A look at the best remaining free agents available that the Detroit Lions should consider.
Free agency may not officially start until Wednesday, but the league wasted no time once the tampering window began. While the day was flooded with new deals and trades, the Detroit Lions only made two moves: agreeing to terms with cornerback D.J. Reed and re-signing tackle Dan Skipper .
While many of the top free agents for 2025 have already lined up deals with many teams, there are still many players that would fit nicely in Detroit’s scheme that are still waiting to sign with someone.
Here are a few players that might interest the Lions on the second unofficial day of free agency:
EDGE Matthew Judon, Atlanta Falcons
2024 stats: 17 games (15 starts), 41 tackles, 7 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 9 QBH, 1 INT, 1 TD, 5 PD
Even with the re-signing of Marcus Davenport, the Lions still are in need of a premier pass rusher to line up opposite of Aidan Hutchinson. Judon, a Detroit-area native who played for West Bloomfield High School and Grand Valley, is 32 years old and likely looking for a place he can sign with to finish out his career. Why not sign a deal with the hometown team?
Judon has played as a 3-4 outside linebacker throughout his nine-year NFL career, but don’t think that means he can’t fit into Detroit’s defense. He can still be useful on the Lions’ four-man front as a stand-up pass rusher. He also could fill in at the SAM linebacker role that has been played by the likes of Derrick Barnes, or a pass rushing role like James Houston in the past.brandon sc mmm
The Lions could swing Judon for a short-term deal worth around $4 million per year given his age and likely rotational role he would play in Detroit.
G Brandon Scherff, Jacksonville Jaguars
2024 stats: 17 games (17 starts), 0 sacks allowed, 2 penalties
While 2024 rookie Christian Mahogany performed well enough to inspire some confidence at the end of the season, the Lions should still consider giving the sixth-round pick another year to develop and go after a veteran guard in free agency on a one-year deal. Brandon Scherff, a former All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler, would fit that bill.
The Lions should pursue Scherff similar to how they signed Kevin Zeitler on a one-year deal a year ago. Scherff is a career right guard who would bring extra veteran leadership onto the already talented offensive line in Detroit. With Zeitler hitting free agency, this would be a perfect opportunity for Scherff to come in and take over that starting guard role while Mahogany goes through his first healthy NFL preseason.
A one-year deal worth up to $7 million would be the ideal number for Detroit to offer.
WR Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks
2024 stats: 17 games (14 starts), 49 receptions (74 targets), 600 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns
The Lions already have Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, but it couldn’t hurt for them to add one more weapon to their receiving corps. Lockett was recently released by Seattle and is looking to continue his role as one of the better wideouts in the NFL with another team.
Signing Lockett would help Jared Goff not only be able to spread the ball out more, but also make things more difficult for opposing defenses. They’ll already have their hands full with the team’s top two receivers as well as Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs. Adding a deep-threat wide receiver into that mix benefits everybody on offense.
Lockett’s price tag will be lofty. Detroit would probably need to commit to a multi-year deal of at least $8 million per year.
S Justin Reid, Kansas City Chiefs
2024 stats: 16 games (16 starts), 87 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 QBH, 2 INT, 9 PD
The Lions have two elite safeties rostered currently in Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. Signing Reid would allow Branch to shift back into the nickel role and give Detroit two ballhawk safeties deep in the secondary.
Reid is only 28 years old and has found plenty of success while with Kansas City over the past three seasons. That kind of experience would be valuable to add to Detroit’s young defense.
Reid is the best remaining safety on the market and will command a high asking price from interested teams. Given his recent successes, he would likely require a multi-year deal with an average salary of over $14 million.
DL Dre’Mont Jones, Seattle Seahawks
2024 stats: 17 games (7 starts), 28 tackles, 7 TFL, 4.0 sacks, 9 QBH, 1 FF, 1 PD, 1 safety
With the Lions potentially losing Levi Onwuzurike in free agency, they will need to find a replacement pass-rushing defensive tackle. Dre’Mont Jones has excelled in that role with the Seahawks , primarily playing as a 3T in their modified 3-4 defense.
At 6-foot-3 and 281 pounds, Jones uses pure size and strength to bully offensive linemen and rush opposing quarterbacks. Pair him with a healthy Alim McNeill and DJ Reader, and all of a sudden Detroit’s defensive line seems unstoppable.
Jones is coming off a three-year, $51 million deal with the Seahawks and that price is only going to go up on his next contract. This would be a big signing for the Lions but it would dramatically improve their pass rush, making it worth the steep cost. Jones would probably be asking for a two or three year deal worth up to $20 million per year.
Here are some of the other top free agents by position:
QB: Trey Lance, Jacoby Brissett, Taylor Heinicke
RB: Raheem Mostert, Jamaal Williams, Gus Edwards
WR: Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper
TE: Evan Engram, Tyler Conklin, Juwan Johnson
OT: Cam Robinson, Joseph Noteboom, Tyron Smith
IOL: Will Hernandez, Nate Herbig, Coleman Shelton
IDL: Raekwon Davis, Austin Johnson, Greg Gaines
EDGE: Joey Bosa, Von Miller, DeMarcus Lawrence
LB: Tyrel Dodson, Willie Gay, Eric Kendricks
CB: Jonathan Jones, Jeff Okudah, Kendall Fuller
S: Justin Simmons, Marcus Epps, Rayshawn Jenkins