The Detroit Lions are likely to make full-scale changes to the defensive side of the ball at the end of the season. The team finishes last in allowed points, yards allowed and defensive DVOA, an efficiency statistic from Football Outsiders.
In a last-ditch effort to save the season – and keep their jobs – the Lions opted for a mid-season trade to bolster their pace. The Lions sent a conditional pick from the sixth round (who could pick in a fifth round) to defensive Everson Griffen, who started slowly in his first season with the Dallas Cowboys.
It is clear that Griffen alone was not enough to turn the defense and the team around in time to save someone’s job. But let’s look back at his 2020 season to see if the trade was still worth it, and if Griffen could even return again next year.
Previous profiles for free agencies: Danny Amendola, Matt Prater, Jamal Agnew
Everson Griffen
Expectations on the way to 2020
After ten years in Minnesota, Griffen reached the market for free agencies, but he did not immediately get a new team. Instead, teams took their time with Griffen, who saw a clear decline in his game with the Vikings, although he was able to score 8.0 bags in 2019.
In the end, the Cowboys were the team to give Griffen a chance and in August signed him to a $ 6 million one-year contract.
By the time the Cowboys traded him to Detroit, expectations seemed to be limited, but that did not stop Lions fans from getting over the trade. At the time, the Lions were 3-3 and needed a passion chase. Griffen opted for a day 3 draft seemed to be a more than reasonable price, and as such, 92 percent of fans gave an A or B grade.
Real role in 2020
2020 statistics: 7 matches: 13 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 3 passes defended
PFF degree: 69.5
Griffen’s play was about the same level as where he was as a 33-year-old defender. He was able to bring the team a little extra pass rate, and ended the season with an 80.1 pass rate, just second to Romeo Okwara in the team, and his 15 pressure was third on the team, despite only seven games. He also has an unmistakable intensity for practice, games and even press conferences.
However, it was always too much to ask for Griffen to come in and solve all of Detroit’s hectic problems. At his age, he did not recruit the crabs of an appetizer, and Detroit did not get as many third and long opportunities to allow him to prick up his ears and chase.
Finally, was it worth sending a Day 3 pick in the hopes that an aging defender would help turn the season defensively? Probably not. Griffins alone, without any fault, would never prevent the ship from sinking. Although I’m assuming you can not blame general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia for that.
Outlook for 2021
Contract status: Unlimited Free Player
If there is such a thing as a ‘bridge edge rusher’, I think Griffen could be that the Lions are looking for a more long-term option to push opposing backs. There is much more talk about bringing back Romeo Okwara, who had a breakthrough season in 2020, but he will cost much more.
Of course, for a second season in Detroit to even be possible, Griffen should be interested in coming back. But once the season was over, Griffen made it clear in a series of social media posts that he was interested in playing with the Vikings again. It’s unclear if the feeling is reciprocal, but it’s never a good sign for your chance to sign again if the player is already looking for greener pastures.
It may be unlikely to sign again, but do not expect the Lions to get a compensatory choice for Griffen. His contract is unlikely to be big enough, and last year he signed so late in the off-season that it does not count towards the Vikings’ comparison.