The first day of NFL free agency is out of the way and the Detroit Lions were not very active right off the bat. After four years of covering Brad Holmes and company during free agency, I can’t really say I’m surprised.
While the Lions didn’t get involved in any of the huge major deals, there are still a lot of really good players left on the market and the Lions could be looking to add some of them. Here are the top 10 players that come to mind for Detroit:
All projected contract numbers come from cap expert Joshua Queipo.
Edge Azeez Ojulari
This is a guy who makes a lot of sense for the Lions. He has traditionally been a depth guy for the Giants behind Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns, but that has not stopped him from getting to the quarterback. He has 109 pressures and 26 sacks in 46 games with only 30 of those being starts. The Lions could get him for a cheap two-year deal worth $10 million.
Edge Joey Bosa
Look, I don’t particularly think that Bosa is the best fit for the Lions and there has been a lot of injury issues for him lately, but if you can get a fully healthy Joey Bosa and he buys into the Lions culture, ther’es no doubt he’s a good player.
Edge Matthew Judon
This is not the most exciting move the Lions could make opposite Hutchinson, but he would be a very intriguing depth piece at 33 years old. He could be a one-year deal worth $8 million. That’s not bad to bring the Grand Valley State grad back to Michigan.
Edge Anthony Nelson
A guy who played for new Lions defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers in Tampa Bay and would be a strong depth piece for Detroit. He had 33 pressures and four sacks in 2024. He also played a little bit on offense which makes things a little more interesting for a team that likes to use players in multiple ways. He comes in at two-years for $12 million.
OL Kevin Zeitler
This is one of the most important moves that Brad Holmes can make in free agency. Getting the Lions offensive line set again with a guy who was one of the best guards in football in 2024 is something that is likely high on the Lions list of things to do. If they don’t get him back, there will be other options.
OL Brandon Scherff
In a perfect world, you see the Lions sign both Zeitler and Schreff and have their interior just be plain old dominant along with Frank Ragnow. If you can only get one and that’s not Zeitler, the five-time Pro Bowler would be nice in Detroit on a two-year deal worth $13 million.
OL Mehki Becton
If the Lions wanted to go all out on the offensive line, bringing in Mehki Beckton would be the move to do that. They get a 25-year-old guard who can grow with the team over the next few years and give the Lions one less spot to worry about. The problem is that Detroit would have to pay him a projected $41 million over three years.
WR Keenan Allen
The Lions may feel more like they want to draft a receiver and I’m sure they would either way, but Allen brings experience to this team that their offense could use. While he’s on the older side of things, he can still be versatile. He worked in the slot and outside for the Bears last year. In Detroit he would be the WR3 on a two-year deal worth $24.5 million.
S Damar Hamlin
This is not a novelty move for the Lions. This guy fits what Detroit loves to do with their safeties. He’s a strong tackler and can rush the passer. If the Lions lose Ifeatu Melifonwu, here’s a chance to get a guy with the same skillset to replace him. He can be had on a two-year deal for $6 million.
DL Levi Onwuzurike
It’s hard not to think that Detroit is the best spot for Onwuzurike. This team stood by him through all the injuries and they’d likely be the one team that signs him to what he deserves over worry about said injuries. A two-year $28 million deal would be great for him.