10 Offensive Free Agents Lions Should Sign in 2024
With the start of NFL free agency just days away, the Detroit Lions are evaluating the immediate future of their organization.
General manager Brad Holmes faces many tough decisions, as the Lions look to capitalize on the momentum they generated by reaching the NFC title game. Armed with plenty of cap space, Detroit can continue to build its roster with hopes of reaching the Super Bowl.
Here are 10 offensive players who the Lions should consider signing when free agency officially opens on March 13.
OG/OT Mike Onwenu
Onwenu played both guard and tackle for the Patriots in 2023, showcasing a level of versatility that is coveted. Given the nature of the physicality that linemen deal with on a weekly basis, the ability to play multiple spots and shift around is important.
The Michigan product will be among the most coveted linemen on the market, but Detroit could stand to make a splash if it elects not to retain one or both of its starting guards set to hit free agency.
WR Gabe Davis
Davis has long speed and the ability to gash a defense. Though inconsistent at times, Davis has proven to be a solid contributor for the Bills' passing attack, with 2,730 yards over his first four NFL seasons.
While the Lions have key players at the position in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, Davis would provide the team with a big-bodied wideout who would add another downfield threat for Jared Goff.
OG Damien Lewis
Lewis is another lineman set to hit the market after four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. He had an up-and-down 2023 season, allowing 29 pressures on 610 pass-blocking snaps and finishing with a 57.9 Pro Football Focus run-blocking grade.
He will have suitors in free agency, given the strong start to his career. Lewis allowed three sacks last season, and missed just one game for Seattle last year. He's been durable throughout the early stage of his career, and would provide Detroit with another veteran presence.
TE Adam Trautman
While the Lions are set with second-team All-Pro selection Sam LaPorta, the team will need to have good depth behind him. Brock Wright was tendered as a restricted free agent, but Detroit values competition at all positions.
Enter Trautman, who specializes as a run-blocker with the ability to make an impact in the passing game. While he's contributed on a secondary basis as a pass-catcher, Trautman's value would come with his ability to help pave lanes for the likes of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
OG/C Evan Brown
Should Detroit want to follow in last year's footsteps and reunite with an offensive lineman of years past, Brown could be a good fit. Brown signed with the Seahawks to be their center, but could be passed on the depth chart by 2023 draft pick Olu Oluwatimi.
Brown has that interior versatility that the Lions like, as he can play either guard spot, as well as center. He'd be a familiar face for the organization, and could have an impact similar to what Graham Glasgow did last season for Detroit.
TE Mike Gesicki
Whereas Trautman provides more pop as a blocker, Gesicki is a chess piece that can be moved around on offense. He can play in-line as well as in the slot, which would create tough matchups for opposing defenses.
Gesicki had back-to-back 700-yard seasons with the Dolphins in 2020-21, but his production has tailed off in recent years. He struggled as a run-blocker in 2023, with a PFF grade of just 35.1 in that area. As a result, he'd likely be more impactful in the passing game next to LaPorta.
OT Josh Jones
A third-round pick in 2023, Jones spent last season with the Houston Texans, after being dealt by the Arizona Cardinals. The blocker was going to be a depth piece for Arizona, before stepping in with the Texans.
He was unable to keep the reins on the job in Houston, though, as he served primarily as depth. With the Lions set to retain both starters at the tackle position in Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker, Jones could provide valuable depth at those positions.
WR Noah Brown
Brown is a physical, "X"-type receiver, capable of winning contested catches. He showed a good rapport with Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud -- before suffering an injury -- notching a second straight season with over 500 receiving yards.
That physicality at the wide receiver position is something the Lions would benefit from adding. Given that this year also has a strong draft class, Detroit could make a smaller move with a less highly coveted player, rather than shell out a big contract with so many talented young players available in the draft.
RB Ty Johnson
Detroit has two solid running backs in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. While both have very strong holds on the top two spots, there could be a battle to be the team's third option.
Craig Reynolds is the incumbent, but the Lions could seek out a competitive veteran, such as Johnson, a former Lions running back. He's played on three teams, and has totaled 1,057 yards over five seasons.
QB Brandon Allen
The Lions have yet to get a legitimate evaluation of young quarterback Hendon Hooker, who spent most of the year on the NFI list before being activated to the roster late in the season.
If Detroit wants to add competition at the backup spot behind Jared Goff, adding a veteran like Allen, who has been a part of three teams which have reached the Super Bowl, would further add a winning pedigree to the quarterbacks room.
