How Do Lions' Offseason Moves Reflect on Draft Plans?

NFL free agency has started and to the surprise of some, the Detroit Lions are making some big moves. They signed wide receiver Nate Burleson to a four-year $25 million contract. Perhaps their most notable move is the acquisition of two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Kyle Vanden Bosch. The Lions signed the former Tennessee Titan to a four-year, $26 million contract. Vanden Bosch played under Lions head coach Jim Schwartz when Schwartz was the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans.

But what does this have to do with the Lions' drafting strategy? The Lions were expected to draft a defensive lineman, either Ndamukong Suh out of Nebraska or Gerald McCoy out of Oklahoma, but the signing of Vaden Bosch may lead some to believe that the team is not interested in drafting a defensive linemen.

Perhaps the Vanden Bosch signing is indicative of the Lions' desire to take offensive tackle Russell Okung from Oklahoma State. Okung is widely regarded as the best offensive lineman in this year's draft and there is no question that the Detroit Lions need to improve their offensive line. This move would certainly help the Lions offensive line, which struggled to protect quarterback Matthew Stafford last season. Stafford suffered a serious knee injury last season as a result of the poor protection from his offensive line. Many point to Jeff Backus as the weak link of the Lions offensive line. Replacing Backus with Okung would make a lot of sense on the Lions part to ensure the safety of their franchise quarterback.