Lions' 2024 Free Agents, Targets and Draft Needs After NFL Playoff Loss
The Detroit Lions were an NFL darling in 2023, reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and winning their first division title since 1993. In the wild-card round, the Lions notched their first playoff win since 1991.
A second postseason victory put Detroit in the NFC Championship Game. Unfortunately, the Lions blew a 17-point halftime lead and suffered a 34-31 loss on Sunday to end their season.
Thanks to the mostly steady play of quarterback Jared Goff, the rise of rookie standouts like Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta and Jack Campbell, an improved defense and the infectious drive of head coach Dan Campbell, Detroit emerged as a force in the NFC this season.
However, the Lions' thrilling 2023 run has come to an end, which means it's time for Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes to start eyeing the 2024 offseason.
The good news is that this might simply be the beginning of a long run by the Lions. However, there's work to be done, as Detroit must address lingering needs, make tough decisions on impending free agents and evaluate a very impressive 2024 draft class.
Let's take an early look at what's ahead for the Lions in the upcoming offseason.
Free Agents
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Unrestricted Free Agents
QB Teddy Bridgewater
FB Jason Cabinda
DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson
G Graham Glasgow
DE Charles Harris
S Will Harris
G Halapoulivaati Vaitai
G Jonah Jackson
CB Emmanuel Moseley
OT Matt Nelson
LB Julian Okwara
DE Romeo Okwara
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
RB Craig Reynolds
WR Josh Reynolds
QB Nate Sudfeld
Restricted/Exclusive-Rights Free Agents
LB Scott Daly
CB Khalil Dorsey
LB James Houston
CB Jerry Jacobs
DT Benito Jones
LB Anthony Pittman
TE Brock Wright
TE Shane Zylstra
Fortunately, the Lions don't have a ton of centerpiece players slated to become unrestricted free agents this offseason. Arguably the most important players to re-sign will be starting guard Jonah Jackson and wide receiver Josh Reynolds.
It wouldn't be a surprise to see Holmes value special teams standout Jalen Reeves-Maybin highly either.
Graham Glasgow, who returned to Detroit in 2023, could also be near the top of the Lions' must-retain list. Guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai has also been an important piece over the last few years, but he's also landed in injured reserve in each of the past two seasons.
Retaining Vaitai might not be a priority for Holmes, but re-signing C.J. Gardner-Johnson should be. The Lions only got a limited look at Johnson because of a torn pectoral, but he remains one of the most versatile defensive backs in the league when healthy.
It'll be interesting to see if Detroit retains wideout Donovan Peoples-Jones, on whom the team took a flier at the trade deadline. It'll also be interesting to see how the Lions replace veteran backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who is eyeing retirement.
The Lions have $57.5 million in projected 2024 cap space, so expect them to make a strong push to retain their own before diving heavily into the open market.
Potential Free-Agent/Trade Targets
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When it comes to the free-agent and trade markets, defenders should be at the top of Detroit's wish list. While that side of the ball did see improvement over the 2022 season, the defense started to show cracks over the second half of the regular season—specifically against the pass.
With a young and talented front seven, Detroit was often difficult to run against. However, the team's secondary depth left something to be desired.
Plucking standout cornerback Jaylon Johnson away from the rival Chicago Bears would be a coup for Holmes, and the 24-year-old playmaker (four INTs in 2023) should be one of Detroit's top targets.
Chidobe Awuzie, C.J. Henderson, Eli Apple and safety/corner Jeremy Chinn could also garner serious consideration from Detroit.
While it's hard to pinpoint potential trade targets this early in the offseason, Asante Samuel Jr. could be a name to watch. He'll be entering the final year of his rookie deal, and the Los Angeles Chargers are projected to be $37.9 million over the 2024 cap.
It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Lions look for a pass-rushing upgrade over impending free agents Charles Harris and Romeo Okwara. However, with Aidan Hutchinson and restricted free agent James Houston (likely) in the fold, big names like Josh Allen and Danielle Hunter might not draw heavy interest.
For Detroit, a complementary pass-rusher like Leonard Floyd or Denico Autry might make more sense.
L.A.'s Khalil Mack and Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals are two potential trade targets Detroit might consider. The Chargers are in a tough financial spot, and the Bengals may look to free up salary to resign Tee Higgins and extend Ja'Marr Chase in the offseason.
Jacoby Brissett, Drew Lock and Tyrod Taylor should top Detroit's wish list at quarterback, if the Lions aren't sold on Hendon Hooker as their backup. Like Bridgewater, these are players who can start in a pinch but who aren't likely to command large quarterback contracts.
Kicker should also be a priority after shuffling between Michael Badgley and Riley Patterson. Greg Zuerlein, Will Lutz and Ka'imi Fairbairn top the 2024 free-agent market.
Draft Targets
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While the Lions will likely look to augment their playoff window in free agency, the draft is where they'll continue building for the future. Players like Gibbs, Hutchinson, LaPorta and Amon-Ra St. Brown give Detroit a tremendous young corps, and new additions can be added in April.
Assuming the Lions keep their talented offensive line intact, defense should again be a priority.
This is where the Lions might take a big swing at a pass-rusher—if they don't trade for one first. A prospect like Washington's Bralen Trice or Utah's Jonah Elliss would quickly become a defensive asset opposite Hutchinson.
Cornerback is also a position of need, but Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry and Ohio State's Denzel Burke were the only corners ranked inside the top 32 prospects by the Bleacher Report Scouting Department—and Burke is returning to the Buckeyes for another season. Given their spot in the draft order, the Lions might have to trade up for a prospect like McKinstry—though it would make sense.
"A versatile defender, McKinstry has the skill set to play in multiple schemes in the NFL," Cory Giddings of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "One of the top cornerbacks coming out of high school, he has continued that trajectory once given the opportunity at Alabama."
Potential Day-2 corners like Oregon's Khyree Jackson and Iowa State's T.J. Tampa should also be on Detroit's radar.
Expect the Lions to look to bolster depth along their offensive and defensive lines, which makes prospects like Oregon defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus and Michigan guard Zack Zinter worth watching if they're available on Day 2. Adding a safety like Utah's Cole Bishop or Kansas' Kenny Logan Jr. to the back-end rotation could also make sense.
It won't be a total surprise to see Holmes take a flier on a kicker like Alabama's Will Reichard or Stanford's Joshua Karty on Day 3 either. Detroit currently holds seven 2024 selections, including two third-rounders and one each in the first, second, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.
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