A look at the Detroit Lions’ six biggest needs as they head into 2025 NFL free agency.
Happy NFL free agency tampering day! It’s going to be a Monday filled with NFL news from start to finish when teams are allowed to negotiate with agents of players on expiring contracts and come to an agreement on new terms in a new city.
While the Detroit Lions typically take a conservative approach to free agency—and that may be especially true when the team is already so stacked—there will certainly be moves to cover in the next 72 hours.
But before we jump to the moves they’ll make, let’s reassess the Lions’ roster by looking at the team’s top six needs, ranked in order of need.
Pass-rushing EDGE
Under contract: Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport (re-signing
), Josh Paschal, Isaac Ukwu, Nate Lynn
Free agents: Za’Darius Smith (being released
), John Cominsky, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Mitchell Agude (ERFA), Jonah Williams
The Lions’ top three edge defenders are fine with Hutchinson, Davenport, and Paschal. However, each have significant questions. How will Hutchinson look after breaking two bones in his leg? Will Davenport be able to stay healthy for a year after playing in just six of 34 games the last two seasons? Can Paschal continue his development and add some pass rush to his game?
Detroit could certainly use some pass rushing skills in the room, and while adding in the NFL Draft is a possibility, Detroit needs to do some of the work in free agency to ensure they aren’t pigeonholed into a specific position come draft day.
Defensive tackle
Under contract: Alim McNeill, DJ Reader, Mekhi Wingo, Brodric Martin, Chris Smith
Free agents: Levi Onwuzurike, Pat O’Connor, Kyle Peko, Myles Adams (RFA)
It’s unclear if McNeill will be ready for the start of the season, Reader is entering the final year of his deal, and Wingo/Martin/Smith are all young players with relatively no experience. Even if the Lions re-sign Onwuzurike—who is expected to command at least $10 million a year—Detroit would be wise to add a couple players to this room to cement some depth and ensure their run defense doesn’t slip (while ideally adding some pass rush, too).
Cornerback
Under contract: Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, Ennis Rakestraw, Stantley Thomas-Oliver
Free agents: Carlton Davis, Kindle Vildor, Khalil Dorsey, Emmanuel Moseley
With negotiations not looking great with Davis , the Lions need to prioritize finding some startable cornerback depth. Arnold, Robertson, and Rakestraw could theoretically be Detroit’s starting cornerbacks for 2025, but given all of the injuries the Lions have endured at that position, they absolutely need depth and competition at the position. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the position Detroit opts to splurge at because the room, as it currently stands, is young and questionable.
Guard
Under contract: Graham Glasgow, Christian Mahogany, Kingsley Eguakun, Netane Muti
Free agents: Kevin Zeitler, Michael Niese (ERFA), Kayode Awosika (RFA)
The Lions could get by with just re-signing Zeitler and bringing back both reserve free agents (Niese, Awosika). That would be an extremely solid way to fortify the position for 2025. However, with Glasgow and Zeitler both nearing the ends of their respective careers, Detroit should consider drafting another player at this position either this year or next.
Wide receiver
Under contract: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond, Antoine Green, Tom Kennedy, Ronnie Bell
Free agents: Tim Patrick, Allen Robinson, Donovan Peoples-Jones
This is another position where Detroit could just opt to re-sign Tim Patrick and call it a day. But much like guard, this is a position that requires some future consideration beyond 2025. Jameson Williams’ rookie deal ends in 2025 (although the Lions will likely extend it to 2026 with a fifth-year option), and Detroit could look for a more long-term option at WR-X in the draft. But free agency doesn’t need to be splashy here.
Safety
Under contract: Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Morice Norris, Loren Strickland, Erick Hallett
Free agents: Ifeatu Melifonwu
You can tell the Lions’ roster is relatively strong when the sixth need listed is a bit of a stretch. Detroit has their two starters and some young depth signed for the season, but with Melifonwu potentially leaving, Detroit could use an experienced, versatile defensive back who can be used as a subpackage, matchup piece. Additionally, it’s unclear if the Lions will be able to keep both Branch (contract expires after 2026) and Joseph (2025) beyond their rookie deals, because both will be costly.