MAC_32
Footballguy
If he were to go on the block then the two #1's they'd be looking at are of the Raiders or Saints ilk. You're not getting him for two Lions #1's
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2025 Detroit Lions: 3-1 Lions roll over Browns (27 Viewers)
- Thread starter Da Guru
- Start date
msudaisy26
Footballguy
We will see. I think he is going to be traded.
One more thing about just keeping our own guys and not making big moves. There is a team that does that. They are the Cowboys, don't be the Cowboys.
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
If that's a road game for PHI, it won't be the opener. The SB champ is always the home team for the Thursday opener.
If the opponent is not the Lions, then it will probably be the Commanders or Cowboys.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
@RyanEFox2 (Ryan Ermani)
This Philadelphia Eagles defense proves the Lions should do whatever they have to do to go get Myles Garrett. Period.
He forgot the Eagles were going to take Alim McNeill in the third round back in 2021 but the Lions traded up to nab him. They settled for Milton Williams a couple picks later.
Just keep drafting ED, DI, IOL & LB. It would be foolish to give up the competitive advantage Holmes has in the draft. Fill holes with reasonable FAs and draft for talent.
This Philadelphia Eagles defense proves the Lions should do whatever they have to do to go get Myles Garrett. Period.
@DetroitOnLion Jeremy Reisman)
Eagles DL and how they acquired them:
- Nolan Smith, drafted in first round
- Jalen Carter, drafted in first round
- Jordan Davis, drafted in first round
- Brandon Graham, drafted in first round
- Josh Sweat, drafted in fourth round
So, yeah, F THEM PICKS!
He forgot the Eagles were going to take Alim McNeill in the third round back in 2021 but the Lions traded up to nab him. They settled for Milton Williams a couple picks later.
Just keep drafting ED, DI, IOL & LB. It would be foolish to give up the competitive advantage Holmes has in the draft. Fill holes with reasonable FAs and draft for talent.
King of the Jungle
Footballguy
100% agree. Trust the process that has turned the worst NFL franchise into a contender.
Da Guru
Fair & Balanced
Two #1 picks are nothing because Garret takes the place of one of them. So basically just trading one #1. So it might take a little more than that to land him.
Watching what Phillys d-line did to Mahomes last night without blitzing was amazing. All the teams that passed on Jalen Carter and let him fall to Philly are regretting it now. The guy is a beast in the middle.
msudaisy26
Footballguy
Wish the Lions took him at 6.
Da Guru
Fair & Balanced
Watching the game last night and the Washinton game the Lions would have had a very slim chance of beating Philly. Philly is playing at a high level with quality players at all positions.
After seeing what they did to Daniels, and then totally sacking, beating up and shutting down Mahomes have to think Goff would have been in for a long game. Midway through the third KC had more penalty yards than offensive yards. I did not think any team could do to Mahomes what Philly did yesterday.
One stat that was amazing was in the first Superbowl Green Bays o-line averaged 235lbs, Philly o-line averaged 338 lbs.
After seeing what they did to Daniels, and then totally sacking, beating up and shutting down Mahomes have to think Goff would have been in for a long game. Midway through the third KC had more penalty yards than offensive yards. I did not think any team could do to Mahomes what Philly did yesterday.
One stat that was amazing was in the first Superbowl Green Bays o-line averaged 235lbs, Philly o-line averaged 338 lbs.
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ignatiusjreilly
Footballguy
Yeah, mid-season Detroit (before all the injuries) was better than mid-season Philly. But they went on a heater the last two games and no one was going to stop them
That is great for when you are trying to BUILD a team. That isn't the goal anymore.
Go ahead and keep building. That won't equal a Super Bowl.
msudaisy26
Footballguy
The only thing I would add is the Rams took the Eagles down to the wire. They had the ball in the red zone with a chance to win and they did it with pressure. The Eagles line was dominate last night, but any really good line would have gave Mahomes fits last night and that team would have had a chance to win.
ignatiusjreilly
Footballguy
Pretty sure we know that it will be Deroit at Philly. They play Eagles/Commanders on the road and Giants/Cowboys at home.
There's a whole negotiation that goes on regarding the opener; Peter King used to write about this a lot in his column. They want a good game to kick off the season, but they also know the game will get a good audience regardless and want to save the really good matchups for later in the season. That's the reason you don't typically see divisional games in that spot. More often than not, they get a good intra-conference opponent (like Chiefs-Ravens this year), though it is true that the two years before that they went outside the conference (Rams-Bills and Chiefs-Lions).
So yeah a SB rematch is possible, as is Chargers or Broncos (not sure which is at home). But if I had to put money -- and God help me if I'm ever actually betting on something as trivial as this -- I'd say one of the other NFC divisional champs: Lions, Rams or Bucs (no idea which of those are home games for Eagles). Given that the Lions have become a big draw and we were cheated out of this matchup this year, I could see the NFL favoring that to kick off the season
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
Browns will take a 36 million cap hit if they trade him before June 1st, this could drag out a long time.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Why you wasting time posting here when your keen eye is needed in the GM ranks?
I’m putting my trust in the 2x defending champ NFL Executive of Year. He knows what they need and how to go about it far better than I.
ignatiusjreilly
Footballguy
Yeah, it's ultimately kind of pointless for us to opine on the merits of a Garrett trade. It depends on a bunch of factors that we couldn't possibly know about. I trust Brad to do the right thing
msudaisy26
Footballguy
Can they post date it like when they release someone?
msudaisy26
Footballguy
Then why are any of us here? It is fun to talk about what we would do or how they should do it, it is also fun to see other people's side.
MAC_32
Footballguy
If I come back to eat my words, then so be it, but it'll take a lot more than that to get him. This isn't just another quality edge, this is the best defender in the game, and that's before considering finances. Myles costs the Browns $20m if he's on the roster this year. He costs the Browns $36m if he's traded.
Maybe the conversation is different if a new management team were brought in, but that's not reality. Moving Garrett necessitates a rebuild and whether one thinks they should or they shouldn't all indications point towards that not happening. Two picks ~30 and a little sprinkle isn't gonna do it.
MAC_32
Footballguy
swabs
Footballguy
Still can't believe nobody made an offer on Lamar. I REALLY wanted Detroit to make the offer....
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
A comprehensive roadmap for the Detroit Lions' 2025 offseason
Allen Park — The Detroit Lions’ 2024 season ended prematurely. With that came a period of mourning. For some, the melancholy has lasted longer, but the team’s front office isn’t afforded the luxury.
“It happened and you can’t sulk it back,” general manager Brad Holmes said days after the team’s playoff loss to Washington. “You can’t mope a reversal of the unfortunate outcome, so there’s literally nothing else to do but pick yourself up and get back to work. There is nothing else to do, so that’s what we’re going to do. That’s what we will do, and the process has already started.”
Holmes and his staff can’t afford to linger on the past. They have to prepare for the future. The next few months are the heart of the roster-building process, the reshaping of the team for the season ahead.
As I’ve done in recent years, let’s work our way through what the next few months look like through Holmes’ lens — the decisions he faces that will determine how differently the Lions will look when they open training camp in late July.
Roster cuts
Let me share a personal preference upfront: I’m not going to offer opinions on whether the Lions should cut any player. I’ll provide the facts about production, contracts and cap hits, highlighting why the team might choose to part ways.
