’m not sure I’ve seen a single player outperform either during the off-peak times of training camp. At every break, Walker and Okudah were either in a trainer’s ear, performing one-on-one drills, or using the video board, trying to figure out where they could improve. They just weren’t resting and were constantly looking for ways to elevate their games.

Jeremiah: I am a little more skeptical of Walker than of Okudah. And I also think it’s important to remember that progress doesn’t happen overnight. We’ve seen mistakes before in this Pittsburgh preseason game from both players, and those aren’t going to magically go away when games count.

That being said, I don’t count either. They’re both playing very confidently right now, and they both have terrific work ethics. Thanks to a team of coaches with a fantastic CV of developing young talent, and I think Okudah is on for a great year. Hopefully Walker will follow.

Oh, and (hopefully) having a pass rush will help both.

Which player on our list is most likely to be traded for draft assets? – Goat

Jeremiah: The first place to look is the players in the last year of their contract. This year, there are many. So instead of listing them all, here are a few that I think may have some market value :

• Nick williams
• Tracy walker
• Da’Shawn Main
• Jalen Reeves-Maybin
• Darren fells
• Kevin Fort

Are players jumping on you? Someone I missed?

Erik: Earlier in the offseason on one of our Spotify Greenroom podcasts, Ryan Mathews argued that Tyrell Williams could also be vulnerable if the Lions are clearly no longer competitive. So we could probably add it to the list as well.

Jeremiah: It’s worth pointing out that I don’t think any of these players can net more than a fifth round pick, with Walker really being the only one who can shoot that much. And that’s only if he comes out in the first half of the season. Otherwise, you’re talking about a lot of the older players who are not game-changers. In other words, I don’t expect much Lions movement this trade deadline.

Erik: Same.

Erik: Honestly, not high at the moment, which shouldn’t be surprising considering he’s currently in the injured reserve. The hard part about Hand is that he hasn’t been the same injury over and over again, but rather a variety of injuries that suggest there will always be somewhere on his body that can be injured.

Now, if he’s going against the injury trend, I absolutely believe he will play a big role in defense and his range of position makes him a valuable asset. But it’s a big if.

Can you tell me about Hand’s ledge, Jeremy?

Jeremiah: I’m afraid I can’t do this, Erik.

Erik: Hi.

Jeremiah: Hand, through no fault of his own, is in a situation where he now has a 14-game audition, at best, to stay in Detroit. In the small window of the camp he actually practiced, he looked damn good and explosive. Plus, he plays at a weight that makes him much more dangerous than the “skinny” 270 he played with under Matt Patricia.

But the guy has to be successful on the pitch, and how can you be sure he can get through the final three months of the season without encountering another setback? It’s a big disappointment because this guy is full of potential, but if I had to put a percentage on it I would say there’s an 85% chance that we will see Hand’s final months in Detroit.

Everyone seems to be assuming that we are writing a QB next year. Erik is under watch for the QB draft, etc. But suppose Goff stinks and Holmes doesn’t like any of the QB prospects enough to write one up. What are our trade / FA options for dealing with QB next year? – elgarraz

Jeremiah: Trading options are hard to predict a year in advance, but here’s a look at some of the quarterbacks who are expected to become unrestricted free agents: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Andy Dalton, Tyrod Taylor, Jameis Winston, Joe Flacco, Mitchell Trubisky. In other words, no more palliatives.

Erik: Yuck.

Jeremiah: Personally, I think the Lions stick with Jared Goff no matter what happens this year. To cut it, committing $ 30.5 million in dead money just to sign another interim free agent doesn’t make sense to me. So if Goff sucks, you have two options: draft a quarterback in 2022 and either start it or facilitate it. Or face another year of draw Goff and draft a quarterback in 2023. and I don’t think the team will be in a situation where they should consider spending draft picks on a successful trade. I guess you might dream of snatching Russell Wilson from the Seahawks, but Wilson has a no-trade clause and I don’t think he’d be too excited about landing in Detroit.

Erik: Yes, I’m in tune with Jeremy’s conclusion that whatever Goff plays in 2021, he’s a Lion in 2022 for better or for worse. Then the question becomes when to write a QB, which is why I decided to start making a 2022 quarterback watchlist. My hunch from the start is that the plan has always been to look to the draft. to draft the franchise’s next caller, it’s just a matter of when that happens.