A post-draft look at the Falcons’ 2017 opponents: The Lions, Game Three
FLOWERY BRANCH — A look at the teams on the Falcons' schedule and how they have reconstructed their roster since the season's end:
GAME THREE: DETROIT LIONS
Falcons at Lions, at 1 p.m. Sept. 24
No longer with the Lions: Tackle Riley Reiff, guard Larry Warford, wide receiver Anquan Boldin and linebacker DeAndre Levy.
Key free agent signings: Right tackle Ricky Wagner; guard T.J. Lang; defensive tackle Akeem Spence; defensive end Cornelius Washington; cornerback D.J. Hayden; linebacker Paul Worrilow; tight end Darren Fell; linebacker Nick Bellore and defensive tackle Jordan Hill.
The 2017 Draftees:
| 1 | 21 | Jarrad Davis | LB | Florida |
| 2 | 53 | Teez Tabor | CB | Florida |
| 3 | 96 | Kenny Golladay | WR | Northern Illinois |
| 4 | 124 | Jalen Reeves-Maybin | LB | Tennessee |
| 4 | 127 | Michael Roberts | TE | Toledo |
| 5 | 165 | Jamal Agnew | CB | San Diego |
| 6 | 205 | Jeremiah Ledbetter | DE | Arkansas |
| 6 | 215 | Brad Kaaya | QB | Miami (Fla.) |
| 7 | 250 | Pat O'Connor | DE | Eastern Michigan |
Weaknesses: The Lions are trying to improve their speed on defense and in the linebacking corps. They believe they have a winner in first-round pick Jarrad Davis. He made 158 tackles in his two seasons as a starter and missed four games last year with a high ankle sprain. The Lions finished last in Defense-adjusted Value Over Average last season for total defense as well as rushing and passing defense.
Strengths: The Lions made it a priority to improve the offensive line by signing Wagner, Lang and Fells, a fine blocking tight end. They want to help quarterback Matthew Stafford, who had to guide them to eight comeback victories last season. A better run game and upgraded protection for Stafford, who's been sacked 126 times over the past three seasons, is vital to the Lions being able to make a playoff push out of the NFC North.
Comment: The Lions went 9-7 last season, but were 6-2 at Ford Field. They looked like a playoff-bound team before a late-season collapse with three straight losses to the New York Giants, Dallas and Green Bay.
FALCONS SCHEDULE
Exhibition season
Falcons at Miami Dolphins at 7 p.m. Aug. 10
Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers at 4 p.m. Aug. 20
Arizona Cardinals at Falcons at 7 p.m. Aug. 26
Jacksonville Jaguars at Falcons at 7 p.m. Aug. 31
Regular season
Sept. 10 at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m., Fox
Sept. 17 Green Bay Packers, 8:30 p.m. NBC
Sept. 24 at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. Fox
Oct. 1 Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m., CBS
Oct. 8 BYE
Oct. 15 Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m., CBS
Oct. 22 at New England Patriots, 8:30 p.m., NBC
Oct. 29 at New York Jets, 1 p.m., Fox
Nov. 5 at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m., Fox
Nov. 12 Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m., Fox
Nov. 20 at Seattle Seahawks (Mon) 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Nov. 26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m., Fox
Dec. 3 Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m., Fox
Dec. 7 New Orleans Saints (Thur), 8:25 p.m., NBC/NFL Network/Amazon
Dec. 18 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Mon). 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Dec. 24 at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m., Fox
Dec. 31 Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m., Fox
THE FALCONS 2017 DRAFT
MUST READ PROFILE: Falcons top pick McKinley makes name for himself
2017 Falcons report card: Falcons earn a B-plus
NFC Champs add a pass rusher, quality depth
1st rounder: Meet defensive end Takkarist McKinley
5th rounder: Meet defensive back Damontae Kazee
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