Cutting veterans is one of the earliest steps of the offseason process. When Holmes arrived in 2021, he aggressively purged the roster of talent acquired by the previous regime. Within the first three months, the GM released Christian Jones, Jesse James, Justin Coleman, Joe Dahl, Danny Shelton, Desmond Trufant, Chase Daniel and Kerryon Johnson. Linebacker Jamie Collins survived the initial culling, but he was gone before October.
The annual cuts have been less aggressive since that initial wave. Each of the past three offseasons has brought one major cap casualty. In 2022, it was Trey Flowers. The following offseason, Michael Brockers. And last year, it was Tracy Walker, unless you want to include cornerback Cam Sutton, who forced the team’s hand with off-field issues.
The Lions don’t have to do anything this year, but the GM will have some decisions to weigh. Let’s look at them individually, in alphabetical order.
Graham Glasgow
- 2025 cap hit: $7.4 million
- Dead money remaining: $5.3 million
- Potential savings: $2.1 million
However, Glasgow struggled to repeat his 2023 success after being shifted to the left side to accommodate the addition of Kevin Zeitler. For the second straight season, Glasgow allowed more than 30 pressures, including 13 sacks and QB hits. But unlike 2023, he didn’t make up for the protection woes with stellar run blocking.
Christian Mahogany is ready to step into a starting role. The Lions already have a scheduled opening in the lineup, with Zeitler set to re-enter free agency. Initial perceptions are it’s an either/or conversation between Glasgow and Zeitler for 2025.
Linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin
- 2025 cap hit: $4.65 million
- Dead money remaining: $2.75 million
- Potential savings: $1.85 million
He had a defensive role much of last season, typically logging between 10 and 20 snaps, mostly in coverage situations. He gave up receptions all 13 times he was targeted, resulting in 136 yards and two touchdowns.
Wide receiver Kalif Raymond
- 2025 cap hit: $6.38 million
- Dead money remaining: $3.1 million
- Potential savings: $3.28 million
Additionally, he continues to be one of the league’s better returners, particularly with punts. He averaged a career-best 13.8 yards last season, including a 90-yard touchdown.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Defensive tackle DJ Reader
Despite recording 3.0 sacks — earning a $375,000 salary escalator for the accomplishment — Reader’s quarterback pressures were down significantly from the 2023 season. More importantly to his role, he wasn’t nearly the dominant run defender he’s been most of his eight-year career.
The problem is the team doesn’t have a capable two-gap tackle waiting in the wings to take Reader’s spot. The Lions likely hoped Brodric Martin would be pushing for the job, but he logged just 25 defensive snaps during his second season, spending most weeks inactive after missing the first half of the year with a knee injury.
Defensive end Za’Darius Smith
The Lions will need a complement for Hutchinson in 2025, and Smith certainly fits the bill. Of course, he’ll be more costly than the team’s attempted bargain signing of Davenport last offseason.
As part of the trade, the Lions inherited the remaining portion of Smith’s two-year contract with the Browns last offseason. The deal includes a $7 million option bonus in 2025 and three void years, effectively spreading out an $11 million payday over the next two years.
Alternatively, the Lions can move on in March and not have any future cap obligations.
Other savings possibilities
Technically, the Lions could cut center Frank Ragnow, linebacker Alex Anzalone, cornerback Amik Robertson or punter Jack Fox and save multiple millions with those decisions. That said, each seems highly unlikely to be seriously considered.
Franchise and transition tags (March 4 deadline)
It’s been a minute since the Lions have utilized the franchise tag. You have to go back to 2018, when the team slapped the designation on defensive end Ziggy Ansah.
It’s not off the table this year, although it remains unlikely. The only realistic candidate is cornerback Carlton Davis. Coming over in an offseason trade, he was a solid addition to the roster. Regardless, the estimated tag for a cornerback is just north of $20 million. That would eat up a considerable percentage of Detroit’s projected cap space and hinder roster flexibility, even if they make some of the potential cuts referenced above.
Alternatively, the Lions could consider using the less common transition tag. The Patriots did so in 2023 with safety Kyle Dugger. Unlike the franchise tag, which is the average salary of the top five players at a position across five seasons, the transition tag is the average of the top 10.
Once assigned either tag, a player can still negotiate a long-term contract with another team. The tagging team has the right to match any agreement, but a decision not to match only nets draft compensation — two first-round picks — for players with the franchise tag.
The transition tag for a cornerback in 2025 is projected to be slightly more than $17 million.
Internal free agents
Over his first four years as general manager, Holmes has shown a preference for retaining his own free agents. He’s also demonstrated an ability to quickly pivot to an alternative option if the team is priced out of a projected market.
For example, the Lions wanted to re-sign Jonah Jackson last offseason. However, the team wasn’t willing to meet or exceed the three-year, $51 million offer the veteran guard received from the Rams.
Instead, the team turned to Zeitler, an older veteran coming off a Pro Bowl season. They were able to bring him in on a more reasonable one-year, $6 million deal.
Similarly, the team made a push to re-sign running back Jamaal Williams in 2023 after he topped 1,000 yards and rushed for a franchise-record 17 touchdowns. When he didn’t like the Lions’ offer, the team used those resources to sign David Montgomery for three years, $18 million.
In hindsight, the Lions are surely pleased with how things worked out in both situations.
Like most offseasons, Detroit has a significant number of unrestricted free agents. At the end of the season, 22 players were set to hit the open market, but the team has already re-signed offensive lineman Netane Muti.
Davis, Zeitler, linebacker Derrick Barnes and defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike are at the top of that list. And while the Lions would likely welcome them all back with open arms, they face the prospect of being outbid for each, as they were with Jackson last year.
Here are the unrestricted free agents I could see Detroit re-signing and what those contracts might look like.
- 2025 cap hit: $12.93 million
- Dead money remaining: $4.97 million
- Potential savings: $7.96 million
Despite recording 3.0 sacks — earning a $375,000 salary escalator for the accomplishment — Reader’s quarterback pressures were down significantly from the 2023 season. More importantly to his role, he wasn’t nearly the dominant run defender he’s been most of his eight-year career.
The problem is the team doesn’t have a capable two-gap tackle waiting in the wings to take Reader’s spot. The Lions likely hoped Brodric Martin would be pushing for the job, but he logged just 25 defensive snaps during his second season, spending most weeks inactive after missing the first half of the year with a knee injury.
Defensive end Za’Darius Smith
- 2025 cap hit: $5.73 million
- Dead money remaining: $0
- Potential savings: $5.73 million in 2025 and $5.24 million in 2026
The Lions will need a complement for Hutchinson in 2025, and Smith certainly fits the bill. Of course, he’ll be more costly than the team’s attempted bargain signing of Davenport last offseason.
As part of the trade, the Lions inherited the remaining portion of Smith’s two-year contract with the Browns last offseason. The deal includes a $7 million option bonus in 2025 and three void years, effectively spreading out an $11 million payday over the next two years.
Alternatively, the Lions can move on in March and not have any future cap obligations.
Other savings possibilities
Technically, the Lions could cut center Frank Ragnow, linebacker Alex Anzalone, cornerback Amik Robertson or punter Jack Fox and save multiple millions with those decisions. That said, each seems highly unlikely to be seriously considered.
Franchise and transition tags (March 4 deadline)
It’s been a minute since the Lions have utilized the franchise tag. You have to go back to 2018, when the team slapped the designation on defensive end Ziggy Ansah.
