Except he doesn't suck.
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2025 Detroit Lions: 1-1 Lion crush Da Bears. Still seats available on the Bandwagon. (173 Viewers)
- Thread starter Da Guru
- Start date
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Fipp needs to pair Rock Ya-Sin with Kenny Yeboah as much as possible on ST coverage snaps.
CB5, not gonna see the field unless two of DJ, Terrion, Amik and Rake are hurt.
He's bigger than KV, and actually had some good PFF coverage grades 2019, 2021 & 2023.
Hey....all his bad years were even numbered, so we're on the right cycle at least.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Good news! Hoping he makes a full recovery. Heard it was a clean break for both him and Hutch expecting both to be ready Week 1. McNeill probably won't play until October or midseason, and Malcolm was the other ACL injury, so I presume he might be on the PUP as well.
Dorsey is too little to rely on to play outside but he's super fast and a great returner.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Pros and Cons of Lions Re-Signing Za'Darius Smith
Still possible they resign Smith, at something less than the $11M cap hit they were going to take if they didn't cut him.
G Kayode Awosika could also be brought back, they def need at least one more IOL. He has been decent in spot starts the last few years. He recently got married (bunch of NFL players went) and was honeymooning in Mexico, but should be back in the States now.
Still possible they resign Smith, at something less than the $11M cap hit they were going to take if they didn't cut him.
G Kayode Awosika could also be brought back, they def need at least one more IOL. He has been decent in spot starts the last few years. He recently got married (bunch of NFL players went) and was honeymooning in Mexico, but should be back in the States now.
Moonlight
Footballguy
First thought is that if we can sign him at a good rate on a one year and pair him with a talented draft choice that would be a good situation. He was a productive player last year.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
167 days until opening night
Allen Park — Moving on with our film review of Detroit’s offseason additions, let’s take a closer look at linebacker Grant Stuard.
The format for these studies will include a short bio, recent statistics, injury history, athletic profile, schematic usage, and a comprehensive evaluation of the player’s skill set with supporting clips from their 2024 tape.
Recruited by several colleges, Stuard accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Houston, where he played four seasons. A two-year starter, he served as a captain and earned first-team all-conference honors as a senior.
Selected with the final pick in the 2021 draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Stuard played one season with the club, primarily on special teams, before he was shipped to the Colts. He’s spent the last three seasons with Indianapolis, logging 956 snaps on special teams and carving out a defensive role in 2024 that included five starts.
2022: 15 games, 264 special teams snaps, 11 special teams tackles
2023: 17 games, 31 defensive snaps, 350 special teams snaps, six special teams tackles
2024: 17 games, 229 defensive snaps, 342 special teams snaps, 40 tackles (2 for a loss), 84.5 passer rating against when targeted in coverage
Stuard is listed at 5-foot-11, 230 pounds. His arm length was measured at 30 1/8 inches ahead of his draft.
On special teams, he played a varied and versatile role, seeing extensive snaps on kickoff block and return, punt block and return and field goal block. On punt block, he primarily served as the right tackle in the formation. With the other units, the Colts moved Stuard all over.
On his first run snap against Miami, Stuard dipped under the block of left guard Robert Jones to drop the back in the hole after a gain of 2 yards.
Against the Jets, he demonstrates an ability to stack the tight end and shed the block while moving downline to make a stop after a modest gain.
And in a road matchup in Denver, Stuard maintains his leverage while taking on fullback Michael Burton, powering through the effort to stop the ball carrier for no gain.
Stuard plays with tremendous effort, and his motor doesn’t stop. He doesn’t give up on plays, and there are multiple examples on tape of him tracking the ball down from the backside.
Stuard is fundamentally sound against the run, both between the tackles and while setting edges. He rarely concedes his gap, and his tackle technique is outstanding. In 2024, he played the most defensive snaps of his career and didn’t have a single missed tackle while playing the run.
If there’s a weakness, Stuard occasionally gets overwhelmed by length and can be sealed out of a run lane.
Coverage: Stuard is less refined in coverage than he is against the run. The Colts primarily play zone and typically ask him to occupy an underneath area in their Cover-2 and Cover-3 looks. There’s an uncertainty with his footwork, but he does his best to adjust his positioning by following the quarterback’s eyes.
The speed in space is above average, allowing him to rapidly close ground to address scrambling quarterbacks. And he’s got a quick downhill trigger on check-down throws.
He also showcased his trigger when blowing up a screen for a loss of 7 yards against the Vikings.
The tackling in space is adequate but not as steady as it is in the box. In total, Stuard missed four stops in the passing game, two of which resulted in 10 or more extra yards after the catch. One was a miss in the flat, while the other was a poor angle on a quick throw to the tight end against Miami.
Stuard also whiffed on dump-offs across the middle to Tyreke Hill and Lions running back David Montgomery, but teammates quickly cleaned up both situations.
In man coverage, Stuard has the speed to track the back into the flat, but he struggles with mirroring change-of-direction routes up the field. Houston's Joe Mixon earned easy separation running an angle route out of the backfield but dropped the wide-open throw. Against the Broncos, receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey wasn't targeted after getting open on a post pattern against Stuard.
Pass rush: Blitzing wasn't a viable part of Stuard's skill set last season. He rushed the quarterback just seven times and didn't affect the pocket once. The sample size is too small to offer a larger assessment, but he didn't demonstrate his block avoidance the way he occasionally does while playing the run.
Without question, Stuard is at his best when defending the run. He's assignment sound, effectively beats blocks, and is a steady tackler in traffic. Like most NFL linebackers, he's at his best in coverage when the action is in front of him. He has a quick downhill trigger to limit yards after the catch on check-down throws and the speed to run with running backs into the flat.
Like Rodriguez, Stuart can be comfortably started as an injury replacement. It wouldn't be surprising to see him subbed out in obvious passing situations on second-and-long and third downs.
As a special teams performer, he can do nearly anything he is asked. His effort is never in question.
Free agent film review: New Lions LB Grant Stuard proved he's more than a special teamer in 2024
Allen Park — Moving on with our film review of Detroit’s offseason additions, let’s take a closer look at linebacker Grant Stuard.
The format for these studies will include a short bio, recent statistics, injury history, athletic profile, schematic usage, and a comprehensive evaluation of the player’s skill set with supporting clips from their 2024 tape.
Games watched
Every defensive snap from the 2024 season.Bio
An all-district linebacker who saw some carries as a running back at Oak Ridge High School (Fla.), Stuard also won bronze medals as a member of the school’s 400-meter and 1,600-meter relay teams.Recruited by several colleges, Stuard accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Houston, where he played four seasons. A two-year starter, he served as a captain and earned first-team all-conference honors as a senior.
Selected with the final pick in the 2021 draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Stuard played one season with the club, primarily on special teams, before he was shipped to the Colts. He’s spent the last three seasons with Indianapolis, logging 956 snaps on special teams and carving out a defensive role in 2024 that included five starts.
Statistics
2021: 17 games, 26 defensive snaps, 311 special teams snaps, 15 special teams tackles2022: 15 games, 264 special teams snaps, 11 special teams tackles
2023: 17 games, 31 defensive snaps, 350 special teams snaps, six special teams tackles
2024: 17 games, 229 defensive snaps, 342 special teams snaps, 40 tackles (2 for a loss), 84.5 passer rating against when targeted in coverage
Durability
Stuard has missed two games during his four-year career, sitting out back-to-back contests with a pectoral strain in 2022. At Houston, he missed five games as a freshman with a torn meniscus.Athletic profile
We know Stuard is fast from his success running track, but he didn’t participate in drills during the pre-draft process. He only did the bench press, where he put up an impressive 28 reps.Stuard is listed at 5-foot-11, 230 pounds. His arm length was measured at 30 1/8 inches ahead of his draft.
Usage
Stuard served as an off-ball outside linebacker for the Colts. He earned a rotational role during the second half of last season after a 19-tackle performance in a spot start. He sparingly lined up along the line of scrimmage and would occasionally flex into the slot, especially later in the season.On special teams, he played a varied and versatile role, seeing extensive snaps on kickoff block and return, punt block and return and field goal block. On punt block, he primarily served as the right tackle in the formation. With the other units, the Colts moved Stuard all over.
Skill assessment
Run Defense: Despite a compact frame and shorter arms, Stuard does a nice job keeping blockers off his frame, whether avoiding the block altogether or shedding with a piston-like explosion through his upper body to create space to disengage.On his first run snap against Miami, Stuard dipped under the block of left guard Robert Jones to drop the back in the hole after a gain of 2 yards.
Against the Jets, he demonstrates an ability to stack the tight end and shed the block while moving downline to make a stop after a modest gain.
And in a road matchup in Denver, Stuard maintains his leverage while taking on fullback Michael Burton, powering through the effort to stop the ball carrier for no gain.
Stuard plays with tremendous effort, and his motor doesn’t stop. He doesn’t give up on plays, and there are multiple examples on tape of him tracking the ball down from the backside.
Stuard is fundamentally sound against the run, both between the tackles and while setting edges. He rarely concedes his gap, and his tackle technique is outstanding. In 2024, he played the most defensive snaps of his career and didn’t have a single missed tackle while playing the run.
If there’s a weakness, Stuard occasionally gets overwhelmed by length and can be sealed out of a run lane.
Coverage: Stuard is less refined in coverage than he is against the run. The Colts primarily play zone and typically ask him to occupy an underneath area in their Cover-2 and Cover-3 looks. There’s an uncertainty with his footwork, but he does his best to adjust his positioning by following the quarterback’s eyes.
The speed in space is above average, allowing him to rapidly close ground to address scrambling quarterbacks. And he’s got a quick downhill trigger on check-down throws.
He also showcased his trigger when blowing up a screen for a loss of 7 yards against the Vikings.
The tackling in space is adequate but not as steady as it is in the box. In total, Stuard missed four stops in the passing game, two of which resulted in 10 or more extra yards after the catch. One was a miss in the flat, while the other was a poor angle on a quick throw to the tight end against Miami.
