If the Detroit Lions want to look more like an NFL team and appear less like a dumpster on fire, then they need to plug plenty of holes on their team. The Lions nearly went winless for an entire year – again – in 2021, as it took them 13 games before they finally notched a victory. They eventually ended up with a 3-13-1 record.

Detroit didn’t have a lot of memorable moments in such a forgettable campaign, but the Lions wrapped it 2021 up with an upset victory at home against the Green Bay Packers. That must have felt like a playoff win for the Lions, but the real victories they need to make to feel better about their chances going forward will have to happen in this offseason. Detroit has to be busy and its front office has to make impactful moves before Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season rolls around. Otherwise, the Lions could be subjecting their fans to another year of disappointments.

Lions 3 Bold Predictions

4. Jarvis Landry signs with the Lions

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry may or may not be happy with his stint with the team. He also seems to be unsure whether Cleveland does want him to stay, as he said in a recent tweet.

3/3 I have put the ball in CLE court by telling them I would like to stay but if not then I’m confident enough in myself to be a better healthy me this year and moving forward to helping do my part in winning a championship elsewhere.

In any case, the Lions could be taking a look at Landry’s situation in Cleveland, as Detroit could be a landing spot for the wide receiver in the event that he gets cut by the Browns. Landry has one more deal left on his current contract that would earn him $14.3 million if doesn’t get waived, but the Browns could save a lot by cutting him as the former LSU Tigers star only carries a $1.5 million dead cap.

The Lions need more playmakers. Landry wasn’t at his best in 2021, as he only had 57o receiving yards and two touchdowns on 52 receptions – all career lows, albeit in just 12 games and while playing in a run-heavy offense of Cleveland. Detroit should spend on upgrading their receiving corps. In 2021, the Lions were 12th in the NFL in pass play percentage but only 18th in passing yards per game and second-last in third-down conversion rate. Landry will not cure the ills of Detroit’s offense but if he’s healthy, and even at age 29, he could easily become the WR1 for the Lions.

3. Kalif Raymond gets re-signed

The Lions’ offense was a wasteland in 2021, but it’s not completely bereft of players who impressed with their play on the field. Among them is wide receiver Kalif Raymond, who just had a career year. In 2021, Raymond capitalized on Lions injuries and turnovers in the wide receiver room and came up with his best season yet in the NFL. Raymond had 576 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 48 receptions and 71 targets across 16 games (14 starts). Are those enough to warrant a serious look from the Lions for a potential new contract?

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Raymond is an incoming free agent and he’s likely not going to cost a lot for the Lions to bring back. It makes sense for Detroit to try to keep him and see if the momentum he built in 2021 would continue in 2022. Raymond isn’t someone who’ll either be the No. 1 or No. 2 guy downfield, but he offers great value as a depth guy – and as a punt returner. It should be noted as well that Raymond averaged 11.2 yards per punt return on 21 tries in 2021 and went 6 of 8 with two touchdown grabs in the red zone.

2. Detroit adds a tight end

It can’t be just TJ Hockenson giving the tight end position life in Detroit. The production from that spot was barely existent for the Lions in 2021 outside of what Hockenson had provided the team. After Hockenson underwent season-ending thumb surgery in December, the Lions did not see another tight end step up. Instead, it was Raymond and Amon-Ra St. Brown who took advantage of the extra targets. Adding another dependable tight end eighter from free agency or from the draft wouldn't hurt Detroit. Among the tight ends the Lions could go after are Zach Ertz, CJ Uzomah, Gerald Everett, and David Njoku.

1. The Lions use a first-round pick on Kenny Pickett 

Let's really be bold here. The Lions are heavily projected to pick anyone among Evan Neal, Aidan Hutchison, and Kayvon Thibodeaux for their No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and it's highly likely that Kenny Pickett will be gone before Detroit gets its turn again for the last pick in the first round. But if Pickett remained available at No. 32, the Lions must at least be very interested in taking him.

Detroit's offense isn't going to subsist on Jared Goff's arm forever. The Lions would've cut him this year if not for that expensive $30.5 million dead cap, but expect them to eject the quarterback the soonest it makes total sense, and someone will have to be ready to step up by then.  Kenny Pickett could be that guy for the Lions.