It’s not off the table this year, although it remains unlikely. The only realistic candidate is cornerback Carlton Davis. Coming over in an offseason trade, he was a solid addition to the roster. Regardless, the estimated tag for a cornerback is just north of $20 million. That would eat up a considerable percentage of Detroit’s projected cap space and hinder roster flexibility, even if they make some of the potential cuts referenced above.
Alternatively, the Lions could consider using the less common transition tag. The Patriots did so in 2023 with safety Kyle Dugger. Unlike the franchise tag, which is the average salary of the top five players at a position across five seasons, the transition tag is the average of the top 10.
Once assigned either tag, a player can still negotiate a long-term contract with another team. The tagging team has the right to match any agreement, but a decision not to match only nets draft compensation — two first-round picks — for players with the franchise tag.
The transition tag for a cornerback in 2025 is projected to be slightly more than $17 million.
Internal free agents
Over his first four years as general manager, Holmes has shown a preference for retaining his own free agents. He’s also demonstrated an ability to quickly pivot to an alternative option if the team is priced out of a projected market.
For example, the Lions wanted to re-sign Jonah Jackson last offseason. However, the team wasn’t willing to meet or exceed the three-year, $51 million offer the veteran guard received from the Rams.
Instead, the team turned to Zeitler, an older veteran coming off a Pro Bowl season. They were able to bring him in on a more reasonable one-year, $6 million deal.
Similarly, the team made a push to re-sign running back Jamaal Williams in 2023 after he topped 1,000 yards and rushed for a franchise-record 17 touchdowns. When he didn’t like the Lions’ offer, the team used those resources to sign David Montgomery for three years, $18 million.
In hindsight, the Lions are surely pleased with how things worked out in both situations.
Like most offseasons, Detroit has a significant number of unrestricted free agents. At the end of the season, 22 players were set to hit the open market, but the team has already re-signed offensive lineman Netane Muti.
Davis, Zeitler, linebacker Derrick Barnes and defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike are at the top of that list. And while the Lions would likely welcome them all back with open arms, they face the prospect of being outbid for each, as they were with Jackson last year.
Here are the unrestricted free agents I could see Detroit re-signing and what those contracts might look like.
msudaisy26
Footballguy
No one is saying you have to come back and eat your words. It is just a discussion. The cap hit could be a problem, but it will depend on how the Browns look at their situation.
If they don't want the hit then it will cost more to get him before June 1st. How much? Who knows. If they love the draft this year and want more picks now and would rather just take the cap hit now since they are rebuilding then that could change things.
The only thing we know right now is that Cleveland says they don't want to trade him, but they are saying that no matter what because either they don't want to trade or they want to drive the value up. I believe the latter.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Linebacker Derrick Barnes
Projected Contract: Three years, $16.5 million
Even if the Lions are priced out of the market to re-sign Davis and Onwuzurike, they should have the spending power to lure Barnes back. In the four years since he was drafted, the team has invested heavily in his development, and he has worked hard to ensure that patience wasn’t wasted.
Before suffering a season-ending injury, Barnes was on the field 86.5% of the team’s defensive snaps through two games. His impact is more evident in his positioning and assignment execution than his stat line. The lack of counting metrics is what could keep him within Detroit’s price range.
Wide receiver Tim Patrick
Projected Contract: One year, $2 million
The Lions wanted to retain Josh Reynolds last offseason but got outbid by the Denver Broncos. Knowing Jameson Williams was ready for a more prominent role, the team hoped Donovan Peoples-Jones — a trade deadline acquisition the previous season — could step up and be WR3. He didn’t, nor did several other options on the offseason roster, leaving the Lions hunting for a solution going into September.
They eventually found a fit in Patrick, who had been let go by the Broncos after training camp. After missing the previous two seasons with serious leg injuries, no one was sure how much the 30-year-old receiver had in the tank. But the low-risk roll of the dice on size and work ethic paid off.
After a brief acclimation period on Detroit’s practice squad, Patrick appeared in 16 games, logging more than 600 snaps and catching 33 of 44 targets. He also nicely backfilled some of the dirty work as a blocker that Reynolds had done.
At his age, Patrick isn’t a long-term solution, but while the Lions sort that out, there’s little reason not extend the partnership.
Cornerback Khalil Dorsey
Projected Contract: One year, $1.5 million
Best gunner in the league? Dorsey is undoubtedly in the conversation. And even though his season ended prematurely due to a broken leg, he played a key role in punter Jack Fox establishing a new NFL record for net average.m
Dorsey’s ability to help win the field-position battle is reason enough to retain him. He also can return kicks and offers serviceable depth at cornerback.
Defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad
Projected Contract: One year, $2 million
Muhammad’s signing to the practice squad in early October wasn’t a needle-moving addition. He hadn’t played in 2023, was coming off a six-game suspension, and had tallied a single sack despite seeing more than 600 snaps for Chicago in 2022.
But when the injuries piled up across Detroit’s defensive front, Muhammad proved to be a workable stopgap, registering 24 quarterback pressures and 3.0 sacks in nine games.
“We brought him in, we had to use him basically immediately, got him out there, and he gave us everything he had,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said in January.
That’s enough to be brought back as depth along the defensive front.
Defensive tackle Pat O’Connor
Projected Contract: One year, $1.5 million
O’Connor arrived a couple of months earlier than Muhammad, spending most of training camp with the Lions. He didn’t make the initial 53-man roster but similarly earned an October promotion. He appeared in 12 games and logged more than 200 defensive snaps.
With a quick first step, O’Connor provides good interior depth. He is capable of playing all along the defensive front, from nose tackle to big end. He also contributes on special teams. The cherry on top is Detroit’s new defensive line coach, Kacy Rodgers, spent six seasons with O’Connor in Tampa.
Offensive tackle Dan Skipper
Projected Contract: One year, $1.25 million
It wouldn’t be the offseason if the Lions didn’t reward Skipper with another one-year contract. The veteran earned the team’s swing tackle job coming out of camp last offseason. Between some spot starts and his regular role as a jumbo tight end, he logged more than 300 offensive snaps in 2024.
Of course, he’ll have to win that role all over again next offseason. That includes fending off Giovanni Manu, the 2024 fourth-round pick who spent his rookie year being developed behind the scenes.
Projected Contract: Three years, $16.5 million
Even if the Lions are priced out of the market to re-sign Davis and Onwuzurike, they should have the spending power to lure Barnes back. In the four years since he was drafted, the team has invested heavily in his development, and he has worked hard to ensure that patience wasn’t wasted.
Before suffering a season-ending injury, Barnes was on the field 86.5% of the team’s defensive snaps through two games. His impact is more evident in his positioning and assignment execution than his stat line. The lack of counting metrics is what could keep him within Detroit’s price range.
Wide receiver Tim Patrick
Projected Contract: One year, $2 million
The Lions wanted to retain Josh Reynolds last offseason but got outbid by the Denver Broncos. Knowing Jameson Williams was ready for a more prominent role, the team hoped Donovan Peoples-Jones — a trade deadline acquisition the previous season — could step up and be WR3. He didn’t, nor did several other options on the offseason roster, leaving the Lions hunting for a solution going into September.
They eventually found a fit in Patrick, who had been let go by the Broncos after training camp. After missing the previous two seasons with serious leg injuries, no one was sure how much the 30-year-old receiver had in the tank. But the low-risk roll of the dice on size and work ethic paid off.
