Read more about why linebacker Foysaday Olukun makes sense to defend the Detroit Lions.
The Detroit Lions have more than a few fields to address on the defensive side of the ball this season.
Chief among them, however, is the linebacker Spot.
The Lions can fill the void by drafting a player in the event of this year's NFL Draft (ie Nakobe Dean of Georgia).
If he is still number 32 overall for Detroit, Dean will be a well-received selection by the organization.
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Still, that may not happen, and the Lions' front office, led by general manager Brad Holmes, may, in fact, choose to go the free-agency route to upgrade the position.
If so, there are many interesting names for Lions to consider.
From Super Bowl champions Von Miller, Bobby Wagner and Donta Hightower to fellow legends Anthony Barr and Melvin Ingram, the options are plentiful.
Still, the chances of any of those aforementioned players landing in Motown are slim.
That's why it would be wise for Detroit to turn its attention to less heralded names that still have proven productive in recent memory.
Enter Atlanta Falcons middle linebacker Foysade Olukun.
Oluokun, who will turn 27 during the upcoming season, was the Falcons' sixth-rounder in 2018.
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He made only 10 combined starts in his first two seasons in the league.
But, since then, he has been highly productive, and has been a tackling machine.
During the last two seasons, he has made a total of 309 tackles. Additionally, he has produced 16 QB hits, five sacks, five forced fumbles, 10 pass defenses and five interceptions.
And, this past season, he made an NFL-high 192 total tackles in 17 games with the Falcons.
It may not get the fanfare of the other names above. But, if the deal is struck by Holmes & Co., Olukun will still give Detroit's linebackers unit a big boost.
The St. Louis, Mo., product has 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 reduce Detroit's need to find a linebacker in the draft.
Holmes and Company could instead focus their attention on drafting a quarterback or wide receiver at No. 32 like North Carolina QB Sam Howell or North Dakota State WR Christian Watson.
So, if I were Detroit's front office, I would be working hard to get Olukun to contract this off-season.