Stuard also whiffed on dump-offs across the middle to Tyreke Hill and Lions running back David Montgomery, but teammates quickly cleaned up both situations.
In man coverage, Stuard has the speed to track the back into the flat, but he struggles with mirroring change-of-direction routes up the field. Houston's Joe Mixon earned easy separation running an angle route out of the backfield but dropped the wide-open throw. Against the Broncos, receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey wasn't targeted after getting open on a post pattern against Stuard.
Pass rush: Blitzing wasn't a viable part of Stuard's skill set last season. He rushed the quarterback just seven times and didn't affect the pocket once. The sample size is too small to offer a larger assessment, but he didn't demonstrate his block avoidance the way he occasionally does while playing the run.
Conclusion
Taking less than a half-million more than the veteran minimum to come to Detroit, it's easy to put Stuard in a special teams box. After all, that was the extent of his role for the first three years of his career. However, he showcased some defensive ability last season. He will solidify Detroit's linebacking depth, particularly while Malcolm Rodriguez recovers from his torn ACL.Without question, Stuard is at his best when defending the run. He's assignment sound, effectively beats blocks, and is a steady tackler in traffic. Like most NFL linebackers, he's at his best in coverage when the action is in front of him. He has a quick downhill trigger to limit yards after the catch on check-down throws and the speed to run with running backs into the flat.
Like Rodriguez, Stuart can be comfortably started as an injury replacement. It wouldn't be surprising to see him subbed out in obvious passing situations on second-and-long and third downs.
As a special teams performer, he can do nearly anything he is asked. His effort is never in question.
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...n-top-despite-losses-lions-commanders-behind/
Below is something crazy I found in the above article. The insane part is in bold:
The biggest gain for the Lions are all the players they'll get back on defense who were on injured reserve during their playoff loss. Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Kyle Peko and Derrick Barnes will all be back as the defense ended up starting 30 players last season (the most for any team since the merger).
Below is something crazy I found in the above article. The insane part is in bold:
The biggest gain for the Lions are all the players they'll get back on defense who were on injured reserve during their playoff loss. Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Kyle Peko and Derrick Barnes will all be back as the defense ended up starting 30 players last season (the most for any team since the merger).
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
250+ games missed due to injuries by defensive players
I was looking at PFR defensive statistics on the Wayback Machine - after 10-12 weeks, top 5 defense in yardage allowed and points against, #1 in OPP 3rd Down conversion %. Had an interception every week through Week 11. Last 7 weeks, 2 INT v SF, 0 in the other 6 games.
Nothing is guaranteed but they could have a better defense simply by virtue of having Hutch and a few others staying healthy.
kutta
Footballguy
I hate it. Winning a division should be a BIG deal. It makes divisional rivalries that much bigger. Quit tinkering. The system is good the way it is.
I'd advocate for some sort of half-measure. Division winners get a home game unless the wild card has 2 or 3 more wins than the division winner, or something like that. Weed out the bad teams winning terrible divisions, but mostly keep the perk of winning the division there. Which would also avoid the scenario where a team that wins an extremely tough division with 11 wins loses a home game to an 11- or 12-win wild card team that picked up 4 of their wins against two absolute bottom-feeder teams in their own division. Which could actually happen to the Lions next year.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
The Detroit Lions aren’t done adding to their cornerback room. After signing both Rock Ya-Sinand Khalil Dorsey on Thursday, the Lions have reportedly signed veteran cornerback Avonte Maddox, as well.
Maddox was drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft and has spent all seven seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. Over that time he has primarily spent his time competing for the Eagles’ starting nickel cornerback job, although he has some experience playing on the outside as well. If he stays at nickel, he’ll likely compete with veteran Amik Robertson and 2024 second-round pick Ennis Rakestraw Jr. for playing time there.
Over those seven seasons in Philly, Maddox has played in 81 games and made 41 starts. He’s posted 36 passes defended, four interceptions, eight forced fumbles, 3.0 sacks, and 270 total tackles. At 5-foot-9, 184 pounds, Maddox fits the Lions’ mold of a physical, undersized corner who isn’t afraid to get involved in the run game.
Notably, Maddox is a Detroit native. He went to Martin Luther King High School in the heart of Detroit.
He’ll now join a cornerback room that is nicely rounded out with both young players and veterans. The following cornerbacks are currently signed to the Lions roster for 2025: Maddox, Robertson, Rakestraw, Ya-Sin, Dorsey, Terrion Arnold, D.J. Reed, and Stantley Thomas-Oliver.
This offseason, the Lions lost Carlton Davis and Kindle Vildor during free agency. Emmanuel Moseley remains unsigned.
Maddox was drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft and has spent all seven seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. Over that time he has primarily spent his time competing for the Eagles’ starting nickel cornerback job, although he has some experience playing on the outside as well. If he stays at nickel, he’ll likely compete with veteran Amik Robertson and 2024 second-round pick Ennis Rakestraw Jr. for playing time there.
Over those seven seasons in Philly, Maddox has played in 81 games and made 41 starts. He’s posted 36 passes defended, four interceptions, eight forced fumbles, 3.0 sacks, and 270 total tackles. At 5-foot-9, 184 pounds, Maddox fits the Lions’ mold of a physical, undersized corner who isn’t afraid to get involved in the run game.
Notably, Maddox is a Detroit native. He went to Martin Luther King High School in the heart of Detroit.
He’ll now join a cornerback room that is nicely rounded out with both young players and veterans. The following cornerbacks are currently signed to the Lions roster for 2025: Maddox, Robertson, Rakestraw, Ya-Sin, Dorsey, Terrion Arnold, D.J. Reed, and Stantley Thomas-Oliver.
This offseason, the Lions lost Carlton Davis and Kindle Vildor during free agency. Emmanuel Moseley remains unsigned.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
If Terrion makes the expected year 2 jump, that’s a strong defensive backfield.
- LCB - DJ Reed
- RCB - Terrion Arnold
- SLB - Amik Robertson
- FS - Kerby Joseph
- SS - Brian Branch
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
quick note on Maddox
Fipp coached him for three years, he had 275 ST snaps his first two seasons (then was pretty much off them the next 4 years)
I'm sure the Special Teams coordinator had input on this one
In 2024 he played a career high 231 ST snaps
4.39 speed, I'm guess he is replacing Vildor as the gunner opposite Khalil Dorsey
Fipp coached him for three years, he had 275 ST snaps his first two seasons (then was pretty much off them the next 4 years)
I'm sure the Special Teams coordinator had input on this one
In 2024 he played a career high 231 ST snaps
4.39 speed, I'm guess he is replacing Vildor as the gunner opposite Khalil Dorsey
Moonlight
Footballguy
It’s hard to make everything completely fair just doesn’t happen much.
A 14-3 team from a tough division losing a home game to a 9-8 team is a tough sell though.
msudaisy26
Footballguy
I kind of like the 3 game rules. Keep the seeds the same, but if the 4th seed is say 9 - 8 and the 5th seed is 12 - 5 or better then the 5 seed hosts the game.
Wouldn't be surprised at all if a healthy Ennis Rakestraw beat out Amik Robertson (who could then be a utility backup) for the slot job. He was a really good prospect just struggled to get healthy. Good problem to have. I'd very much argue Reed>>Davis. This is an improved secondary for sure.
rockaction
Footballguy
Regarding the Lions' proposal to alter the playoffs. Can we get something close to a balanced schedule before we do that? We have an awful lot of teams slipping by or with distorted records because they play the weak divisions in addition to their own.
Without wanting to cause a conflagration, the NFC North sent three teams to the playoffs and didn't win a game—and didn't really come close. And please don't get me wrong. I'm not knocking Detroit's accomplishments and I know that they were extraordinarily banged up, but three teams from that division and they got bupkis. Not even close.
So I think stuff like that is on the unbalanced schedule that assigns a rotating NFC and AFC division slate and then takes into account prime time watchable games and what teams were the year before rather than what they are that particular year for the final three games of the schedule.
I don't know how often bad teams get in, but I know there always seems to be one every year (in fairness, it's usually a bad division winner) that slips in there and everyone groans. There's no way Minnesota was a three-loss team last year. That's absurd. But thanks to the unbalanced schedule, voila! You've got a 14-3 record. Ridiculous. I mean they played the NFC West, the AFC South, and one from the NFC South and AFC and NFC East.
All lousy divisions last year, frankly. Unless you were playing two division winners, Tampa and Buffalo, like the Lions. Then you didn't get off easily. But those other teams sure seemed to. But my real point is to try and balance the schedule somehow within the conferences. I'm talking about increasing common opponents. You could easily just play all fifteen teams in your conference once and have two (three in the future) inter-conference matchups that take into account last year's record for a semblance of fairness, but the NFL would never sign off on that. I'm wondering if you guys all don't have any idea about how to do this.
Without wanting to cause a conflagration, the NFC North sent three teams to the playoffs and didn't win a game—and didn't really come close. And please don't get me wrong. I'm not knocking Detroit's accomplishments and I know that they were extraordinarily banged up, but three teams from that division and they got bupkis. Not even close.
So I think stuff like that is on the unbalanced schedule that assigns a rotating NFC and AFC division slate and then takes into account prime time watchable games and what teams were the year before rather than what they are that particular year for the final three games of the schedule.
I don't know how often bad teams get in, but I know there always seems to be one every year (in fairness, it's usually a bad division winner) that slips in there and everyone groans. There's no way Minnesota was a three-loss team last year. That's absurd. But thanks to the unbalanced schedule, voila! You've got a 14-3 record. Ridiculous. I mean they played the NFC West, the AFC South, and one from the NFC South and AFC and NFC East.