After a brief acclimation period on Detroit’s practice squad, Patrick appeared in 16 games, logging more than 600 snaps and catching 33 of 44 targets. He also nicely backfilled some of the dirty work as a blocker that Reynolds had done.
At his age, Patrick isn’t a long-term solution, but while the Lions sort that out, there’s little reason not extend the partnership.
Cornerback Khalil Dorsey
Projected Contract: One year, $1.5 million
Best gunner in the league? Dorsey is undoubtedly in the conversation. And even though his season ended prematurely due to a broken leg, he played a key role in punter Jack Fox establishing a new NFL record for net average.m
Dorsey’s ability to help win the field-position battle is reason enough to retain him. He also can return kicks and offers serviceable depth at cornerback.
Defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad
Projected Contract: One year, $2 million
Muhammad’s signing to the practice squad in early October wasn’t a needle-moving addition. He hadn’t played in 2023, was coming off a six-game suspension, and had tallied a single sack despite seeing more than 600 snaps for Chicago in 2022.
But when the injuries piled up across Detroit’s defensive front, Muhammad proved to be a workable stopgap, registering 24 quarterback pressures and 3.0 sacks in nine games.
“We brought him in, we had to use him basically immediately, got him out there, and he gave us everything he had,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said in January.
That’s enough to be brought back as depth along the defensive front.
Defensive tackle Pat O’Connor
Projected Contract: One year, $1.5 million
O’Connor arrived a couple of months earlier than Muhammad, spending most of training camp with the Lions. He didn’t make the initial 53-man roster but similarly earned an October promotion. He appeared in 12 games and logged more than 200 defensive snaps.
With a quick first step, O’Connor provides good interior depth. He is capable of playing all along the defensive front, from nose tackle to big end. He also contributes on special teams. The cherry on top is Detroit’s new defensive line coach, Kacy Rodgers, spent six seasons with O’Connor in Tampa.
Offensive tackle Dan Skipper
Projected Contract: One year, $1.25 million
It wouldn’t be the offseason if the Lions didn’t reward Skipper with another one-year contract. The veteran earned the team’s swing tackle job coming out of camp last offseason. Between some spot starts and his regular role as a jumbo tight end, he logged more than 300 offensive snaps in 2024.
Of course, he’ll have to win that role all over again next offseason. That includes fending off Giovanni Manu, the 2024 fourth-round pick who spent his rookie year being developed behind the scenes.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Restricted free agents
In addition to the group of unrestricted free agents, the Lions have five players who are restricted: Defensive lineman Myles Adams, guard Kayode Awosika, linebacker Anthony Pittman, running back Craig Reynolds and tight end Shane Zylstra.
What is a restricted free agent? It’s a player with three accrued seasons. A player is awarded an accrued season when they are on the active roster or injured list for a minimum of six games.
With restricted free agents, a team has the option to tender them at one of four levels: First round, second round, original round or right of first refusal. The range of those one-year offers is estimated between $3 million and 7.5 million for the 2025 season. The salary is not guaranteed.
If tendered, a restricted free agent can still negotiate a deal with another team, which the original team can match or receive draft compensation based on the level of tender.
There is no compensation for declining to match a right-of-first-refusal tender.
If a restricted free agent is not tendered (or re-signed) by the team ahead of the start of the new league year, they become unrestricted free agents.
In 2023, the Lions tendered tight end Brock Wright as a restricted free agent. The 49ers signed him a three-year, $12 million offer sheet, which the Lions opted to match.
It’s unlikely the Lions will tender any of their five restricted free agents this season. In each instance, it would be an unnecessary overpay.
Any of those five players could still return to Detroit, particularly Reynolds, who is a trusted depth piece on offense and a key special teams contributor.
Exclusive rights free agents
Exclusive rights players have expiring contracts and fewer than three accrued seasons. If tendered, they receive a non-guaranteed, one-year offer for the veteran minimum and are not permitted to negotiate with other teams.
The Lions have four players in this category: Linebacker Mitchell Agude, offensive tackle Connor Galvin, offensive lineman Michael Niese and linebacker Trevor Nowaske.
Given the low cost and limited risk, the team typically exercises this option for most free agents fitting the criteria each offseason.
External free agency (March 12)
At the start of Detroit’s rebuild under Holmes, the team primarily signed undervalued veterans to one-year contracts. Most of those additions ended up as short-term solutions, although solutions might be a generous term. A handful, namely Anzalone and Raymond, developed into long-term pieces.
In recent years, Holmes has taken more significant swings at plugging roster holes. In 2023, the team signed Montgomery, Sutton and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Last year, it was Reader, Zeitler, Robertson and Davenport.
This year’s salary cap will not be set until March, and some roster moves that occur before the start of free agency in the middle of that month will increase Detroit’s available funds. The team should be able to land a piece or three, similar in caliber to the additions from the past two years.
Where does the team need immediate help most? The defensive line stands out, and that need could swell if the Lions lose Onwuzurike, cut Reader, or both. Depending on how the team sifts through some of its internal decisions, there could also be holes at the guard, cornerback, and wide receiver positions.
Let’s start with some of the solutions expected to be available along the defensive front.
In addition to the group of unrestricted free agents, the Lions have five players who are restricted: Defensive lineman Myles Adams, guard Kayode Awosika, linebacker Anthony Pittman, running back Craig Reynolds and tight end Shane Zylstra.
What is a restricted free agent? It’s a player with three accrued seasons. A player is awarded an accrued season when they are on the active roster or injured list for a minimum of six games.
With restricted free agents, a team has the option to tender them at one of four levels: First round, second round, original round or right of first refusal. The range of those one-year offers is estimated between $3 million and 7.5 million for the 2025 season. The salary is not guaranteed.
If tendered, a restricted free agent can still negotiate a deal with another team, which the original team can match or receive draft compensation based on the level of tender.
There is no compensation for declining to match a right-of-first-refusal tender.
If a restricted free agent is not tendered (or re-signed) by the team ahead of the start of the new league year, they become unrestricted free agents.
In 2023, the Lions tendered tight end Brock Wright as a restricted free agent. The 49ers signed him a three-year, $12 million offer sheet, which the Lions opted to match.
It’s unlikely the Lions will tender any of their five restricted free agents this season. In each instance, it would be an unnecessary overpay.
Any of those five players could still return to Detroit, particularly Reynolds, who is a trusted depth piece on offense and a key special teams contributor.
Exclusive rights free agents
Exclusive rights players have expiring contracts and fewer than three accrued seasons. If tendered, they receive a non-guaranteed, one-year offer for the veteran minimum and are not permitted to negotiate with other teams.
The Lions have four players in this category: Linebacker Mitchell Agude, offensive tackle Connor Galvin, offensive lineman Michael Niese and linebacker Trevor Nowaske.
Given the low cost and limited risk, the team typically exercises this option for most free agents fitting the criteria each offseason.
External free agency (March 12)
At the start of Detroit’s rebuild under Holmes, the team primarily signed undervalued veterans to one-year contracts. Most of those additions ended up as short-term solutions, although solutions might be a generous term. A handful, namely Anzalone and Raymond, developed into long-term pieces.
In recent years, Holmes has taken more significant swings at plugging roster holes. In 2023, the team signed Montgomery, Sutton and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Last year, it was Reader, Zeitler, Robertson and Davenport.
