Grading Lions' Start to Free Agency
Defense. Defense. Defense.
That's been the Lions’ philosophy so far through the beginning of the NFL's free-agency period.
Detroit general manager Brad Holmes entered the offseason with several major needs across the defensive side of the ball.
It was a given that he needed to upgrade the team's cornerbacks room, plus add multiple impact players along the defensive line. And Holmes, the 2023 Pro Football Writers of America's Executive of the Year, has done just that since the opening of free agency on Wednesday.
Holmes and the Lions started making noise early Monday evening – Monday was the first day of the NFL's legal tampering period – when they inked veteran EDGE Marcus Davenport to a one-year deal. They soon followed that up by acquiring veteran cornerback Carlton Davis III in a trade with the Buccaneers.
While neither of those moves are of the difference-making variety, they still aid Detroit at two major positions of need: EDGE and cornerback.
Additionally, if Davenport is healthy (he played just four games a season ago with the Vikings), he has the potential to form a very solid EDGE-rushing duo with Pro Bowler Aidan Hutchinson.
Meanwhile, Davis, a Super Bowl champion with Tampa Bay, possesses the necessary intangibles to be a solid man coverage corner in the Lions’ secondary. At this present juncture, he's likely a step ahead of Cam Sutton for the No. 1 cornerback job, although, based on his track record, he's best suited to be an NFL team's No. 2 corner.
Detroit gave up its second of two third-round picks in this April's draft (No. 92 overall) to land Davis, who has one year remaining on a three-year, $44.5 million contract he signed with Tampa Bay in March 2022. He's set to earn a base salary of $14 million in 2024.
The Lions added additional help to their cornerbacks group on Tuesday in the form of Amik Robertson. They inked the former Las Vegas Raiders defensive back to a two-year deal worth $9.25 million, including $4.5 million in total guarantees. While not a game-changing player, Robertson has the ability to play both on the perimeter and in the slot. Subsequently, he should be able to provide some valuable depth to Detroit's much-maligned secondary.
Holmes saved his best move of the week for Thursday, agreeing to terms on a two-year, $27.25 million contract with defensive lineman D.J. Reader. The 6-foot-3, 335-pound tackle will certainly boost the Lions’ run-stopping efforts, and should provide Alim McNeill with a reliable running mate along the interior of the defensive line.
Reader is also an adept pass-rusher, having recorded Pro Football Focus pass-rushing grades of 84.3 and 79.1 in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Additionally, for his efforts in ‘23, he earned a PFF overall mark of 82.2.
Whether through free agency or the draft, Holmes could still stand to add a more capable No. 1 corner than Davis and another EDGE rusher to supplement the production of the oft-injured Davenport.
Holmes also still has work to do on the offensive side of the ball.
He managed to re-sign veteran offensive lineman Graham Glasgow, but lost Jonah Jackson – Detroit's starting left guard last year – in free agency to the L.A. Rams. Undoubtedly, Holmes & Co. will need to find a way to fill that void this offseason.
Additionally, it's rather apparent that the Lions could use wide receiver help. I could see Josh Reynolds, a favorite target of Jared Goff, being re-signed. But, even if such occurs, I believe Detroit will still need to add a No. 2-or-No. 3-caliber receiver, via either free agency or the draft.
Thus, Holmes’ work this offseason is hardly done. However, he's off to a solid start.
For his efforts so far, I'll give him a “B+” grade.
