ALLEN PARK, Mich. – As the legal tampering period begins within the NFL on Monday and teams can finally start to make more concrete plans to be on their roster, the turnover churn that will be the Detroit Lions can take some shape.
The Lions are not expected to be massive players in free agency due to a multitude of factors, including cap space, the reality of a rebuild and new general manager Brad Holmes’ stated plan he would prefer to build within the draft.
But Detroit does need players – the team, in reality, has either starting or depth questions at every position other than punter – and some of those solves will come from free agency. The Lions’ own free agents may take up some of those moves, as the team has already re-signed cornerback Michael Ford, and they’ve been active in the cut-player market, signing receiver Tyrell Williams.
Who else might Detroit look at beyond some of the other players covered in looking at internal free agents? Don’t be surprised if the Lions look toward New Orleans and Los Angeles. Familiarity -- Holmes has it with the Rams, offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn with the Chargers and head coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn with the Saints -- has a way of pushing things in one direction.
“If I’m being completely transparent with you, I think, yeah, that’s a pretty accurate assessment or something I would say would be pretty much in line,” Campbell said. “But that doesn’t mean that we’re going to have all players from New Orleans here. Now, does that mean that if there’s some players from New Orleans, yeah, because I know who they are.
“And Brad and I talk about this all the time, it’s not even so much what you think they can do, it’s you know what their downside is. That’s different than anything else, in free agency, you don’t always know what all the warts are. You do when you’ve been with these guys and sometimes, you’re harder on your own guys when you’re around them longer.”
With that in mind, here are some players to consider for Detroit this week -- and understand the Lions surely won’t sign all of them. This isn’t a complete list, either. Just some thoughts on ways the Lions could go. Because even if they continue to roster churn, they won’t have the cap space to do all of it.
Safety John Johnson III, Los Angeles Rams: The Lions were not helped out here by New Orleans’ decision to franchise tag Marcus Williams and the Jets franchising Marcus Maye. It makes Johnson the best safety on the market and might drive his price up. But at age 25 he’s already played four seasons, started 48 games, made eight interceptions and defended 32 passes. He’d pair well with Tracy Walker and could solidify a young, but potential-heavy secondary. Holmes is familiar with him, as is defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant, who helped turn him into a player who is about to get paid. If there is a high-profile free agent Detroit might go after, Johnson would be a guy to watch.
Defensive end Trey Hendrickson, New Orleans Saints: If the Lions decide they need to bolster their pass rush -- they do -- and they don’t end up re-signing Romeo Okwara, Hendrickson might be a player to look at if they choose to spend. He had a breakout season in 2020 with 13.5 sacks and considering the familiarity with Glenn and Campbell, they would know better than most if they believe he is a foundational piece. At age 26, if Detroit were to sign him, it would be as a player to build around along with Trey Flowers on the line. There also would be little question whether or not he’d fit into the scheme since Glenn knows what he’s getting there.
Receiver: Instead of listing just one -- and Corey Davis would be the high-end player we’d list -- the reality is the Lions are remaking the room. They already signed Williams to a one-year deal and it’s very possible they take a receiver at No. 7 or somewhere in the first two days of the draft. Davis, at age 26, had his best season last year with 65 catches for 984 yards and five touchdowns in a run-heavy Tennessee scheme. Will Fuller would be interesting, but his health would be a major concern as he hasn’t played more than 11 games in a season since his rookie year. Curtis Samuel is a do-everything player who would fit well and is a player who Detroit could build around at age 25 and would be cheaper than another 25-year-old, JuJu Smith-Schuster, but both might end up costing too much. Another player who might get consideration -- again, cost could be an issue -- is Sammy Watkins. The Rams' portion of the Lions' staff would be familiar with him from the 2017 season and he’s shown to be a good No. 2 option the past four years in Los Angeles and Kansas City. Plus, with health being a factor, perhaps the Lions can give him a prove-it type of deal.
If the Lions choose to go cheaper to add some depth with potential, Josh Reynolds would be a name to watch. He’s just 26, Holmes knows him well and he is a player who could slide into multiple roles as whatever draft pick is taken develops. John Ross -- with a legitimate injury question -- could be worth a flier, too. Breshad Perriman, the son of former Lions receiver Brett Perriman, could also be someone to watch.
Detroit is certainly going to need a veteran at some point and there are some intriguing options with familiarity. Emmanuel Sanders and Willie Snead IV are both players Campbell knows that could provide locker room presence and if the Lions wanted to take a deep chance -- kind of like Detroit did with Lance Moore and Jermaine Kearse in prior years -- Tavon Austin has the connection to Holmes.
It’s a position that’s in flux and the Lions could go many, many ways here.
Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: This might be more fan-service than anything else, but the Lions need interior linemen and while Suh isn’t the player he once was, he can provide veteran presence. Plus, Campbell said the franchise might end up with “gritty, salty guys that know how to compete” and anyone who has seen Suh play knows that’s him. Would he consider a return to Detroit to finish out his career? It’d be a good storyline at least.
Linebacker Samson Ebukam, Los Angeles Rams: Ebukam is a guy who has played inside and outside with the Rams and was a good find by Holmes in the college scouting process. He won’t wow you as a pass rusher but he’s pretty good in coverage and won’t cost a ton of money, which is important considering cap constraints. Turning 26 years old, he’s a player the Lions could roll with as they decide whether or not to build around him.
Running back: Usually signing a running back on a second contract is not a great idea, but the Lions do need a potential complement to D’Andre Swift and it’s not clear Kerryon Johnson is it. Grouping them all together here because there are, like the receivers, many ways to go. If the Lions went the veteran option, Malcolm Brown and Mike Davis would be sensible and in the right price range. Plus, all have worked as complementary options in the past. If Detroit wants to make a little more of a splash, seeing if they could get Marlon Mack on a prove-it deal could be a way to go. Or give a little more money and investment into Jamaal Williams, who showed to be a capable balance to Aaron Jones in Green Bay and at age 26 should have a lot of time left on his legs.