This year’s salary cap will not be set until March, and some roster moves that occur before the start of free agency in the middle of that month will increase Detroit’s available funds. The team should be able to land a piece or three, similar in caliber to the additions from the past two years.
Where does the team need immediate help most? The defensive line stands out, and that need could swell if the Lions lose Onwuzurike, cut Reader, or both. Depending on how the team sifts through some of its internal decisions, there could also be holes at the guard, cornerback, and wide receiver positions.
Let’s start with some of the solutions expected to be available along the defensive front.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
On the inside, the Lions could revisit Calais Campbell, a player they considered signing a couple of years back. He turns 39 in September, making him one of the oldest players in the league. However, he remains one of the best run-stuffing defensive linemen in football. He also offers more pass-rush production than anyone on Detroit’s current roster beyond Hutchinson and McNeill.
A more significant swing, if the Lions wanted something more long-term, would be B.J. Hill. A third-round pick in 2018, he played collegiately at North Carolina State, where both McNeill and Lions assistant general manager Ray Agnew went to school. Hill is a durable and well-rounded talent who holds his own against the run and has averaged nearly 40 QB pressures over the past four seasons.
On the cheaper side is Poona Ford. He re-established some value playing for the Chargers and Jim Harbaugh in 2024 following a disappointing season with the Bills the previous year. Ford is undersized (5-foot-11, 310 pounds) but plays with good leverage, making him an above-average run defender who is quick enough to disrupt the pocket as a backup 3-technique.
Finally, in the spirit of considering past connections, there’s Greg Gaines. The Rams drafted him when Holmes was the team’s college scouting director and Gaines spent the past two seasons with Rodgers in Tampa. The 6-foot-1, 312-pounder has played all the various interior alignments and has more than 3,000 defensive snaps under his belt.
If Detroit opts to invest more heavily on the edge, it would likely hinge on parting with Za’Darius Smith. Assuming the team doesn’t pull off a blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett, one of the more exciting alternatives the team could pursue is Khalil Mack. On the cusp of his 34th birthday, the pass-rush production was down last season. Still, he racked up nearly 50 pressures to go with 6.0 sacks, all while remaining one of the best run defenders in the league at the position. Pairing the four-time first-team All-Pro with Hutchinson would force opponents to choose who to double.
If Holmes wanted to lean more into familiarity, there’s Dante Fowler Jr. or Michael Hoecht.
Fowler, who spent last season with Washington, is coming off the second double-digit sack season of his career. The other was with the Rams in 2019, overlapping with Holmes’ time with the franchise. The downside with Fowler is he’s average, at best, against the run. With that profile, the Lions might as well stick with Smith and avoid a multi-year commitment.
Hoecht, who signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2020, doesn’t offer the same level of pass-rush production. The former defensive tackle has dropped a significant amount of weight since the start of his career. He now plays almost exclusively on the edge, with a fair share of coverage drops. He could be an option to fill Barnes’ role if the Lions lose him in free agency.
At wide receiver, if the Lions wanted to go a different direction than Patrick, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is intriguing. However, he’s probably in line for a decent raise after racking up 497 yards and nine touchdowns last season, with all that production coming in the final 13 games.
Westbrook-Ikhine will be 28 years old at the start of the 2025 season. He has good size, is capable as a downfield target, thrives in contested-catch situations, and has flashed as a blocker.
Another younger option who could fill Detroit’s need for size on the outside is Noah Brown. Playing for three different teams the past three seasons, he’s averaged 37 catches for 525 yards. Plus, he’s been an above-average run blocker most of his career.
If it’s primarily blocking the Lions are seeking — and Patrick finds a larger contract offer than the Lions want to pay — Chris Conley could be a stopgap. It would be a stretch asking him to fill the No. 3 role full-time at his age. Still, at 32, he remains one of the league’s better run blockers at his position. Additionally, he can capably contribute to special teams in a way most receivers can’t.
Lastly, the team will probably need some cornerback depth if they don’t re-sign Davis.
A veteran presence would be good for the room, which is why someone like Stephon Gilmore merits consideration. Even at the age of 34, he held his own in Minnesota last season, and he remains an excellent run defender on the perimeter, which the Lions value. He didn’t play much man-to-man in Minnesota last season but has plenty of experience in those schemes.
Isaiah Rodgers, who was suspended for the entire 2023 season for violating the league’s gambling policy, has been an underrated depth piece for the Eagles this season. Additionally, he’s good for 150 or more special teams snaps.
A more significant swing, if the Lions wanted something more long-term, would be B.J. Hill. A third-round pick in 2018, he played collegiately at North Carolina State, where both McNeill and Lions assistant general manager Ray Agnew went to school. Hill is a durable and well-rounded talent who holds his own against the run and has averaged nearly 40 QB pressures over the past four seasons.
On the cheaper side is Poona Ford. He re-established some value playing for the Chargers and Jim Harbaugh in 2024 following a disappointing season with the Bills the previous year. Ford is undersized (5-foot-11, 310 pounds) but plays with good leverage, making him an above-average run defender who is quick enough to disrupt the pocket as a backup 3-technique.
Finally, in the spirit of considering past connections, there’s Greg Gaines. The Rams drafted him when Holmes was the team’s college scouting director and Gaines spent the past two seasons with Rodgers in Tampa. The 6-foot-1, 312-pounder has played all the various interior alignments and has more than 3,000 defensive snaps under his belt.
If Detroit opts to invest more heavily on the edge, it would likely hinge on parting with Za’Darius Smith. Assuming the team doesn’t pull off a blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett, one of the more exciting alternatives the team could pursue is Khalil Mack. On the cusp of his 34th birthday, the pass-rush production was down last season. Still, he racked up nearly 50 pressures to go with 6.0 sacks, all while remaining one of the best run defenders in the league at the position. Pairing the four-time first-team All-Pro with Hutchinson would force opponents to choose who to double.
If Holmes wanted to lean more into familiarity, there’s Dante Fowler Jr. or Michael Hoecht.
Fowler, who spent last season with Washington, is coming off the second double-digit sack season of his career. The other was with the Rams in 2019, overlapping with Holmes’ time with the franchise. The downside with Fowler is he’s average, at best, against the run. With that profile, the Lions might as well stick with Smith and avoid a multi-year commitment.
Hoecht, who signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2020, doesn’t offer the same level of pass-rush production. The former defensive tackle has dropped a significant amount of weight since the start of his career. He now plays almost exclusively on the edge, with a fair share of coverage drops. He could be an option to fill Barnes’ role if the Lions lose him in free agency.
At wide receiver, if the Lions wanted to go a different direction than Patrick, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is intriguing. However, he’s probably in line for a decent raise after racking up 497 yards and nine touchdowns last season, with all that production coming in the final 13 games.
Westbrook-Ikhine will be 28 years old at the start of the 2025 season. He has good size, is capable as a downfield target, thrives in contested-catch situations, and has flashed as a blocker.
Another younger option who could fill Detroit’s need for size on the outside is Noah Brown. Playing for three different teams the past three seasons, he’s averaged 37 catches for 525 yards. Plus, he’s been an above-average run blocker most of his career.
If it’s primarily blocking the Lions are seeking — and Patrick finds a larger contract offer than the Lions want to pay — Chris Conley could be a stopgap. It would be a stretch asking him to fill the No. 3 role full-time at his age. Still, at 32, he remains one of the league’s better run blockers at his position. Additionally, he can capably contribute to special teams in a way most receivers can’t.
