What the Loss of George Johnson Could Mean to the Lions Defensive Line

    On Tuesday, the Tampa Buccaneers signed DE George Johnson to a three year offer sheet.  The Lions have five days to match the Bucs offer.  If the Lions do not sign the offer, what will be the effects to the defensive line be?

With the loses of Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley, C.J. Wilson unsigned and the potential  loss of George Johnson the Lion's front office will need to replace 52 percent of the snaps taken last season by the defensive line.  Although Detroit has brought two defensive tackles, Haloti Ngata (via trade), and Tyrunn Walker (free agent) the question still remains, how do the Lions make up for the lost production?

While Ngata is still a very good player that performs at a high level, how much does the 31 year old have left in the tank.  The idea of Ngata coming to Detroit is to be able to fill the role left by Suh's departure.  Last season Ngata had 546 snaps in the regular season (was suspended 4 games) that comes to about 65% of the per game snaps for those 12 games played.  Transversely Suh got 875 snaps and around 82% of the defensive snaps per game.  Can Ngata still be productive with an increase in snaps?   Or do the Lions look to others to step up?

Some of the players that HC Caldwell and DC Austin might ask to step up in playing time could be the other defensive tackle new to the team Tyrunn Walker.

Walker spent last season playing for the Saints in a rotational role logging 306 snaps.  Although the Saint's defensive was ranked 31st in the NFL in yardage allowed, Tyrunn seemed to be an emerging young player racking up 3 sacks and 14 quarterbacks hurries.  Despite a solid showing for the 3rd year UDFA defensive tackle, the question remains, can Walker continue his strong player with an increased workload?

Two players other players that the coaching staff might lean on is defensive ends Devin Taylor and defensive tackle Caraun Reid.  Taylor was a 4th round pick in 2013 and Reid a 5th round last season. 2014.  Taylor has two years under his belt but has struggle to transition his game to the NFL level, only registering 3 sacks in 504 defensive snaps in his two seasons.  While Reid has shown promise, that promise only came in the form of 112 snaps last season.

The rest of the defensive line includes budding star Ziggy Ansah, aging vet Jason Jones, and journeyman Darryl Tapp and of course option C player Andre Fluellen.  These players are pretty much max out on there playing time and should not expect an increase in snaps.

So there it is, if the Lions were to lose George Johnson to the Buccaneers, where does the production came from?