All lousy divisions last year, frankly. Unless you were playing two division winners, Tampa and Buffalo, like the Lions. Then you didn't get off easily. But those other teams sure seemed to. But my real point is to try and balance the schedule somehow within the conferences. I'm talking about increasing common opponents. You could easily just play all fifteen teams in your conference once and have two (three in the future) inter-conference matchups that take into account last year's record for a semblance of fairness, but the NFL would never sign off on that. I'm wondering if you guys all don't have any idea about how to do this.
An interesting analysis of value NFL teams got out of their players from draft picks in rounds 1-3 from the last 4 drafts (2021-24). The analysis was posted on reddit by a Bengals fan.
How much value did each team get from their recent draft picks in
Basically he used PFF ratings and snap count to provide a value to the team. So if you had two players like Hutch and Penei playing at elite levels, Penei has a score several times larger due to playing more games and getting many more snaps. But Hutch could score about the same as an average full time player. He then charted each teams drafted players total value versus the amount of draft capitol the team had in those years. Philly was 2nd but only managed to get about 2/3s of the total value Detroit had.
Needless to say, Detroit had by far more total player value from those drafts during last season than any other team. Detroit also had the third highest amount of draft capitol during that time frame.There were a handful of GMs who were slightly more efficient what they did with far less draft capitol, but no team came close to matching the load of talent which Holmes brought in or the efficiency in doing so.
He also threw in some data for rounds 4-7 at the end, and once again Detroit dominated getting far more player value than any other franchise. If he would have combined the data for rounds 1-7, Holmes would have dominated in both efficiency of getting values from the picks and completely destroyed the league in the total value to the team those players represent.
Holmes has done far more than any GM in the league at building through the draft than anyone. This is where the Lions make their big splash.
How much value did each team get from their recent draft picks in
Basically he used PFF ratings and snap count to provide a value to the team. So if you had two players like Hutch and Penei playing at elite levels, Penei has a score several times larger due to playing more games and getting many more snaps. But Hutch could score about the same as an average full time player. He then charted each teams drafted players total value versus the amount of draft capitol the team had in those years. Philly was 2nd but only managed to get about 2/3s of the total value Detroit had.
Needless to say, Detroit had by far more total player value from those drafts during last season than any other team. Detroit also had the third highest amount of draft capitol during that time frame.
He also threw in some data for rounds 4-7 at the end, and once again Detroit dominated getting far more player value than any other franchise. If he would have combined the data for rounds 1-7, Holmes would have dominated in both efficiency of getting values from the picks and completely destroyed the league in the total value to the team those players represent.
Holmes has done far more than any GM in the league at building through the draft than anyone. This is where the Lions make their big splash.
Last edited:
Actually, the chart in the article above is a bit misleading in that it does not start at 0,0. It starts at 750,0. In order for a GM to have been more efficient than the Lions, they would have to be above the line from 0,0 to the Lions data point. If the chart is expanded and a line is drawn, no GM in the league would have been more efficient than Brad Holmes at getting value for his picks. Brad Homes essentially won the grand slam of GMs over the last 4 years. Best overall haul in both rounds 1-3 and 4-7 and best efficiency in using his draft capitol to obtain it. I crossed out what was incorrect above.
ignatiusjreilly
Footballguy
Seems needlessly complicated. My proposal would be keep everything the same, except that the team with the better record gets the home game. Rams, you won your division? Congrats, you get a ticket to the playoffs. But you have to travel to play Minnesota because your record wasn't as good as theirs
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
Off season weekends can be slow, might as well look how the betting public views the current state of the 2025 season.
SB:
Philly +650
KC +700
Buffalo +700
BAL +700
DET +900
WAS +1600
SF +1900
CIN +1900
LAR +2200
GB +2200
LAC +2500
MIN +3000
TB +3500
HOU +3500
DEN +3500
CHI +3500
Division
DET +135
GB +275
MIN +400
CHI +425
Odds courtesy of draftkings.
SB:
Philly +650
KC +700
Buffalo +700
BAL +700
DET +900
WAS +1600
SF +1900
CIN +1900
LAR +2200
GB +2200
LAC +2500
MIN +3000
TB +3500
HOU +3500
DEN +3500
CHI +3500
Division
DET +135
GB +275
MIN +400
CHI +425
Odds courtesy of draftkings.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Don't be fooled by $40 million now when they've got nearly $290 in cap liabilities for fewer than 30 players in 2026. They're going to need some of that to roll over to lessen the burden and remain competitive, in addition to re-signing their own, which will always be Holmes' first priority.
Kerby Joseph, Aidan Hutchinson, et al, are better than the mystery box.
Kerby Joseph, Aidan Hutchinson, et al, are better than the mystery box.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Getting a feel for the Detroit Lions' depth chart ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft
The Detroit Lions have been busy during free agency, re-signing several of their own free agents and selectively adding outside options to the roster mix.
Last week, a reader asked for an updated look at the team’s depth chart. With little cooking between now and the draft — outside of league meetings next week — that request was worth fulfilling.
Quarterback
Starter: Jared Goff
Reserves: Hendon Hooker
Work to do: Kyle Allen, Jake Fromm
Thoughts: Coming off the best season of his career, and entering the first year of the extension he signed last offseason, Goff is as entrenched in his role as any player in the league. Detroit's backup spot, on the other hand, is up for grabs once again.
Hooker, a third-round draft pick in 2023, rose to the occasion to unseat veteran Nate Sudfeld last offseason. This year, Hooker will have to fend off Allen, who was recently added via free agency.
Undrafted out of the University of Houston in 20218, Allen has played for five teams in seven seasons, appearing in 31 games, including 19 starts. He last played meaningful regular-season snaps in 2022. He’s attempted just one pass over the past two seasons.
For his career, Allen has completed 62.7% of his passes with 25 touchdowns, 21 interceptions and a passer rating of 82.3. In the preseason with the Steelers last season, he was sharp, connecting on 20-of-28 for 261 yards, one touchdown and one pick.
Allen's one-year contract with the Lions is a non-guaranteed, veteran minimum deal that included a $100,000 signing bonus.
Fromm, who joined the Lions near the end of training camp last year and completed 6-of-8 passes in the second half of the preseason finale, will start the offseason at the bottom of the depth chart and could struggle to find opportunities to state his case.
A fifth-round pick in 2020, he got into three games during his second season. He struggled in those appearances, which included a pair of starts, completing 45% of his throws with a dreadful passer rating of 38.9.
Running back
Starters: Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery
Reserves: Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki
Work to do: None
Thoughts: The Lions will eventually add a couple of players, likely undrafted free agents, to round out the backfield depth chart before the start of the offseason program.
The team is returning the top four players from last year’s group. Gibbs and Montgomery will rightfully continue dominating the workload, with Reynolds serving as the top backup.
Even with Montgomery missing the last few games of last season with a knee injury, the starting tandem posted one of the best seasons for a duo in NFL history, combining for 3,045 yards from scrimmage, 5.0 yards per carry and 32 touchdowns.
Vaki’s development will be something to watch this offseason. The converted safety showed flashes of his playmaking potential during his inaugural preseason but had a very limited role once the games counted. He saw just 26 snaps and nine touches in 16 games, primarily contributing through special teams.
Wide receiver
Starters: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick
Reserves: Kalif Raymond
Work to do: Ronnie Bell, Antoine Green, Tom Kennedy
Thoughts: The Lions carried just four receivers on the team’s initial 53-man roster to open last season, including undrafted rookie Isaiah Williams. A couple of weeks later, Patrick was promoted off the practice squad to round out the group.
Like the backfield, Detroit is returning its top four receivers after re-upping with Patrick this offseason. There’s room for a fifth, potentially even a sixth, depending on what the team does in the draft.
The obvious need is a long-term replacement for Patrick, who turns 32 in November. Given the sharply rising cost of pass-catching talent in free agency, and a potential extension for Williams on the horizon, the Lions would strongly benefit from landing a cost-controlled, big-bodied outside receiver in the middle rounds of the draft.
Tight end
Starters: Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright
Reserves: TBD
Work to do: Kenny Yeboah, Shane Zylstra
Thoughts: Not factoring formations with six offensive linemen, LaPorta and Wright combined to play nearly 90% of the team's snaps at tight end last season and accounted for 96.4% of the position's receiving production. Unless there's an injury or an unexpected alternative emerges to eat into Wright's workload, there's currently no reason to anticipate a shift in 2025.
Regardless, the Lions will almost certainly carry a third option into next season and signed two early contenders for that job in free agency, bringing back Zylstra and adding Yeboah. Both are more receiving threats than blockers. What they bring to the table on special teams could decide the spot.
Offensive line
Starters: Taylor Decker, Penei Sewell, Graham Glasgow, Christian Mahogany, Frank Ragnow
Reserves: Dan Skipper, Giovanni Manu, Netane Muti, Colby Sorsdal
Work to do: Jemarco Jones, Kingsley Eguakun
Thoughts: After letting Kevin Zeitler walk in free agency, that vacancy in the starting lineup is Mahogany’s to fill. Quickly working his way to the top reserve spot on the depth chart as a rookie last season, he impressed in a pair of opportunities, including the playoff game against Washington.
The remaining depth is fluid. The returning Skipper will have pole position for the swing tackle job. Still, it will be interesting to see how Manu developed behind the scenes as a rookie.
Along the interior, there’s room for a draft pick to make some noise. Muti was pushing for a roster spot last offseason before he was lost to a torn pectoral muscle during a training camp practice. With Mahogany getting the bump, Muti has the talent, demeanor and experience to be a top backup and potentially even push Glasgow for a starting job.
The Detroit Lions have been busy during free agency, re-signing several of their own free agents and selectively adding outside options to the roster mix.
Last week, a reader asked for an updated look at the team’s depth chart. With little cooking between now and the draft — outside of league meetings next week — that request was worth fulfilling.
Quarterback
Starter: Jared Goff
Reserves: Hendon Hooker
Work to do: Kyle Allen, Jake Fromm
Thoughts: Coming off the best season of his career, and entering the first year of the extension he signed last offseason, Goff is as entrenched in his role as any player in the league. Detroit's backup spot, on the other hand, is up for grabs once again.