Lastly, the team will probably need some cornerback depth if they don’t re-sign Davis.
A veteran presence would be good for the room, which is why someone like Stephon Gilmore merits consideration. Even at the age of 34, he held his own in Minnesota last season, and he remains an excellent run defender on the perimeter, which the Lions value. He didn’t play much man-to-man in Minnesota last season but has plenty of experience in those schemes.
Isaiah Rodgers, who was suspended for the entire 2023 season for violating the league’s gambling policy, has been an underrated depth piece for the Eagles this season. Additionally, he’s good for 150 or more special teams snaps.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
On the pricier side, because he’s more starting-caliber than depth, Paulson Adebo was stingy in man coverage last season, allowing just 15 catches on 31 targets. One thing that could keep him in Detroit’s price range as a Davis replacement is Adebo’s recovering from a broken leg suffered in the middle of last season.
Restocking through the draft (April 24-26)
Most of the heavy lifting for the draft happens before the NFL season finishes. In the months leading up to the three-day event, there are several box-checking opportunities with prospects via the college all-star games, scouting combine (Feb. 27-March 3), pro days, and 30 allotted visits to the team’s practice facility.
While the draft remains the focal point of Holmes’ roster-building strategy, he’s coming off a year where he got the least impact from a rookie class during his tenure.
That’s a reality more than a criticism. The roster’s overall talent and depth have made it more difficult for players to crack the starting lineup during their first season. That’s likely factored into the GM being more aggressive in the middle rounds with projects the past two offseasons, headlined by Martin and Manu. Running back Sione Vaki also fits that description, but at least he provided immediate special teams contributions.
Barring a trade, the Lions are scheduled to select 28th in the first round this year. The team will have six other picks, including a to-be-announced compensatory selection at the end of the third round for losing defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
Detroit doesn’t have a fifth-round choice. They sent that to the Browns for Smith at the trade deadline. But they have an extra seventh, acquired from Dallas last year as part of a draft pick swap that landed the Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold.
As late as the Lions are picking in the opening round, they can go any number of directions, regardless of how the team approaches its needs in free agency.
Without going too deep into the specifics of the prospect pool — saving much of that analysis for later in the offseason — here are some of the players currently projected to be available around Detroit’s first-round range.
Wide receivers
Luther Burden III (Missouri), Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State), Matthew Golden (Texas), Tre Harris (Ole Miss)
As noted, re-signing Patrick should be viewed as a short-term solution. Beyond that, the cost of veteran receivers in free agency has skyrocketed in recent years. With Amon-Ra St. Brown landing a massive extension from the Lions last offseason, and Jameson Williams rapidly closing in on his own, bolstering the positional depth through the draft makes good business sense.
Offensive linemen
Armand Membou (Missouri), Josh Simmons (Ohio State), Josh Conerly Jr. (Oregon), Tyler Booker (Alabama), Donovan Jackson (Ohio State), Jonah Savaiinaea (Arizona)
Whether it’s an offensive tackle or an interior lineman, Holmes has made it clear he intends to “water the entire garden” when it comes to nurturing the strength of the roster. Obviously, there’s a long-term need at guard, regardless of whether Glasgow, Zeitler or both are back in 2025.
Defensive linemen
Kenneth Grant (Michigan), Derrick Harmon (Oregon), Walter Nolen (Ole Miss), Tyleik Williams (Ohio State), Alfred Collins (Texas), James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee), Mike Green (Marshall), Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M), Jack Sawyer (Ohio State)
This is shaping up to be the easiest path to finding a Day 1 contributor. An early-round pick wouldn’t even need to start. There’s immediate room to bolster the edge and interior rotations.
Linebacker
Jihaad Campbell (Alabama), Carson Schwesinger (UCLA)
Whether it’s replacing Barnes or bracing for life after Anzalone, selecting a linebacker in the early rounds can’t be dismissed. Holmes has already shown a willingness to buck perceived positional value in the first round, taking Jack Campbell No. 18 in 2022.
Cornerbacks
Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame), Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina), Jahdae Barron (Texas)
Re-signing Davis would reduce the urgency, but you can almost never have enough quality depth at corner. Even without re-signing the veteran, most of the team’s backups are headed toward free agency. Moreover, Robertson will be operating on the final year of his current contract.
Safety
Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina), Malaki Starks (Georgia)
Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are arguably the best safety tandem in the league. Still, with Ifeatu Melifonwu headed toward free agency, the team lacks meaningful depth. Additionally, working out extensions for both Branch and Joseph could be tricky. It’s better to be prepared for the alternate option if it comes to that.
Extension considerations
Another Holmes tendency has been to get ahead of the curve with extensions. Locking up top talent, often at a market-setting rate, can quickly develop into value, given the steadily rising cap.
For example, quarterback Jared Goff’s average annual value ranks sixth at his position after he signed last offseason. Four deals inked in the months following, including pacts for Trevor Lawrence, Jordan Love and Dak Prescott, have surpassed Goff’s average salary.
This year, there are three obvious candidates for extensions: Hutchinson, Joseph and Williams.
Holmes recently reminded us it takes both sides to come together to get these deals done early. That said, the Lions have added leverage with Hutchinson and Williams since the team can (and almost certainly will) exercise fifth-year options on their rookie contracts.
With Hutchinson, it will likely require the largest contract for a defensive player in NFL history, topping Nick Bosa’s five-year, $170 million deal. Getting it done two years early would mirror what the Lions accomplished with offensive tackle Penei Sewell last offseason.
Regarding Williams, the Lions can afford to be more patient, opting toward monitoring the speedy receiver’s continued development on and off the field before locking him down. Given the skill set and ascending production, Williams’ representation should be able to push for $25 million per year.
As for Joseph, there’s more urgency, given the playmaking safety is entering the final year of his contract. Holmes has already said extension talks are on the agenda. There’s little doubt the NFL’s interception leader drove up the cost this past season. He should be able to command more than the four-year, $67 million pact Xavier McKinney got from the Packers last offseason.
In terms of veterans, pending what the team does during the remainder of the offseason, the team could consider extending the contracts of linebacker Alex Anzalone or cornerback Amik Robertson, taking a similar approach to the mid-season agreement reached with Montgomery in 2024. Both players are strong culture fits worthy of being retained and rewarded.
Restocking through the draft (April 24-26)
Most of the heavy lifting for the draft happens before the NFL season finishes. In the months leading up to the three-day event, there are several box-checking opportunities with prospects via the college all-star games, scouting combine (Feb. 27-March 3), pro days, and 30 allotted visits to the team’s practice facility.
While the draft remains the focal point of Holmes’ roster-building strategy, he’s coming off a year where he got the least impact from a rookie class during his tenure.
That’s a reality more than a criticism. The roster’s overall talent and depth have made it more difficult for players to crack the starting lineup during their first season. That’s likely factored into the GM being more aggressive in the middle rounds with projects the past two offseasons, headlined by Martin and Manu. Running back Sione Vaki also fits that description, but at least he provided immediate special teams contributions.
Barring a trade, the Lions are scheduled to select 28th in the first round this year. The team will have six other picks, including a to-be-announced compensatory selection at the end of the third round for losing defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
Detroit doesn’t have a fifth-round choice. They sent that to the Browns for Smith at the trade deadline. But they have an extra seventh, acquired from Dallas last year as part of a draft pick swap that landed the Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold.
