General manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia spoke to media at the Annual League Meetings in Arizona this week.
Both were asked what to look for from the newest Lions, starting with defensive end Trey Flowers.
"He's a three-down player with position versatility," Quinn said. "Affects the quarterback, affects the run game, knows the technique, knows the scheme.
"There's not a lot of sure bets in free agency. Certain years you can be more aggressive than others. With the money that we paid those guys, the contracts, speaks to what we think of them and we think they can help us win games, and that's the bottom line. We want to get as many players into our team and our scheme that can help us win more."
Cornerback Justin Coleman also has position versatility, although Quinn thinks Coleman will play more nickel than outside.
"Justin Coleman is a nickel corner, who has position versatility, knows scheme and played well the last couple years in Seattle," Quinn said. "It was a good fit."
On offense, the tight end position was a popular topic. The Lions signed two new tight ends so far this offseason: Jesse James & former quarterback turned tight end Logan Thomas. James, in particular, could potentially help out on third down and in the red zone.
"He's a young player," Patricia said of James. "Works really hard. He's tough. I played against him for a lot of years. Love his grit, love his grind and love the way he kind of attacks the game.
"We know he can do things in the run game. The beauty about it is he's a big target. This guy has a big catch radius. He's long and he can catch the ball."
NFL ADOPTS RULES CHANGES
The NFL is adopting seven playing rules proposals, six bylaw proposals and two resolution proposals for the 2019 season.
Most notable among them is the expansion of replay to include pass interference calls, including no calls. The Lions voted in favor of this change.
"There was a lot of discussion about replays, I'm sure you guys have heard, and there were a number of proposals," team president Rod Wood said. "The one that we ultimately settled on kind of came together this afternoon after the discussion this morning on it.
"I think there was some concern about having it all done upstairs and coaches challenging in the last two minutes on Hail Mary plays and I think they kind of found a middle ground that keeps the current system in place and utilizes the replay official upstairs in the last two minutes and it takes the play that ended the NFC Championship Game off of the table of being a discussion item as opposed to something that was reviewed."
MEET THE PROSPECT
The 2019 NFL Draft is about a month away. Who might the Lions select? The good news is, there are plenty of options.
Each week on Detroitlions.com we'll be getting to know three draft prospects the Lions could have interest in.
Meet this week's prospects:
View photos of NFL prospect Greedy Williams.
Louisiana State University Tigers cornerback Greedy Williams jumps prior to running the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine on Monday, March 4, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
LSU defensive back Greedy Williams runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
LSU defensive back Greedy Williams participates in a drill during the NFL football scouting combine on Monday, March 4, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
LSU defensive back Greedy Williams runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine on Monday, March 4, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
LSU defensive back Greedy Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Portrait of LSU defensive back Greedy Williams taken during the NFL Scouting Combine, Sunday, March 3, 2019, in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
LSU defensive back Greedy Williams runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine on Monday, March 4, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
LSU defensive back Greedy Williams participates in a drill during the NFL football scouting combine on Monday, March 4, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
LSU defensive back Greedy Williams runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
LSU cornerback Greedy Williams (29) celebrates his interception with safety Grant Delpit (9) and cornerback Kristian Fulton (22) in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Southeastern Louisiana in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018. LSU won 31-0. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU defensive back Greedy Williams drinks from a Gatorade bottle during the NFL football scouting combine on Monday, March 4, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
LSU defensive back Greedy Williams participates in a drill during the NFL football scouting combine on Monday, March 4, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
LSU defensive back Greedy Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
LSU defender Greedy Williams against Arkansas during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
FILE - In this Nov. 11, 2017, file photo, LSU cornerback Andraez "Greedy" Williams (29) pulls in an interception in the endzone late in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas in Baton Rouge, La. Williams was selected to the AP Preseason All-America team, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
LSU defensive back Greedy Williams runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine on Monday, March 4, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
LSU defensive back Greedy Williams participates in a drill during the NFL football scouting combine on Monday, March 4, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Portrait of LSU defensive back Greedy Williams taken during the NFL Scouting Combine, Sunday, March 3, 2019, in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
LSU defensive back Greedy Williams runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine on Monday, March 4, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
LSU defensive back Greedy Williams runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Miami wide receiver Jeff Thomas (4 ) attempts a catch as LSU cornerbacks Terrence Alexander (11) and Greedy Williams (29) defend during the first half of an NCAA college football game Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Arkansas tight end Cheyenne O'Grady pushes past LSU defender Greedy Williams to score a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Fayetteville, Ark. LSU won, 24-17. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
OTHER NOTEWORTHY ITEMS
- Will the Lions consider signing defensive tackle Damon Harrison Sr. to an extension? Find out what Bob Quinn had to say on the matter.
- Matt Patricia expects the Lions' new offense to be adaptable, similar to his defense.
- Recap the 2019 Detroit Lions Cheerleader auditions that took place last weekend.
