Notes: Lions get Melvin Gordon, 2 others in PFF’s predictions for top-50 free agents

With rumors swirling and free agency quickly approaching, one Pro Football Focus analyst predicts the Detroit Lions will make some moves and land three of PFF’s top-50 free agents.

Using their analysis, grading system, team needs, and other factors, PFF created a list of top 50 free agents this offseason. PFF’s Anthony Treash predicts players 39, 40 and 49 on that list could head to Detroit. Ranked number 39, the analyst sends running back Melvin Gordon III to the Lions for a 4-year, $7 million a year deal.

On why he’s ranked so low: “Melvin Gordon III killed his value by holding out for a new contract and won’t fetch many bones on the open market because of it.”

But Treash still cites Gordon’s career-high 89.1 rushing grade in 2018 and 2.1 yards before contact as perks, despite dipping to a 71.7 grade the following season.

“Someone will end up paying him, though, and Detroit seems to be a prime candidate to do that. They had a top-10 run-blocking unit but failed to surpass the 25th percentile in team rushing grade as they cycled through multiple backs all season long,” he writes.

For numbers 40 and 49, click here to read his full piece.

Aaaaannndddd the rest of your notes:

• ESPN’s Adam Schefter threw the football world in a tizzy Wednesday, announcing potential changes to the NFL’s playoff structure. John Maakaran of Sports Illustrated’s LionsMaven explores whether Detroit could be the first seven seed in the NFC.
• The other day I told you about how LionsWire is doing a mock draft series selecting prospects exclusively from one school. First, it was the University of Michigan, next is Ohio State.
• Reminder, the Detroit Lions Charities online auction wraps up today:

• Another “where are they now” from detroitlions.com’s Mike O’Hara, this one featuring former Lions defensive end Robert Porcher.
• Oddsmakers with Caesars Sportsbook say the Lions and Miami Dolphins were co-favorites (-110 odds) to draft Tua Tagovailoa. Mlive’s Benjamin Raven has more.
• Combine previews galore from detroitlions.com’s Tim Twentyman. Next up: quarterbacks.