Detroit Lions: Free Agency Grades

The Detroit Lions are coming off their best regular season in franchise history. The team went 15-2, and finished as the No. 1 seed in the NFC. However, the season was shrouded in disappointment after the team lost their first playoff game. The free agency strategy of the Lions was evident, especially when the team is as talented as it is. The team was looking to retain talent and culture fits while replacing departures with talented players. In this piece, we’ll dive into the early free agency acquisitions of the Lions, and give our grades.

Detroit Lions Free Agency Additions

DJ Reed, CB

DJ Reed was one of the best value signings of the offseason, and he will continue to bolster an improving Lions secondary. After the Lions lost star cornerback Carlton Davis to the Patriots, they went out and grabbed Reed from the Jets for a bargain contract. They replaced Davis’ production with Reed, who was nearly as productive as Davis last season. DJ Reed signed with the Lions on a three-year, $48 million contract with $32 million guaranteed. 

Reed played nearly all of his snaps at outside cornerback, where he allowed a 91.7 passer rating. On 60 targets, Reed only allowed 35 catches for just 431 yards. Reed is precisely what the Lions needed to add to their secondary to continue their run of excellence they showed last year. Reed should allow the Lions to create a formidable secondary that teams should be afraid to pass against. 

Grade: A+

Roy Lopez, NT

Roy Lopez is entering his fifth year in the NFL. The Lions signed him to a one-year, $4.5 million contract. Lopez was brought in as a nose tackle who has been with the Cardinals for the past two seasons. After all of the injuries the Lions suffered on the defensive side of the ball, there can be no shortage of depth on the defensive line, and Lopez will undoubtedly add to it. 

Lopez specialized as a run-stopping defensive tackle last season and has limited upside as a pass-rusher. As a rotational defensive lineman, Lopez will provide a lot of value for the Lions on early downs, especially in running situations. While he likely can’t be a starting caliber nose tackle, he should excel in the rotational role the Lions will have him in. And, on just a one-year deal, there is minimal risk.

Grade: B

Grant Stuard, LB

Grant Stuard is a linebacker who last played for the Colts, and is being brought in on a one-year deal. Stuard mostly played special teams for the Colts, and with some departures the Lions need some special teams depth.

In his limited snaps on defense, he did play well for the Colts, posting a 69.4 PFF grade in over 200 snaps. Stuard should add strong depth to a very good linebacker room, while being a critical piece for the team on special teams. 

Grade: C

Kyle Allen, QB

Kyle Allen is being brought in on a one-year deal to act as Jared Goff’s backup for the season. Allen last started games in the NFL in 2022, where he started two games for the Texans throwing for 400 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions.

He has been in the NFL for seven seasons, and has acted primarily as a solid backup for most of his career. Allen should be guaranteed to make the roster out of training camp.

Grade: C-

Avonte Maddox, CB

Maddox was signed to a one-year contract. The cornerback has injury concerns, and is turning 29 this year. He played in every game last season, however, and performed admirably. With that in mind, he could be added versatile depth in the secondary.

Grade: C

Key Players Retained By The Lions

Derrick Barnes

Derrick Barnes was brought back on a three-year. $25.5 million deal with $16 million guaranteed. Barnes was having a breakout season before he tore his ACL, and he will look to continue his progression as one of the better linebackers in the NFL next season on a new deal with the Lions.

Grade: A

Marcus Davenport

Marcus Davenport was brought back on a one-year, $4.75 million deal. Davenport was solid in his limited time last season before suffering a season-ending torn triceps. If Davenport can stay healthy, he will be able to provide production opposite of Aidan Hutchinson. 

Grade: B

Levi Onwuzirike, DE

After struggling with injuries for most of his first three seasons in the NFL, Onwuzirike finally broke out in a big way last season. Yet due to injury concerns, the Lions were able to bring him back on a bargain one-year, $5.5 million deal. Onwuzrike will provide a steady depth and pass rush presence for a team that desperately needs defensive line depth.

Grade: A+

Dan Skipper, OL

Fan favorite offensive lineman Dan Skipper was brought back on a one-year deal. Skipper is the team’s third offensive tackle, and he is often brought on the field in jumbo sets with six offensive linemen. Skipper is a vital locker room presence for the team.

Grade: B+

Craig Reynolds, RB

Craig Reynolds was brought back on a one-year deal. While Reynolds is often the third or fourth running back on the depth chart, he is arguably the team’s most crucial locker room guy. The team couldn’t afford to let him walk, and they were able to bring him back for one more season.

Grade: A

Anthony Pittman, LB

Pittman is a depth piece that has been around multiple teams, and is quite familiar with the Lions. He is an added depth piece on the team.

Grade: C

Ezekiel Turner, LB

The Lions bring Turner back on a one-year extension. Turner is a special teams ace, but also performed on the field for Detroit last season in what was a decimated defense. Turner brings depth at the position and an solid performer on special teams.

Grade: C+

Myles Adams, DE

The Lions bring back Adams in free agency, who also returns on a one-year deal. Adams found a spot in a decimated Detroit line last season. In four games, he had 1.0 sacks and four tackles. Another year in the system helps both himself an the team.

Grade: C+

Trevor Nowaske, LB

Nowaske returns to Detroit, yet the terms of the deal at the time of writing have not yet been disclosed. The linebacker appeared in 13 games last season and logged a career-high in tackles with 19. He also had two sacks and an interception. Nowaske turns 27 this year, so pending the contract, this is a solid return for both sides.

Grade: C+

Tim Patrick, WR

Tim Patrick returns to the Lions to an undisclosed contract. After missing the 2022 and 2023 seasons due to injury, Patrick performed admirably with Detroit. He secured 33 catches for 394 yards and three touchdowns. Prior to the injuries, Patrick was a solid contributor for the Denver Broncos. If he can continue to defy the odds and perform well within the rotation, this is a great signing for Detroit.

Grade: B

Other Notable Signings

• Kenny Yeboah, TE
• Shane Zylstra, TE
• Pat O’Connor, DE
• Al-Quadin Muhammad, DL
• Rock Ya-Sin, DB

Detroit Lions Free Agency Review

The lack of blockbuster moves in free agency shows how far the team has come and how strong the Lions roster has become. The team has drafted and developed well enough to be in a position where they don’t need to spend too much on free agency. They can instead spend on depth pieces and fill holes as needed, while saving the bulk of their money on extending the in-house talent they have drafted and developed. While the Lions didn’t make too many ground-breaking moves, they still managed to get better without spending too much money.

Grade: B+