Shawn Windsor | Detroit Free Press

Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press

Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

They snagged a safety who likes to defend the run. And a defensive end who likes to play tackle.

At this point, the best thing we can say about the Detroit Lions' two new defensive players is that they're versatile.

It's theme these days in Allen Park. Find players who can do more than one thing, no matter what side of the ball they play on.

It was a theme in the Lions' draft strategy, too. Which isn't surprising, considering the general manager, Bob Quinn, and the coach, Matt Patricia, worked for the nimblest franchise in football – New England.

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I know, I know. You're sick of the reference. Or maybe just sick of the Patriots. Maybe all you cared about was finding a traditional edge rusher in last week's draft.

That's fine. The Lions' defense stunk last season.

But there is a reason Quinn used four of the team's six picks the last week on offensive players. Actually, there are a few.

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Detroit Lions draft pick Frank Ragnow introduced at Allen Park

Let's start with the new coach. Because, in effect, he was the team's top draft pick this year.

He is the one who – Quinn hopes – makes the biggest difference in the team's defense. Because he is the most versatile of all.

That's the gamble, anyway. And it's not necessarily a bad one.

After all, if Patricia can turn Kyle Van Noy – the former Lions linebacker – into a productive player, then what can't he do?

Besides, as noted, Quinn added an intriguing piece to the defensive line with fourth-round pick, Da'Shawn Hand, and he signed three linebackers during free agency – big, rangy types that Patricia favored in new England.

Wochit

Better for blitzing the quarterback. And better for playing chess.

Patricia believes in changing defensive strategy from week to week and often even from play to play. This means players must be quick on their feet, yes, but also quick within their mind.

They also must be tough, at least relative to the NFL. It's a word Quinn used this weekend to describe the kind of changes they wanted to make this offseason on the roster.

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"We want a big, strong, tough, physical team in the trenches," he said. " So, that’s my job to kind of fill those roles in terms of the player side, and then it’s Matt and his coaches to kind of implement that style in terms of scheme."

Yet the emphasis isn't just for the trenches. It's everywhere. It's why the Lions signed the linebackers. Why they selected a fullback, Nick Bawden, in the seventh round – "wanted to add … a physical presence," said Quinn.

Why they've spent the last three years fortifying the offensive line, including grabbing two more lineman in the draft last week.

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If you think about it, developing a physical offensive line is its own kind of defense. A line that can help keep the offense on the field means the defense faces fewer plays.

And gets more rest.

That should help the defense. So should the return of defensive end Kerry Hyder. He missed last season with a torn Achilles' tendon. And while that injury can rob a player of explosiveness, it doesn't always.

When healthy, Hyder, who will turn 27 on Wednesday, was a productive player. The Lions missed him a year ago. Missed, too, the best version of Ziggy Ansah.

It will be up to Patricia – and the Lord of football health – to make certain Ansah returns to his best form. Or at least to something close to it.

And it will be up to Patricia to mix and match the defensive pieces he's got to improve upon last year's dismal standard. Remember, a team doesn't need a dominant defense to make a playoff run. It needs an opportunistic one.

One that's nimble and unpredictable. One that's tough, too.

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This is how you would describe Patricia's better defenses in New England, where he didn't always have a locker room full of All-Pros. But where he did have a room full of players who knew exactly what he wanted … and how to provide it.

He also had one of the top offenses in the league every year. And while he had little to do with that, he obviously learned how much productive offense helped his defense.

When he and Quinn looked at the Lions' strengths this winter, they saw an offense that was (relatively) prolific despite the NFL's worst rushing attack. Which means that for a team they think is ready to win, adding> resources on the offensive side makes more sense.

This explains why Quinn used four of his six picks in the draft on offense. It also explains why Patricia remains the most important pick of all.

Contact Shawn Windsor: 313-222-6487 or swindsor@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @shawnwindsor. Download our Lions Xtra app for free on Apple and Android!

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Meet Detroit Lions second-round pick Kerryon Johnson