Hooker, a third-round draft pick in 2023, rose to the occasion to unseat veteran Nate Sudfeld last offseason. This year, Hooker will have to fend off Allen, who was recently added via free agency.
Undrafted out of the University of Houston in 20218, Allen has played for five teams in seven seasons, appearing in 31 games, including 19 starts. He last played meaningful regular-season snaps in 2022. He’s attempted just one pass over the past two seasons.
For his career, Allen has completed 62.7% of his passes with 25 touchdowns, 21 interceptions and a passer rating of 82.3. In the preseason with the Steelers last season, he was sharp, connecting on 20-of-28 for 261 yards, one touchdown and one pick.
Allen's one-year contract with the Lions is a non-guaranteed, veteran minimum deal that included a $100,000 signing bonus.
Fromm, who joined the Lions near the end of training camp last year and completed 6-of-8 passes in the second half of the preseason finale, will start the offseason at the bottom of the depth chart and could struggle to find opportunities to state his case.
A fifth-round pick in 2020, he got into three games during his second season. He struggled in those appearances, which included a pair of starts, completing 45% of his throws with a dreadful passer rating of 38.9.
Running back
Starters: Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery
Reserves: Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki
Work to do: None
Thoughts: The Lions will eventually add a couple of players, likely undrafted free agents, to round out the backfield depth chart before the start of the offseason program.
The team is returning the top four players from last year’s group. Gibbs and Montgomery will rightfully continue dominating the workload, with Reynolds serving as the top backup.
Even with Montgomery missing the last few games of last season with a knee injury, the starting tandem posted one of the best seasons for a duo in NFL history, combining for 3,045 yards from scrimmage, 5.0 yards per carry and 32 touchdowns.
Vaki’s development will be something to watch this offseason. The converted safety showed flashes of his playmaking potential during his inaugural preseason but had a very limited role once the games counted. He saw just 26 snaps and nine touches in 16 games, primarily contributing through special teams.
Wide receiver
Starters: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick
Reserves: Kalif Raymond
Work to do: Ronnie Bell, Antoine Green, Tom Kennedy
Thoughts: The Lions carried just four receivers on the team’s initial 53-man roster to open last season, including undrafted rookie Isaiah Williams. A couple of weeks later, Patrick was promoted off the practice squad to round out the group.
Like the backfield, Detroit is returning its top four receivers after re-upping with Patrick this offseason. There’s room for a fifth, potentially even a sixth, depending on what the team does in the draft.
The obvious need is a long-term replacement for Patrick, who turns 32 in November. Given the sharply rising cost of pass-catching talent in free agency, and a potential extension for Williams on the horizon, the Lions would strongly benefit from landing a cost-controlled, big-bodied outside receiver in the middle rounds of the draft.
Tight end
Starters: Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright
Reserves: TBD
Work to do: Kenny Yeboah, Shane Zylstra
Thoughts: Not factoring formations with six offensive linemen, LaPorta and Wright combined to play nearly 90% of the team's snaps at tight end last season and accounted for 96.4% of the position's receiving production. Unless there's an injury or an unexpected alternative emerges to eat into Wright's workload, there's currently no reason to anticipate a shift in 2025.
Regardless, the Lions will almost certainly carry a third option into next season and signed two early contenders for that job in free agency, bringing back Zylstra and adding Yeboah. Both are more receiving threats than blockers. What they bring to the table on special teams could decide the spot.
Offensive line
Starters: Taylor Decker, Penei Sewell, Graham Glasgow, Christian Mahogany, Frank Ragnow
Reserves: Dan Skipper, Giovanni Manu, Netane Muti, Colby Sorsdal
Work to do: Jemarco Jones, Kingsley Eguakun
Thoughts: After letting Kevin Zeitler walk in free agency, that vacancy in the starting lineup is Mahogany’s to fill. Quickly working his way to the top reserve spot on the depth chart as a rookie last season, he impressed in a pair of opportunities, including the playoff game against Washington.
The remaining depth is fluid. The returning Skipper will have pole position for the swing tackle job. Still, it will be interesting to see how Manu developed behind the scenes as a rookie.
Along the interior, there’s room for a draft pick to make some noise. Muti was pushing for a roster spot last offseason before he was lost to a torn pectoral muscle during a training camp practice. With Mahogany getting the bump, Muti has the talent, demeanor and experience to be a top backup and potentially even push Glasgow for a starting job.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Defensive line
Starters: Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, Levi Onwuzurike, DJ Reader
Reserves: Roy Lopez, Josh Paschal, Mekhi Wingo, Brodric Martin, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Pat O’Connor
Injured: Alim McNeill
Work to do: Myles Adams, Mitchell Agude, Nate Lynn, Isaac Ukwu, Chris Smith
Thoughts: By re-signing Onwuzurike, Detroit's defensive line looks a lot like the group coming into last season. The unit is supplemented by a couple of experienced veterans, O'Connor and Muhammad, who stepped in and played meaningful roles after injuries ravaged the unit.
There are lingering questions about the edge opposite Hutchinson. Instead of exercising the admittedly pricey option on trade deadline acquisition Za'Darius Smith, the Lions have opted to run it back with Davenport, who has missed most of the past two seasons with injuries. The setup carries plenty of risk, but he's unquestionably cost-efficient as Detroit braces for a bank-breaking extension for Hutchinson.
The offseason strategy makes edge one of the prime positions for the Lions to address early in the draft. Davenport, Paschal and Muhammad are all on deals that expire at the end of the 2025 season. A long-term, cost-controlled solution would be a valuable addition.
Of course, the same could be said for defensive tackle. Onwuzurike, Reader and the newcomer Lopez will play next season on expiring contracts.
Linebacker
Starters: Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes
Reserves: Grant Stuard, Trevor Nowaske, Ezekiel Turner, Anthony Pittman
Injured: Malcolm Rodriguez
Work to do: Abraham Beauplan, DaRon Gilbert
Thoughts: Detroit was able to retain Barnes with a three-year deal, keeping its starting group together for a third consecutive season. The question is whether this will be Anzalone's last season in a Detroit uniform. The defensive captain turns 31 later this year and is on an expiring contract.
In terms of depth, the Lions tweaked the group slightly. Jalen Reeves-Maybin was let go and Ben Niemann hasn’t been re-signed. Instead, the team added Stuard and brought Turner and Pittman back to round out the corps with high-end special teams contributors.
The Lions opened last season with seven linebackers. It’s tracking that way again, even with Rodriguez still recovering from the ACL he tore in December.
Cornerback
Starters: Terrion Arnold, D.J. Reed, Amik Robertson
Reserves: Ennis Rakestraw, Khalil Dorsey, Rock-Ya Sin, Avonte Maddox
Work to do: Stantley Thomas-Oliver
Thoughts: For the second consecutive offseason, the cornerback room has changed more than any other position group. Carlton Davis III, a key acquisition a year ago, accepted a big offer from New England and was quickly replaced by an equally capable starter in Reed.
With their reserves, the Lions haven’t re-signed Emmanuel Moseley after two injury-plagued seasons, while Kindle Vildor joined Tampa Bay. Maddox and Ya-Sin were brought on board to replace those departures.
Ya-Sin, a former second-round pick, is a physical outside corner with 39 starts under his belt.
Maddox, the Detroit native who spent seven years in Philadelphia, is an athletic and agile nickelback who played outside and some free safety earlier in his career.
Safety
Starters: Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph
Reserves: Morice Norris, Loren Strickland
Work to do: Erick Hallett
Thoughts: Arguably owing the best safety tandem in the league, Detroit hasn't felt compelled to add at the position this offseason, even after losing top reserve Ifeatu Melifonwu to the Dolphins.
As it stands, Norris and Strickland, two undrafted free agents from a year ago, are the projected backups. That seems untenable unless the Lions intend to move Maddox to safety. We might get some clarity on the topic when coach Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes meet with the media at the league meetings.
It wouldn't be unexpected for the Lions to turn to the draft to bolster the group. Not only could the team use a versatile backup, but there are lingering concerns about whether they'll be able to afford top-of-the-market extensions for both of their starters, with Joseph's contract expiring after this season and Branch up in 2027.
Starters: Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, Levi Onwuzurike, DJ Reader
Reserves: Roy Lopez, Josh Paschal, Mekhi Wingo, Brodric Martin, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Pat O’Connor
Injured: Alim McNeill
Work to do: Myles Adams, Mitchell Agude, Nate Lynn, Isaac Ukwu, Chris Smith
Thoughts: By re-signing Onwuzurike, Detroit's defensive line looks a lot like the group coming into last season. The unit is supplemented by a couple of experienced veterans, O'Connor and Muhammad, who stepped in and played meaningful roles after injuries ravaged the unit.
There are lingering questions about the edge opposite Hutchinson. Instead of exercising the admittedly pricey option on trade deadline acquisition Za'Darius Smith, the Lions have opted to run it back with Davenport, who has missed most of the past two seasons with injuries. The setup carries plenty of risk, but he's unquestionably cost-efficient as Detroit braces for a bank-breaking extension for Hutchinson.
The offseason strategy makes edge one of the prime positions for the Lions to address early in the draft. Davenport, Paschal and Muhammad are all on deals that expire at the end of the 2025 season. A long-term, cost-controlled solution would be a valuable addition.
Of course, the same could be said for defensive tackle. Onwuzurike, Reader and the newcomer Lopez will play next season on expiring contracts.
Linebacker
Starters: Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes
Reserves: Grant Stuard, Trevor Nowaske, Ezekiel Turner, Anthony Pittman
Injured: Malcolm Rodriguez
Work to do: Abraham Beauplan, DaRon Gilbert
Thoughts: Detroit was able to retain Barnes with a three-year deal, keeping its starting group together for a third consecutive season. The question is whether this will be Anzalone's last season in a Detroit uniform. The defensive captain turns 31 later this year and is on an expiring contract.
