The Detroit Lions would love to add a tight end and defensive edge pass rusher this offseason. It just so happens that two are available -- and they already have a great relationship with Lions head coach Matt Patricia. The latest Detroit Lions rumors indicate that Detroit has interest in speaking with both.
Patricia eyeing former players
Patriots tight end Dwayne Allen and defensive end Trey Flowers are both looking for a new team, so why not the Lions?
According to an SI report, four teams are interested in Allen, including the Lions. Allen was officially released by the New England Patriots on Monday and already teams are lining up to speak with him.
The Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, and Detroit Lions have all shown interest in the 29-year-old tight end.
It is also looking like Trey Flowers will be sporting a new uniform in 2019.
Mlive indicates that Flowers will not receive the franchise tag this spring. That means the pass rush expert is expected to test free agency when the market opens on March 13.
This is big news for a team like the Detroit Lions, which are in need of a guy like Flowers.
The Lions defense made tremendous strides under Matt Patricia in his first season as head coach, but adding someone like Flowers would be a huge upgrade in terms of pressuring the opposing team's quarterback.
Patricia knows Flowers very well. The two teamed up in New England for three seasons (2015-2017) when Patricia was the Patriots defensive coordinator.
Pitch for Collins grows
Many Detroit Lions players want Landon Collins to head to Motown in 2019. According to Pride of Detroit, now that Collins has found out he will not be franchise tagged by the New York Giants, several Lions players are making a pitch for the free/strong safety on Twitter.
Quandre Diggs started the lobbying for Collins over two weeks ago and now other Lions players have joined in as well.
Former New York Giants teammates of Collins that are now members of the Lions took to Twitter on Tuesday to help try to get the Collins-to-Detroit campaign going!
Former New York Giants standout and now Lions linebacker and team captain Devon Kennard told Collins it is "time for you to join ya boys in that Honolulu blue fam!"
Trey Flowers and Landon Collins would be great additions to the rising Lions defense. One thing is for sure - when NFL free agency opens one-week from today, it will be interesting to see what coach Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn do.
The Lions do have a lot of money (over $50 million) to work with under the cap) but signing all three players would probably not be possible. However, even adding one of these three would be a great addition to the 2019 Lions roster.