As late as the Lions are picking in the opening round, they can go any number of directions, regardless of how the team approaches its needs in free agency.
Without going too deep into the specifics of the prospect pool — saving much of that analysis for later in the offseason — here are some of the players currently projected to be available around Detroit’s first-round range.
Wide receivers
Luther Burden III (Missouri), Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State), Matthew Golden (Texas), Tre Harris (Ole Miss)
As noted, re-signing Patrick should be viewed as a short-term solution. Beyond that, the cost of veteran receivers in free agency has skyrocketed in recent years. With Amon-Ra St. Brown landing a massive extension from the Lions last offseason, and Jameson Williams rapidly closing in on his own, bolstering the positional depth through the draft makes good business sense.
Offensive linemen
Armand Membou (Missouri), Josh Simmons (Ohio State), Josh Conerly Jr. (Oregon), Tyler Booker (Alabama), Donovan Jackson (Ohio State), Jonah Savaiinaea (Arizona)
Whether it’s an offensive tackle or an interior lineman, Holmes has made it clear he intends to “water the entire garden” when it comes to nurturing the strength of the roster. Obviously, there’s a long-term need at guard, regardless of whether Glasgow, Zeitler or both are back in 2025.
Defensive linemen
Kenneth Grant (Michigan), Derrick Harmon (Oregon), Walter Nolen (Ole Miss), Tyleik Williams (Ohio State), Alfred Collins (Texas), James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee), Mike Green (Marshall), Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M), Jack Sawyer (Ohio State)
This is shaping up to be the easiest path to finding a Day 1 contributor. An early-round pick wouldn’t even need to start. There’s immediate room to bolster the edge and interior rotations.
Linebacker
Jihaad Campbell (Alabama), Carson Schwesinger (UCLA)
Whether it’s replacing Barnes or bracing for life after Anzalone, selecting a linebacker in the early rounds can’t be dismissed. Holmes has already shown a willingness to buck perceived positional value in the first round, taking Jack Campbell No. 18 in 2022.
Cornerbacks
Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame), Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina), Jahdae Barron (Texas)
Re-signing Davis would reduce the urgency, but you can almost never have enough quality depth at corner. Even without re-signing the veteran, most of the team’s backups are headed toward free agency. Moreover, Robertson will be operating on the final year of his current contract.
Safety
Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina), Malaki Starks (Georgia)
Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are arguably the best safety tandem in the league. Still, with Ifeatu Melifonwu headed toward free agency, the team lacks meaningful depth. Additionally, working out extensions for both Branch and Joseph could be tricky. It’s better to be prepared for the alternate option if it comes to that.
Extension considerations
Another Holmes tendency has been to get ahead of the curve with extensions. Locking up top talent, often at a market-setting rate, can quickly develop into value, given the steadily rising cap.
For example, quarterback Jared Goff’s average annual value ranks sixth at his position after he signed last offseason. Four deals inked in the months following, including pacts for Trevor Lawrence, Jordan Love and Dak Prescott, have surpassed Goff’s average salary.
This year, there are three obvious candidates for extensions: Hutchinson, Joseph and Williams.
Holmes recently reminded us it takes both sides to come together to get these deals done early. That said, the Lions have added leverage with Hutchinson and Williams since the team can (and almost certainly will) exercise fifth-year options on their rookie contracts.
With Hutchinson, it will likely require the largest contract for a defensive player in NFL history, topping Nick Bosa’s five-year, $170 million deal. Getting it done two years early would mirror what the Lions accomplished with offensive tackle Penei Sewell last offseason.
Regarding Williams, the Lions can afford to be more patient, opting toward monitoring the speedy receiver’s continued development on and off the field before locking him down. Given the skill set and ascending production, Williams’ representation should be able to push for $25 million per year.
As for Joseph, there’s more urgency, given the playmaking safety is entering the final year of his contract. Holmes has already said extension talks are on the agenda. There’s little doubt the NFL’s interception leader drove up the cost this past season. He should be able to command more than the four-year, $67 million pact Xavier McKinney got from the Packers last offseason.
In terms of veterans, pending what the team does during the remainder of the offseason, the team could consider extending the contracts of linebacker Alex Anzalone or cornerback Amik Robertson, taking a similar approach to the mid-season agreement reached with Montgomery in 2024. Both players are strong culture fits worthy of being retained and rewarded.
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
Glasgow seems like the weak link, pay the extra to bring back Zeitler if possible?
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Def a hard call. The biggest problem might be we have 3 guys who have spent most of the career at RG. CM did well at LG v CHI - he’s the most likely one to fill that spot next year.
Will be interesting to see how it plays out. Probably need to do what they did with the DL a few years back (Romeo O & maybe C Harris, I’m a little hazy on details) - “OK, we have a role for you to compete for, but you’re coming off a bad year and at the age cliff. Restructure & we’ll se you in TC. It’s your best option to stay in the league.”
msudaisy26
Footballguy
I would roll with CM.
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
But you still have another starter at guard.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Yep. Likely the only way they can resign Zeitler is to get GG to play ball. It’s negligible to cut him/pay KZ v restructure/resign those two.
Riskiest would be don’t resign KZ & hope Graham returns to form at his more natural position.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Eagles’ Super Bowl win is not evidence Lions need a Myles Garrett trade
The Detroit Lions need to improve their pass rush, but the Super Bowl champ Philadelphia Eagles show that a trade for Myles Garrett isn’t the way.
By Jeremy Reisman
As is tradition after the Super Bowl, NFL fans and analysts are scrambling to figure out ways their team can build exactly like the league’s champion. I think this is flawed reasoning because we’re relying on a sample size of single-elimination playoffs and I am also firmly against the idea of copycatting in the NFL. Teams build different ways and find success through various strategies.
But I’ll play along. How do the Detroit Lions build like the Philadelphia Eagles to get over the hump and win their first Super Bowl? For many people, Sunday’s dominant win was proof that the Lions need to get as aggressive as possible to land Maxx Crosby or Myles Garrett. Price be damned, the Lions need to get that elite pass rusher.
On the surface, I get the argument. The Eagles’ pass rush was dominant against an inferior Chiefs offensive line. They were able to sack Patrick Mahomes six times on Sunday night without sending more than four pass rushers a single time. There’s no doubt the Eagles winning the trench battle on both sides of the ball is a big reason they are champions this Monday morning.
But saying the Lions need to go all-in on a single pass rusher is ignoring how the Eagles have built their pass rush. Let me explain.
Draft, draft, and more draft
The Eagles’ defensive line is built almost exclusively through the draft—and high draft capital.- EDGE Nolan Smith — 2023 first-round pick
- EDGE Brandon Graham — 2010 first-round pick
- DT Jordan Davis — 2022 first-round pick
- DT Jalen Carter — 2023 first-round pick
- DT Milton Williams — 2021 third-round pick
- DT Moro Ojomo — 2023 seventh-round pick
- EDGE Josh Sweat — 2018 fourth-round pick
The Eagles’ defense is proof of concept when it comes to draft and develop—far from an “F THEM PICKS” mentality. In the past three drafts, the Eagles have spent eight of 10 Day 1 or Day 2 picks on defense—half of those spent on the defensive line. The other Day 1 or 2 picks? Offensive line, offensive line. Build through the trenches.