In terms of depth, the Lions tweaked the group slightly. Jalen Reeves-Maybin was let go and Ben Niemann hasn’t been re-signed. Instead, the team added Stuard and brought Turner and Pittman back to round out the corps with high-end special teams contributors.
The Lions opened last season with seven linebackers. It’s tracking that way again, even with Rodriguez still recovering from the ACL he tore in December.
Cornerback
Starters: Terrion Arnold, D.J. Reed, Amik Robertson
Reserves: Ennis Rakestraw, Khalil Dorsey, Rock-Ya Sin, Avonte Maddox
Work to do: Stantley Thomas-Oliver
Thoughts: For the second consecutive offseason, the cornerback room has changed more than any other position group. Carlton Davis III, a key acquisition a year ago, accepted a big offer from New England and was quickly replaced by an equally capable starter in Reed.
With their reserves, the Lions haven’t re-signed Emmanuel Moseley after two injury-plagued seasons, while Kindle Vildor joined Tampa Bay. Maddox and Ya-Sin were brought on board to replace those departures.
Ya-Sin, a former second-round pick, is a physical outside corner with 39 starts under his belt.
Maddox, the Detroit native who spent seven years in Philadelphia, is an athletic and agile nickelback who played outside and some free safety earlier in his career.
Safety
Starters: Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph
Reserves: Morice Norris, Loren Strickland
Work to do: Erick Hallett
Thoughts: Arguably owing the best safety tandem in the league, Detroit hasn't felt compelled to add at the position this offseason, even after losing top reserve Ifeatu Melifonwu to the Dolphins.
As it stands, Norris and Strickland, two undrafted free agents from a year ago, are the projected backups. That seems untenable unless the Lions intend to move Maddox to safety. We might get some clarity on the topic when coach Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes meet with the media at the league meetings.
It wouldn't be unexpected for the Lions to turn to the draft to bolster the group. Not only could the team use a versatile backup, but there are lingering concerns about whether they'll be able to afford top-of-the-market extensions for both of their starters, with Joseph's contract expiring after this season and Branch up in 2027.
I hope the third year is a charm for Moseley. He has so much ability but can't stay in the field. Dan seems to really like Moseley's work ethic and attitude. On the flip side, I have a suspecion that Dan was not impressed by Iffy's work ethic and willingness to work his way back from injury.
I am certain we will continue to address our biggest holes at DE and CB, but if Moseley and Davenport can stay healthy that would be a huge plus to shoring up those positions.
I am certain we will continue to address our biggest holes at DE and CB, but if Moseley and Davenport can stay healthy that would be a huge plus to shoring up those positions.
King of the Jungle
Footballguy
I think our CB has a chance to be the strongest unit on our defense (safety up there as well), not sure we even need to add a body at this point there.
Did they re-sign sign Moseley? If they did I missed it.
I'd like to see them add another safety at some point in the draft.
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
Yes, top 2 are great but there's a fall off in terms of depth.
You are correct. I thought they did already, but he is still an unsigned free agent
I don't expect him to be back. They might have gotten tired of him not being available. I think he may have been a healthy scratch lately in the seaton, though I might be wrong.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Evaluating fits of a dozen different prospects being projected to Lions in recent mock drafts
While NFL free agency is still ongoing, news on that front has slowed to a trickle.
Some bigger fish remain on the market — Amari Cooper, Aaron Rodgers, Von Miller, to name a few — but the Detroit Lions' recent focus has been on depth additions. And while there's always the possibility they could score another impact addition, it's more likely the next notable improvement to the roster will come via the NFL draft.
We've largely stayed away from the mock drafts to this point. Now feels like a reasonable time to check in on where analysts think the talent pool is settling around Detroit's No. 28 pick in the first round.
We scoured the recent batch of projections, and given the significant number of variables that deep into the draft, found a dozen different players slotted to the Lions. Having reviewed the film of most prospects in the consensus top 100 earlier this offseason, plus having testing data for many of them from the combine or their pro days, I've evaluated the fits of those dozen players.
For those who have followed me for a while, you know I've never offered instant grades after the draft. But grading mock drafts? Sure, why not?
The dozen prospects will be listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
Thoughts: The Lions clearly have a long-term need for a guard. Graham Glasgow turns 33 in July, is coming off a down year, and has an $8.4 million cap hit in 2026. That’s an untenable figure if he doesn’t turn things around.Booker would solve Detroit’s problem. The 6-foot-5, 325-pounder is a plug-and-play option, with the bulk of his playing time as a two-year starter coming at left guard. That would allow the Lions to keep Christian Mahogany on the right side, where he thrived while at Boston College.
Booker’s tape showed a powerful player who was a fundamentally sound brick wall in pass protection (five pressures, zero sacks allowed in 2024), capable of generating movement as a run blocker, but relatively limited athletically, which hinders his effectiveness on pulling blocks and in the screen game.
He has the potential to be dominant at what he does best. Still, he could create some schematic limitations within Detroit’s versatile blocking scheme.
The other component to consider is how likely the Lions are to take a guard with their first pick. For the positional value crowd, pick No. 28 isn’t a bad spot to address the position. That said, in four years, general manager Brad Holmes hasn’t used anything earlier than a Day 3 pick on an interior lineman. Even going back to his seven years as the college scouting director of the Rams, the earliest a team addressed the position was the third round, taking Louisville offensive tackle Jamon Brown in 2015 and shifting him inside.
Maybe that’s simply the way the board has always fallen for Holmes. On the other hand, it could also be a reflection of his perception of being able to find a quality starter in the later rounds, like he seemingly did with Mahogany a year earlier.
Grade: B
Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Thoughts: Detroit is flush with run-stuffing nose tackles, both in the form of proven producers and unproven potential. But the long-term outlook for the position is cloudy, at best.For 2025, DJ Reader and Roy Lopez figure to be a formidable run-stuffing tandem. Reader has done it at a high level for a long time and should be better than he was last season, another year removed from tearing his quad. And Lopez, the new addition, has shown to be a gap controller on the inside, more than capable of holding his own against double teams. Still, it's critical to note that the contracts of both veterans expire after this season.
The mystery, of course, is Brodric Martin. The Lions gave up a trio of Day 3 picks to snag the behemoth out of Western Kentucky at the tail end of the third round in 2023. Immediately deemed a project, his development through two seasons has still managed to be underwhelming, meriting alternative considerations.
Grant is more of a sure thing. The 6-foot-3, 330-pounder is an impressive athlete, given his size. Like Reader, Grant is at his best against the run but can capably add something as a pocket disruptor because of his first-step explosion.
Even if this path forces the Lions to prematurely pull the plug on Martin, I’d have little trouble contesting the long-term value of the selection.
Grade: B+
Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
Thoughts: Up until the day of the draft, expect edge rushers to dominate the conversation surrounding Detroit’s first-round plans. The team is running it back with Marcus Davenport, Josh Paschal and Al-Quadin Muhammad as Aidan Hutchinson’s complementary cast. But remember, none of those players are under contract beyond this season. The superstar still needs a long-term running mate.Strictly based on the film, Green was one of my favorite prospects in this draft class. He has the frame, athleticism, production, and upside to be a top-15 selection. But there are off-field concerns that are going to cause some teams to shy away.
Green has faced two accusations of sexual assault, one in high school and another, filed anonymously, that led to his suspension at the University of Virginia. To his credit, the player didn’t shy away from questions about those issues at the combine, taking them head-on, denying any wrongdoing, and emphasizing he wasn’t interviewed by the police in either instance.
Potential NFL employers will no doubt dig deep into the accusations and likely come away with more information than is publicly available. Ultimately, someone is going to feel good enough to roll the dice on the talent. Given the emphasis on character during the Holmes/Campbell/Hamp era of leadership, it’s difficult to see the Lions being that team.
Grade: D
Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
Thoughts: A Detroit native who spent his first three college seasons at Michigan State, Harmon's stock took off during his one year with the Ducks. In 2024, he racked up 55 pressures and 8.5 sacks in 14 games.In my film review of the defensive tackle prospects, I loosely compared Harmon to a bigger, longer Levi Onwuzurike. That’s far from perfect, but it's intended to help Lions fans understand the skill set. Both have explosive first steps to disrupt the pocket, but are inconsistent finishers. Another similarity is that both can play inside (3-technique) or on the edge.
With his length, Harmon's upside is tremendous. If the Lions were fortunate enough to have a shot, he could help bridge Alim McNeill's ACL recovery, which figures to extend into the regular season, and serve as a long-term replacement for Onwuzurike. He re-upped with the team as a free agent this offseason, but it’s only a one-year deal.
Grade: A
Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
Thoughts: Brooks is thinking like Crabbs, conveniently plugging one of Detroit's more obvious long-term concerns in this mock. With Booker off the board in the projection, Brooks shifts to Jackson as the Lions' choice.Like Booker, Jackson's primary experience has come at left guard. That adds to the convenience and fit of the selection. While he hasn't tested during the pre-draft process, he's a more athletic mover in space than his Alabama counterpart on film. Jackson also has an adequately nasty demeanor that comes with consistently churning legs and a finisher's mentality in the run game.
Playing guard all of 2023 and the first five games of 2024, Jackson was solid in pass protection, surrendering a single sack. He was a little shakier when pressed into moving to left tackle to address an injury situation. Still, the fact that he was even asked to take on that challenge and capably performed for the National Champions says plenty about his ability.
Grade: B+
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
James Pearce, Edge, Tennessee
Thoughts: Before the season, there were plenty of draft analysts who projected Pearce as a potential top-10 selection. He's still viewed by most as a first-rounder, but one more likely to come off the board somewhere in the 20s.Pearce is a tall, lean, athletic edge with a double-digit sack season on his resume and back-to-back seasons with 50 or more quarterback pressures. That kind of production is tantalizing to pair with Hutchinson, although I'm not sure Pearce's frame is a great schematic fit.
