4 potential 2021 Free Agents the Lions should be watching during the Conference Championships
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell are just settling into Allen Park, but the duo are wasting no time putting in work, building their staffs and examining the roster.
As they acclimate, the team scouts are still hard at work, preparing to scout the 2021 NFL Conference Championship games. Today’s games will feature the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers (3:05 pm EST on FOX), followed by the Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs (6:40 EST on CBS).
This is the third installment in this series examining potential free agents on playoff teams, so I took a slightly different approach and identified veteran fringe players who could potentially provide a role on the Lions roster.
Here are four of those players — one from each team — that the Lions should be watching during today’s games.
Bucs: LeSean McCoy, RB, Age: 33
This isn’t a blockbuster move by any means but the Lions could use a veteran reserve back to help D’Andre Swift and Kerryon Johnson acclimate to new offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn’s scheme.
When Lynn was the Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator in 2016, the team finished first in the NFL in rushing and was led by McCoy’s 1,267 rush yards. He’s no longer capable of generating 100 touches a season, but he can still contribute in the passing game, and more importantly, in the locker room.
Previously profiled for Bucs: Shaquil Barrett, EDGE
Previously profiled for Bucs: Ndamukong Suh, DT
Packers: Tavon Austin, WR/PR, Age: 30
The year Holmes was promoted to director of college scouting for the Rams (2013), the team used the eighth overall pick in the draft to select Tavon Austin.
He spent six years with the Rams, often utilized as an offensive weapon, lining up in the slot and the backfield as a runner. In his final year with them (2017), he rushed the ball 59 times, but only made 13 receptions as his game began to tamper off. He spent the next two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and split this season between the San Francisco 49ers and Packers, but he also failed to eclipse 13 receptions in any of those seasons.
Expect the #Packers to use Tavon Austin in a similar fashion. Orbit motions, quick screens, and end arounds are all on the table. pic.twitter.com/XnGVJvYJpt
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) November 30, 2020
Austin is firmly a gadget player at this stage in his career, but the Lions are going to need a lot of options at receiver and he should be inexpensive.
Previously profiled for Packers: Kevin King, CB
Bills: Trent Murphy, EDGE, Age: 31
Murphy is a rotational pass rusher at this stage of his career, but if the Lions shift to a 34 Over scheme under DC Aaron Glenn that relies on a one-gapping hybrid EDGE defender, he could provide veteran depth on the EDGE along with youngsters Austin Bryant and Julain Okwara.
Trent Murphy works to the heelline & watches the mesh. He knows he has QB on the read play. Once Jackson pulls it, @TMurphy_93 works flat & keeps him in front. Ends up closing & making the tackle. Can't defend it much better than that! #BillsMafia #BALvsBUF #StopTheRun pic.twitter.com/3ixzJjWXlU
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) January 17, 2021
Previously profiled for Bills: Isaiah McKenzie, Slot WR
Previously profiled for Bills: Matt Milano, LB
Chiefs: Stefen Wisnewski, IOL, Age: 32
Capable of playing guard and center, Wisnewski is a more experienced (106 career starts) version of Joe Dahl that a coaching staff can feel confident about spot starting.
In 2019, he started at left guard for the Super Bowl winning Chiefs, but this offseason he signed with his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers. He was injured and eventually released, then re-joined the Chiefs for another Super Bowl run.