Depth, depth, and more depth
Whereas Lions fans are dreaming about having not just one, but two elite pass rushers, the Eagles’ ability to get to the passer is not just about one or two players or a single position. It’s about everything and everyone working in harmony.This year, the Eagles didn’t have a single player with more than 8.0 sacks. They only had a single edge rusher (Josh Sweat, 59) with more than 50 pressures all season—including the playoffs (reminder: Aidan Hutchinson had 45 pressures in five games).
Yet, collectively, they had PFF’s second-highest pass rush grade and ESPN’s eighth-highest pass rush win rate.
That’s because the Eagles have built tremendous depth at the position. It’s not about one player. So when Brandon Graham went down in Week 12, the Eagles didn’t skip a beat. Milton Williams stepped up and produced 33 pressures in the next nine games—and two sacks and a forced fumble in the Super Bowl.
Ironically, the Eagles’ biggest pass rush investment outside of the draft—signing Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51.1 million deal in 2024 free agency—produced just 23 pressures and 2.5 sacks in 12 games. He was a healthy scratch for the Super Bowl.
What’s perhaps even most interesting about the Eagles’ pass rush is that they used to have a single pass-rushing threat on the edge. Haason Reddick produced back-to-back seasons of 10+ sacks for the Eagles in 2022 and 2023. What did they end up doing with him this year? Traded him away for a 2026 third-round pick. Reddick ended up playing 10 games for the Jets this year and tallied just a single sack. It was never just about one player in Philly.
Yes, the Lions have Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill to pair with a third, potential pass rushing star, but Detroit is still woefully thin beyond those three. Meanwhile, the Eagles thrived without two of their biggest pass rushing threats from 2023 for a large portion of the season (Reddick, Graham).
Interior pass rush is just as important, if not more
The key when pressuring a player like Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl or Jayden Daniels in the NFC Championship game is getting your entire defensive line to work in harmony to clog up rushing lanes. Not only did the Eagles sack Mahomes and Daniels a collective nine times, but the duo rushed for just 73 total yards in those games.Philly’s pass rush is defined by their interior presence. When it comes to their leaders in pressures (per PFF), three of their top five are interior defenders: Jalen Carter (73 pressures), Milton Williams (50), and Moro Ojomo (36).
As for PFF pass rushing grade, the Eagles don’t have a single edge rusher ranked in the top 30 across the NFL. However, they have three defensive tackles ranked in the top 10:
- Milton Williams (second, 90.4)
- Moro Ojomo: (fifth, 82.6)
- Jalen Carter (seventh, 81.5)
The Lions’ pass rush already has top-end talent, now they need depth
As noted before, the Lions already have two really important pieces when it comes to their pass rush. Hutchinson is a beast and McNeill continues to grow and thrive. Both finished top-15 at their position when it comes to PFF pass rush (Hutchinson first, McNeill 12th). But Detroit lacks any semblance of depth, so when one (or in 2024’s case, both) got injured, the Lions had no answer.I’m not saying the Lions don’t need to invest in their defensive line. In fact, I’m saying quite the opposite. They need to invest more and more and more. But I don’t think this defensive line is a piece away. I think it is several pieces away. If they want to build a pass rush that resembles the Eagles’ dominant group, they are going to need a multi-year investment at the position.
And, look, the Lions have tried. They drafted Hutchinson, McNeill, Josh Paschal, and Levi Onwuzurike all with Day 1 or 2 picks. Half of those have worked out, half of them haven’t (yet). If the Lions were a little more efficient with those picks, they may have had their shot at Philly in the NFC Championship game.
I’m not completely against a move to get Garrett. I’ve said as much in the past, and I am fully behind improving this team’s pass rush. However, I just don’t think using the Philadelphia Eagles as an example of proof of concept makes any sense when they built their entire defense through investment via the draft and building depth beyond a player or two.
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
Dude, you would never make it in talk radio.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Branch + Jamo + 2 firsts & a third amiright
Moonlight
Footballguy
A few things. Lions could have drafted Jalen Carter but I believe passed on him because of character concerns. DT was a big need. Likely he was not a culture fit to them.
Reggie White is an example of a DT being a difference maker and taking the Packer defense to the next level. But White was signed as a free agent and no draft picks were used to acquire him.
I mentioned earlier the Lions trade for Pat Swilling to boost their pass rush in the Fontes era.
Lions gave their first draft pick and change but he busted out after one good but not great year.
I’m leery of giving up 2 firsts and extra choices. You do that for a QB. Garett turns 30 this year and his prime window will close in the next few years.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
DL Cap of the SB Champs:
Having 3 high cap hit DL (Alim + MG + Hutch upcoming extension) is the exact opposite of how Howie Roseman & the Eagles did it.
Draft and develop.
- Brandon Graham: $8.1M
- Josh Sweat: $8M
- Jalen Carter: $5M
- Jordan Davis: $4.6M
- Milton Williams: $3.3M
- Nolan Smith: $2.6M
- Jalyx Hunt: $1M
- Moro Ojomo: $1M
Having 3 high cap hit DL (Alim + MG + Hutch upcoming extension) is the exact opposite of how Howie Roseman & the Eagles did it.
Draft and develop.
msudaisy26
Footballguy
It won't take that much and if the Browns demand that then Garrett will be stuck there. No one is paying that kind of a haul for a non qb, maybe not even for a qb.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Excuse me for not dropping a emoji or the sarcasm sign. I was not being serious.
You know who is being serious? Andrew Berry. Right now the official, proclaimed response from the Browns to the player who is obligated to play for them for two more years is that they are not going to be traded.
msudaisy26
Footballguy
My bad for missing the sarcasm, but this is what the Browns should do this early in the process and hope someone is dumb, but the price will come down.
If the price is a lot less than the Browns want, they have no reason to trade him. They aren't going to give him away.
msudaisy26
Footballguy
They do though, not trading a player that has been a great player for them just because they want to keep him or no one will pay an outrageous price is bad business.
Really good players won't want to sign with teams like that, Garrett will be unhappy and a declining asset that they will get less and less for. This isn't a guy complaining about money, this isn't a guy that didn't give it a good go for the Browns. They are rebuilding and he doesn't want to go through it again.
Imagine if the Lions told Stafford tough when he asked for a trade. That wouldn't have went well. The Browns are in the same situation. They are asking for this crazy return because it is so early, but if they are smart they will bring the offer down to a reasonable level and start their rebuild with a bunch of extra picks and send him where he wants to go or to one of the handful of teams he wants to go to. The Chiefs did the same with Tyreek Hill. The play for us or tough move really doesn't work for anyone. Look at Cousins and the Redskins.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Brandon Aiyuk erasure.
Moonlight
Footballguy
Browns need a QB one way or another. The Watson signing for the term and being completely guaranteed was just downright incompetent.
There very liable to screw up their handling of Garrett. One way or another Garrett should not be with the Browns next year.
ignatiusjreilly
Footballguy
How much does Holmes need to factor in the likelihood that McNeill won't be back by Week 1?
Moonlight
Footballguy
That is a definite concern not being able to start the season suggests he will have trouble with conditioning and agility.
Likely to not be at his best until the year after.
Disappointing to hear that Broderick Martin is still developmental. Lions were patient with Levi and it paid off but now are ironically in danger of losing him and to keep him may need to pay more than they would like.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Hearing he might not be back until midseason. Definitely the the biggest needs in FA is DI + OG.
Plus figure out who is going to be LCB.
I expect him to fill holes with mid-level FA & then draft without any consideration for needs. There’s a reason they don’t have a roster or depth chart in the war room.
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