What works is his ability to convert speed to power. He has excellent first-step quickness and a knack for timing the snap. He also has more pop in his hands than you might expect, given his weight and length (32 3/4-inch arms).
And while he might never be an elite run-stopper, he held his own at Tennessee, effectively keeping blockers off his frame to address the ball carrier on the edge. If the Lions feel he can eventually bulk up to closer than 260 pounds, adding strength without losing his burst, I'm more inclined to buy on the fit.
Grade: C+
Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona
Thoughts: There’s a fun opportunity for the Lions to create a mauling tandem of American Samoans on the right side of their line by pairing Savaiinaea with Penei Sewell.Like Sewell, Savaiinaea is an exceptional athlete for his size (6-foot-4, 324 pounds). He has shown well in his athletic testing in recent weeks, posting well-above-average speed, explosion, and agility metrics.
Savaiinaea is also versatile, having started games at left and right tackle, as well as right guard for the Wildcats.
After watching his tape last month, Savaiinaea’s technique felt raw, particularly his footwork playing tackle. Regardless, pass rushers had trouble with the power of his punch and navigating around his massive frame. If there was a weakness in protection, it was sustaining his blocks through counter-rushes. That should be less of an issue playing inside.
Savaiinaea will likely be a mauler in the run game. I did question his ability to operate on the move, based on his film. His athletic testing runs counter to that criticism. It could be a matter of getting more reps to develop those skills.
Savaiinaea is probably best suited for the right side. His selection could require the eventual move of Mahogany to the left. Maybe that works out fine, but there is a level of projection needed that can’t be answered via last year’s one-game sample size.
Grade: B-
Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M
Thoughts: With teammate Shemar Stewart seemingly off the table without trading up after his electric combine performance, Scourton wouldn't be a bad consolation prize.Following a double-digit sack season at Purdue, Scourton transferred to Texas A&M, looking to play in a more complex defensive scheme and improve his run-stopping abilities.
That attitude, paired with a sharp drop in weight during the pre-draft process, points to grit and work ethic. In terms of Scourton's frame, he has a body type similar to Paschal's.
For the Lions, Scourton would fit the physical style the team likes to play at the defensive end position. He'll set firm edges against the run, crush the pocket rushing as a pass rusher, and give guards problems with his quickness when working from inside alignments on obvious passing downs.
Scourton feels like a prospect with a higher floor but a lower ceiling than some of the other edges being mentioned at 28, particularly in terms of sack production. Regardless, his playing style, effort and attitude feel Lions-like.
Grade: A-
Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Thoughts: Kudos to Tannenbaum for thinking outside the box and throwing the type of curveball we've come to expect from Holmes in recent years.Do the Lions need a starting-caliber safety? Well, no. They might have the best tandem in the league with Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch. But there's a pending contract conundrum with both meriting top-of-the-market extensions in the next two years. The Lions will make every effort to keep both, but there's no guarantee they can make the cap math work.
Starks is cut from the Branch mold, moving all over the field and impacting the game in a variety of ways. The Georgia standout is comfortable in man coverage and in deeper zones, plus he's one of the best tackling defensive backs in this class.
How would Starks work into the mix immediately? Great question. We know the Lions find ways to get their best players on the field, so maybe Starks emerges as a second move piece in the defensive backfield with Branch, rotating between box, slot, and deep alignments.
An ideal fit for 2025? Obviously not. But a situation where the talent might be too good to pass up? Sure, that's believable.
Grade: C-
Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Thoughts: The idea of drafting Campbell is similar to Starks in some ways and not in another key facet. Assuming good health with the projected defensive starters, Campbell would probably struggle to see the field as a rookie. He’s not likely going to step in and take snaps from Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell or Derrick Barnes.But what about the bigger picture? Anzalone is on the wrong side of 30 and entering the final year of his current contract. Could the versatile linebacker be a forward-thinking solution for the Lions, whether as a direct replacement for Anzalone or taking over the SAM job to allow Barnes to move off the ball?
You can see the appeal, even if you might not get a lot out of Campbell as a rookie beyond special teams.
Grade: B
Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
Thoughts: The first thing that came to mind watching Williams' tape before heading to the combine was the violence of his playing style. It was easy to see how that would fit in Detroit.It's also easy to imagine Williams coming off the board before Detroit is on the clock. The reason he's even considered in play is because of his relative inexperience and mediocre pro day measurables.
Williams averaged fewer than 400 defensive snaps the past three seasons and won't turn 21 until late June. So you're betting on his upside. There's plenty there, even if he hasn't recorded more than 5.0 sacks or 33 pressures in a season.
There are some similarities to another Georgia edge defender to come out in recent years, Travon Walker, who was the No. 1 overall pick in 2022.
Grade: B+
Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
Thoughts: Hey, another guard. Well, in this case, a smaller-school tackle who is expected to move to guard due to shorter-than-desired length.Zabel’s tape was fun. He’s nasty in the run game and was a fluid blindside pass protector who had great timing with his hands. He primarily worked at guard at the Senior Bowl and flashed plenty of promise, but also showed the need to get stronger to handle pro-caliber bull rushers on the inside.
With Glasgow in place for another season, it would provide time to add mass/strength and tighten up the techniques required to play a new position. The demeanor is ready to go out of the box.
Grade: B+
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
As much as I am on Team D this draft I wouldn't be complaining too much with a quality OL as a high pick. Everything runs through these guys. The running game, protecting the QB, keeping the defense off the field. Setting the tone.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
this is mildly interesting analysis speculating whose roster spot might be marginally more secure based on GTD
also, had forgotten about the Veteran Salary Benefit trick - they were able to give Skipper $390K that didn't count against his cap hit
By Jeremy Reisman@DetroitOnLion Mar 27, 2025, 8:30am EDT
The next batch of Detroit Lions contract details are in, and they offer a little more perspective on the team’s overall roster and the chances these players end up making an impact on the 2025 season. By looking at overall contract terms—and more specifically, guaranteed money—you can get a sense whether these players will make the 53-man roster, have a critical role, or would be fighting just to make the team during training camp.
So here’s a quick look at some of the latest numbers and what it means for that players’ 2025 season.
Note: All contract details are via OverTheCap.
There is essentially no guaranteed money in Reynolds’ deal, although he’ll pocket $75,000 as long as he appears during the Lions’ offseason program. But with Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, and Sione Vaki all locks to make the roster, Reynolds’ spot on the roster is far from guaranteed, despite the fact that he has been the team’s RB3 for the past few years.
The Lions are able to keep Skipper’s cap number low due to the NFL’s Veteran Salary Benefit, which notes that if you sign a player to a minimum salary with at least $167,500 available in incentives (the Lions matched that number exactly), the salary of that deal will only hit the cap based on the minimum salary of a second-year player ($1.03 million).
It’s a small enough contract that Detroit could move on from Muhammad if he doesn’t play well enough to make the roster, but the bump in guarantees suggests the Lions like him.
and it exactly mirrors Muhammad’s contract. With $300,000 in total guarantees, O’Connor may be considered a favorite to make the roster at this point, but he’s not quite as safe as Muhammad appears to be. The Lions like O’Connor, and he’s got a nice little guarantee here, but it’s not enough to call his roster spot a lock.
also, had forgotten about the Veteran Salary Benefit trick - they were able to give Skipper $390K that didn't count against his cap hit
What new contract details say about 6 Lions free agent signings
New contract details are out, and it gives a look into how much the Detroit Lions value some of their free agent signings.By Jeremy Reisman@DetroitOnLion Mar 27, 2025, 8:30am EDT
The next batch of Detroit Lions contract details are in, and they offer a little more perspective on the team’s overall roster and the chances these players end up making an impact on the 2025 season. By looking at overall contract terms—and more specifically, guaranteed money—you can get a sense whether these players will make the 53-man roster, have a critical role, or would be fighting just to make the team during training camp.
So here’s a quick look at some of the latest numbers and what it means for that players’ 2025 season.
Note: All contract details are via OverTheCap.
RB Craig Reynolds — one-year, $1.17 million
- Base salary: $1.17 million
- Roster bonus: $75,000
- Workout bonus: $75,000
- Cap hit: $1.18 million
There is essentially no guaranteed money in Reynolds’ deal, although he’ll pocket $75,000 as long as he appears during the Lions’ offseason program. But with Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, and Sione Vaki all locks to make the roster, Reynolds’ spot on the roster is far from guaranteed, despite the fact that he has been the team’s RB3 for the past few years.
OT Dan Skipper — one-year, $1.42 million
- Base salary: $1.255 million
- Signing bonus: $75,000
- Roster bonus: $67,500
- Workout bonus: $25,000
- Cap hit: $1.2 million
The Lions are able to keep Skipper’s cap number low due to the NFL’s Veteran Salary Benefit, which notes that if you sign a player to a minimum salary with at least $167,500 available in incentives (the Lions matched that number exactly), the salary of that deal will only hit the cap based on the minimum salary of a second-year player ($1.03 million).
EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad — one-year, $1.42 million
UPDATE: Numbers have changed since originally posted on Wednesday night- Base salary: $1.255 million (
$200,000$750,000 guaranteed) - Signing bonus: $167,500
- Roster bonus: $67,500
- Cap number: $1.2 million
It’s a small enough contract that Detroit could move on from Muhammad if he doesn’t play well enough to make the roster, but the bump in guarantees suggests the Lions like him.
