Why LB Foyesade Oluokun Makes Sense for Lions' Defense
The Detroit Lions have more than a few areas of need to address on the defensive side of the ball this offseason.
However, chief among them is the linebacker spot.
The Lions could fill the void by drafting a player at the position in this year's NFL Draft (i.e. Georgia's Nakobe Dean).
If he's still around for Detroit at No. 32 overall, Dean would be a well-received selection by the organization.
Yet, that might not be the case, and the Lions' front office, led by general manager Brad Holmes, might, in fact, opt to go the free-agency route to upgrade the position.
If so, there is a number of interesting names for the Lions to consider.
From Super Bowl champions Von Miller, Bobby Wagner and Dont'a Hightower, to fellow veterans Anthony Barr and Melvin Ingram, the options are plentiful.
Yet, the likelihood of any of those above players landing in Motown is low.
It's why Detroit would be wise to turn its attention to less heralded names that have still proven to be productive in recent memory.
Enter Atlanta Falcons middle linebacker Foyesade Oluokun.
Dale Zanine, USA TODAY Sports
Oluokun, who will be 27 during the upcoming season, was a sixth-round pick of the Falcons in 2018.
He only started 10 combined games his first two seasons in the league.
But, since then, he's been ultra productive, and has been a tackling machine.
Over the course of the last two seasons, he's recorded 309 total tackles. Additionally, he's produced 16 QB hits, five sacks, five forced fumbles, 10 passes defensed and five interceptions.
And, this past season, he logged an NFL-high 192 total tackles in 17 games with the Falcons.
He might not get the fanfare of the other names above. But, if inked to a deal by Holmes & Co., Oluokun still would provide a major boost to Detroit's linebackers unit.
The St. Louis, Mo., product possesses the skill set to anchor an NFL team's defense for years to come.
Additionally, if Oluokun were to be signed by the Lions, it would alleviate the need for Detroit to find a linebacker in the draft.
Holmes & Co. could instead focus their attention on drafting a quarterback or wide receiver at No. 32, such as North Carolina QB Sam Howell or North Dakota State WR Christian Watson.
So, if I were Detroit's front office, I'd be making a hard push to ink Oluokun to a contract this offseason.