DL Pat O’Connor — one-year, $1.42 million
- Base salary: $1.255 million ($200,000 guaranteed)
- Signing bonus: $100,000
- Roster bonus: $67,500
- Cap number: $1.13 million
CB Avonte Maddox — one-year, $1.42 million
- Base salary: $1.255 million ($1,030,000 guaranteed)
- Signing bonus: $167,500
- Cap hit: $1.2 million
CB Khalil Dorsey — two-year, $3.3 million
2025:- Base salary: $1.1 million
- Prorated signing bonus: $150,000
- Game roster bonus: $230,000 ($189,412 hits the cap)
- Workout bonus: $45,000
- Cap hit: $1,484,412
- Base salary: $1,340,000
- Prorated signing bonus: $150,000
- Game roster bonus: $230,000
- Workout bonus: $45,000
- Cap hit: $1.775 million
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
From $40 million under to $40 million over: How Lions' cap situation will flip next year and how they can manage it
JUSTIN ROGERS March 28 2025A few weeks back, before the Detroit Lions re-signed or added more than 20 players during the free agency period, we assessed the team’s salary cap situation for the next two seasons.
With a 9.3% year-to-year increase of the cap, plus an additional $27 million in carryover from the previous season, the Lions were working with approximately $50 million in space before coming to terms on any new agreements.
The hook with that tantalizing figure is Detroit has some big bills coming due in 2026, tied to the lucrative extensions signed by Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Alim McNeill and Taylor Decker last year.
Following this month’s spending spree, which included adding one of the top available cornerbacks at a market-rate deal, let’s take a look at the Lions’ recalibrated finances.
Even after the flurry of signings — headlined by the addition of cornerback D.J. Reed (three years, $48 million) and the retention of linebacker Derrick Barnes (three years, $24 million) — the Lions still have more than $40 million in cap space for the upcoming season. According to OverTheCap, only three teams are further from hitting their spending limits.
The calculation is slightly deceptive because of the way the NFL handles things during the offseason. Right now, only the top 51 salaries count against the cap calculation. Come September, all 53 roster spots, any player on injured reserve, plus the 16-man practice squad get factored into the equation.
Additionally, the team will have to squeeze in its draft class, including a first-round pick with a projected cap hit of more than $2.5 million, assuming the Lions hold steady at the No. 28 slot.
But none of that is cause for concern this year. It’s not until 2026 that the math starts getting tricky. Allow me to explain.
Let’s start by estimating the cap jumps another 10% next season. That’s more than the average increases during the past decade, but closer to what we’ve seen over the last four years. That would reset the ceiling at $307.2 million.
The Lions currently have 29 players under contract for 2026, which doesn’t include the team’s pending draft classes this year or next. The cap hits for those 29 players add up to $286.4 million.
On top of that, we should be factoring in the still-to-be-exercised fifth-year options for Aidan Hutchinson and Jameson Williams. That’s another $35.4 million, bringing the team’s salary obligations to $321.8 million. There’s also nearly $5 million in dead money tied to the expiring contracts of DJ Reader and Alex Anzalone.
Taking it one step further and filling out the remaining roster spots with veteran minimum deals ($1.075 million), the Lions would be more than $40 million over the $307.2 million cap we projected earlier.
For anyone skimming through, I want to repeat for emphasis: The Lions are projected to be more than $40 million over the cap next offseason.
Note: For your bookmarks, here’s my updated cap spreadsheet, with 2025 and 2026 tabs.
Now, before sounding any alarms, let’s acknowledge the devices the Lions have at their disposal to quickly become cap-compliant.
First and foremost, there should be plenty of carryover. The Lions brought $27.3 million over from last season, and whatever portion of the $40+ million they don’t spend this year will be added to next offseason’s ledger.
Second, there will likely be some veterans who are released, which will free up some space. I’m not going to offer up any predictions on that front, but I will list the players who, if released, would clear more than $2 million, sorted by amount.
- Center Frank Ragnow ($12.75 million)
- Offensive tackle Taylor Decker ($11.9 million)
- Guard Graham Glasgow ($5.6 million)
- Running back David Montgomery ($3.5 million)
- Punter Jack Fox ($3.1 million)
- Tight end Brock Wright ($2.7 million)
However, the most likely way the Lions will remedy their situation is through contract restructures. Most notably, quarterback Jared Goff is slated to carry a $69.6 million charge against the cap next season. The team can easily rework this by converting most of his $55 million base salary to a bonus and spreading it out over five years (by adding a void year in 2030). That move alone could open up $40 million in cap space.
Yes, that’s kicking the can down the road, but if the cap keeps going up in the ballpark of its recent rises, it shouldn’t be too difficult for the Lions to absorb.
Regardless, the realities the team faces in 2026 should better explain why the team isn’t spending more aggressively in 2025. The carryover is an important consideration. On top of that, there are multiple key players up for extensions beyond Hutchinson.
That list includes:
2025 - Kerby Joseph, Hutchinson, Williams
2026 - Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, Brian Branch and Sam LaPorta
Let’s close with some thoughts on the contracts the Lions have signed this offseason:
- I already went into detail on Reed’s contract structure, which includes four void years to better manage his cap hits. To summarize, it will likely either end up being a two-year marriage, with the Lions cutting him and eating a little more than a $9 million dead-money hit in 2027, or they will exercise an option bonus in 2027, have him under contract that season for $8.1 million, but carry a $17 million dead money cap hit in 2028 after his contract expires.
- Barnes’ three-year pact has a similar structure to Reed's. If he’s rostered through the full terms of the deal, the team will have a lingering cap hit of $7.4 million in 2028 after the contract’s expiration.
- The Lions signed Khalil Dorsey for two seasons, but with minimal guarantees. When healthy, he’s a stellar performer on special teams and decent depth at cornerback. But, if he can’t return to form after last year’s broken leg, there’s only $300,000 in dead money this year and $150,000 next, all attached to a modest signing bonus.
- Both Avonte Maddox and Rock Ya-Sin received one-year, veteran minimum deals. However, the latter has no guarantees, while Maddox’s is essentially fully guaranteed. It points to who the Lions feel more confident can help them next season. Regardless, the sunk cost isn’t enough to ensure a roster spot for Maddox.
- Similarly, at tight end, Kenny Yeboah received close to $500,000 in guarantees. Meanwhile, the returning Shane Zylstra has no guarantees. That helps establish early expectations for the depth chart heading into the offseason program.
- Returning defensive linemen Al-Quadian Muhammad and Pat O’Connor earned some guarantees after their contributions a year ago. Muhammad received a $167,500 signing bonus and $750,000 of his base salary guaranteed. O’Connor got $100,000 to sign and $200,000 of his salary guaranteed.
Again, it’s not enough to guarantee spots on the 53-man roster, but it points to the front office’s faith that they’ll earn a job. - Including a $25,000 workout bonus for his participation in the offseason program, offensive tackle Dan Skipper only has $100,000 in guarantees. That feels a little low compared to someone like O’Connor.
We don’t have enough information to attach much meaning to Skipper’s figures. It could speak to the faith in Giovanni Manu’s development, the confidence in veteran Jamarco Jones as an alternative, or even an appreciation of the depth of offensive tackle talent in this draft.
Regardless, Skipper remains the front-runner for the swing tackle job until proven otherwise. - Other players who signed this offseason with no guaranteed money on their contracts: Trevor Nowaske (exclusive rights free agent), Myles Adams, Netane Muti, Ezekiel Turner, Anthony Pittman and Mitchell Agude. Running back Craig Reynolds has only a $75,000 workout bonus.
rockaction
Footballguy
Window is now. Win it.
Buckle up.
Brad Holmes can (and in my opinion will) extend the window to at least 3 years with some future pain but not ridiculous like the Saints or teams that overspent and killed their cap. This core is too good and too young not to try to keep as many as possible and I think they will be able to keep almost all of them. His ability to draft and replace the older guys like Decker will be very important. We will see.
In Detroit we have had a lot of great beat writers. For 20 or more years we had Tom Kowalski, Mike O'Hara, and Curt Sylvester all at the same time, then really good ones like Dave Birkett and Kyle Meinke. But in my opinion Justin Rogers is the best we've ever had here.
msudaisy26
Footballguy
This is why I wanted one big splash or two small ones on the defensive line in free agency/trade. Thos draft is great for either line and the Lion's line is great for now.
Both Decker and Glasgow will be 33 before the season starts and Ragnow is young age wise, but injuries make it much mote likely he will retire earlier rather than later.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Love these kind of low key signings. It becomes a lot more important when someone turns and ankle & misses a g or two. He's likely never going to be a full time guy but has looked very capable in the 2-3 starts he gets each season.
2024 Linebacker Leaders in Percentage of Man Coverage Snaps Played (Min. 150 Coverage Snaps):
- DET Alex Anzalone - 48.5%
- 2. NWE Christian Ellis - 47.4%
- 3. DET Malcolm Rodriguez - 41.2%
- 4. DET Jack Campbell - 39.1%Per
https://x.com/FootballGuy_Al/status/1903805655695110577
related:
Raw separation prevented and on ball grade for 2024 LBs (Min. 150 Coverage Snaps)
always nice to see multiple Lions in the upper rh quadrant of a chart
Couldn't help but notice Jahlani Tavai.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Couldn't help but notice Jahlani Tavai.
In fairness to Quinntricia, who could have possibly known a big thumper who runs a 4.86 wouldn't be good in coverage?
(tbf to Jahlani, his coverage grade the year before Mayo arrived was an outstanding 82.7)
I had forgotten Tavai was cut at the end of Campbell's first training camp. Dude rehabilitated his career somewhat after looking completely overwhelmed here for two years.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
As Lions' roster talent holds steady, here's what division foes and other NFC contenders have done this offseason
https://substack.com/@detroitfootballnetworkJustin Rogers
If you're here, you likely have a good sense of what the Detroit Lions have accomplished so far this offseason.
To recap, the team has heavily invested in retaining its own free agents, re-signing key contributors such as Derrick Barnes, Levi Onwuzurike and Tim Patrick. They made one splash addition, bringing in cornerback D.J. Reed to replace the departing Carlton Davis III, then supplemented the depth chart with several more signings, including Roy Lopez, Grant Stuard, Avonte Maddox and Kenny Yeboah.
The Lions have lost some players in free agency, too, but none that were unexpected. Kevin Zeitler and Ifeatu Melifonwu joined Davis on the departures list. Zeitler leaving would sting more if the team didn't have Christian Mahogany waiting in the wings for a starting job. Additionally, the team declined the option on Za'Darius Smith's contract, opting instead to run it back with Marcus Davenport at a fraction of the cost.
All in all, the Lions are treading water with the roster following last year's 15-2 season, banking on better health as the needed improvement to counteract a challenging schedule as the franchise pursues its first Super Bowl.
Of course, the other teams in the division and contenders across the NFC are gunning for the same prize. In case you haven't been paying attention to what's been going on across the conference, let's explore the shifting landscape ahead of next month's draft.
We'll start with the three division foes before evaluating the other five contenders, which we've generously defined as teams with Super Bowl odds of 30-to-1 or better.
NFC North
Chicago Bears
Before making any roster moves, the Bears completed their biggest offseason decision, hiring Ben Johnson away from Detroit to serve as the franchise's next head coach. He's going to call plays for an offense that finished 28th in scoring last year, and he brought on experienced and respected coordinator Dennis Allen to elevate the team's defense.In terms of personnel, general manager Ryan Poles wasted little time re-shaping Chicago's trenches for the new coaching staff. Notable efforts were made to improve an offensive line that allowed a league-high 68 sacks last season. Poles picked up guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson in trades and signed Drew Dalman, widely believed to be the best center available in free agency.
The other changes on offense have been modest. Wide receiver Keenan Allen, 32, remains a free agent after catching 70 passes for 744 yards last season. The team added a couple of cheaper alternatives in Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay to round out a corps headlined by D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze, a first-round pick from a year ago.
Defensively, Chicago spent big to bolster its defensive front, inking defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo to three-year deals, both valued north of $40 million.
Assuming Johnson can work similar magic to when he took over a dreadful Detroit offense in 2022, turning the unit into a perennial top-five performer, Chicago should easily improve on its five wins from a year ago. The team holds the No. 10 pick in April's draft and could use the selection to continue building up its offensive line, or to snag a top running back like Boise State's Ashton Jeanty to further mimic how Johnson had success in Detroit.
Verdict: Improved
Green Bay Packers
After signing a pair of impact performers in safety Xavier McKinney (first-team All-Pro) and running back Josh Jacobs (Pro Bowler) in 2024, the Packers have been more conservative in free agency this offseason.The team’s biggest move was adding guard Aaron Banks with a massive four-year, $77 million contract. That will allow Elgton Jenkins to move to center, replacing Josh Myers, a below-average run blocker who gave up 29 pass-rush pressures last season.
Green Bay also added cornerback Nate Hobbs. He’s played mostly in the slot during his pro career, but he has the versatility to play outside. He could replace oft-injured Jaire Alexander, who is expected to be traded or cut in the coming weeks.
Offensively, the Packers signed speedy receiver Mecole Hardman, who hasn’t done much the past three seasons since posting a career-high 693 yards for the Chiefs in 2021.
In terms of losses, Green Bay said goodbye to Myers, running back A.J. Dillon, and defensive contributors T.J. Slaton, Eric Wilson and Eric Stokes.
The Packers hold the No. 23 pick in the draft.
Verdict: Holding steady
Minnesota Vikings
If you read the tea leaves before free agency, you had a good idea which way the Vikings were leaning at quarterback. Despite a breakout performance, the team let Sam Darnold walk in free agency, committing to last year’s first-round pick, J.J. McCarthy.Like Chicago, the Vikings have focused on their trenches this offseason. To improve McCarthy’s chances of succeeding, the team paid big money to lure guard Will Fries from Indianapolis, later adding former Colts teammate, center Ryan Kelly.
Minnesota also added some weapons for their young QB, trading for San Francisco running back Jordan Mason (5.3 yards per carry) and signing another speedy receiver in Rondale Moore after he missed last season with a knee injury.
The team still needs to address the depth chart behind McCarthy. In addition to Darnold going to Seattle, backups Daniel Jones and Nick Mullens also departed in free agency. Brett Rypien is the only other QB under contract.
Defensively, Minnesota supercharged the interior of its defensive line with a pair of accomplished veterans, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.
In the secondary, the team retained cornerback Byron Murphy (three years, $54 million) and longtime stalwart Harrison Smith at safety but lost Cameron Bynum. Starting cornerback Stephon Gilmore also remains a free agent. He’s likely being replaced by Isaiah Rodgers, who looked good in limited opportunities as a reserve for Philadelphia last season. The Vikings also added former Lions first-rounder Jeff Okudah to their depth chart.
With Brian Flores returning as defensive coordinator, the Vikings figure to remain formidable on that side of the ball. Offensively, it hinges on how quickly McCarthy can adapt after missing his rookie year with an injury. If anyone can get the former Michigan standout up to speed quickly, it’s reigning Coach of the Year, Kevin O’Connell.
The Vikings hold the No. 24 pick in the draft.
Verdict: Improved, contingent on McCarthy’s success
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Other NFC contenders
Los Angeles Rams
After flirting with the idea of moving on from quarterback Matthew Stafford, the sides came together on a reworked contract. But the Rams did pull the plug on Cooper Kupp, putting those cap savings toward adding Davante Adams. That’s one hell of a swap at receiver.Other additions include bringing back center Coleman Shelton after he spent last season with the Bears and bolstering the team’s young and talented defensive line with undersized and underrated defensive tackle Poona Ford.
Ford helps replace the losses of Bobby Brown III and Neville Gallimore. The defensive attrition didn’t stop there. Linebackers Christian Rozeboom and Michael Hoecht, who combined for more than 1,400 snaps last year, signed elsewhere as free agents.
Los Angeles could also stand to add some receiving depth with Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson moving on.
Picking No. 26 in the first round, the Rams could look to add a linebacker, cornerback, or, if the deck falls a certain way, potentially an heir to Stafford at quarterback.
Verdict: Small step back
Philadelphia Eagles
The defending champs have undergone quite a makeover in the months since their Super Bowl victory.Defensive end Brandon Graham retired, safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson was traded away, cornerbacks Darius Slay and James Bradberry were cut, and defensive tackle Milton Williams, edge rusher Josh Sweat, offensive lineman Mekhi Becton and cornerback Isaiah Rodgers were some of the team's top talent to find new homes in free agency.
It wasn't all bad. The Eagles were able to re-sign All-Pro linebacker Zach Baun, give running back Saquon Barkley a deserved raise, and flesh out the roster with cheaper alternatives to the players they lost.
Among the additions are a pair of undersized pass rushers, Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari, cornerback Adoree' Jackson, tight end Harrison Bryant and running back AJ Dillon. From that group, only Ojulari is making more than $2 million.
The bigger pickup was guard Kenyon Green, the key return from Houston in the Gardner-Johnson trade. Green has wildly underperformed since being drafted in the first round in 2022. That said, the Eagles proved once again with Becton that they are able to maximize blocking talent behind outstanding position coach Jeff Stoutland.
Verdict: Worse
San Francisco 49ers
No contender has undergone as drastic an overhaul this offseason as the 49ers. After injuries played a key role in the franchise falling well short of their Super Bowl aspirations last season, the team is in the process of aggressively retooling this offseason.The team traded wide receiver Deebo Samuel and running back Jordan Mason for Day 3 draft picks, released defensive linemen Leonard Floyd, Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins (who each scored contracts averaging double-digit millions), and saw starters Charvarius Ward, Aaron Banks, Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga sign elsewhere.
After paying quarterback Brock Purdy peanuts the past three seasons, this is clearly a franchise bracing for an extension that will likely average more than $50 million per season.
In terms of additions, the team’s biggest splashes have been wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, tight end Luke Farrell and backup quarterback Mac Jones. Yikes.
The good news? The 49ers hold the most picks in the upcoming draft (11), including four in the top 100 and the No. 11 selection overall. They also brought back Robert Saleh to coordinate the defense.
Verdict: Worse
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
While it's chaos in San Francisco, it's been a relatively non-descript offseason for the Buccaneers so far.The team was able to keep a few of their own key pieces, most notably wide receiver Chris Godwin, guard Ben Bredeson and linebacker LaVonte David.
The supplemental additions have been modest, which is obvious when you realize a punter was the team's second priciest outside signing. Topping the list is a potentially nice pull, edge rusher Haason Reddick, who had four consecutive seasons with double-digit sacks before a dud year following a holdout in 2024. It's a one-year, $13 million gamble.
In terms of departures, similarly, there’s not much of note. Disappointing former first-round Joe Tryon-Shoyinka heads to Cleveland, linebacker K.J. Britt is moving south to Miami, and center Robert Hainsey also stayed in state, taking three years, $21 million from the Jaguars. The latter had already been replaced in the starting lineup by last year's first-round pick, Graham Barton.
Verdict: Holding steady
Washington Commanders
The upstart Commanders aren’t resting on the laurels of their trip to last year’s NFC Championship.Understandably building around budding superstar quarterback Jayden Daniels, the team made two huge trades, acquiring wide receiver Deebo Samuel and five-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil.
In free agency, Washington continued work on the receiving room, re-signing Noah Brown and luring former Cowboys receiver Michael Gallup out of retirement after losing Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus.
Defensively, the team saw some key departures, releasing Jonathan Allen and losing defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. and safety Jeremy Chinn in free agency. To backfill that outgoing talent, the Commanders signed defensive tackles Eddie Goldman and Javon Kinlaw, defensive end Deatrich Wise, and former Lions defensive back Will Harris.
The team needed cornerback help and reportedly had interest in Reed before he committed to Detroit. That left the Commanders to settle for former Patriot Jonathan Jones.
Verdict: Improved
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Of course, those verdicts are being rendered off the first major phase of the offseason, free agency. Brad Holmes has a track far record better than every other rival in the division and substantially better than all except possibly Howie Roseman in the broader conference. The Eagles have been fantastic at roster construction for a long, long time, and I expect them to be as tough as ever.
