Roundtable: Reviewing Lions' 2023 Free-Agency Decisions
1.) How do you feel the Lions have done in free agency so far?
Christian Booher: I think the Detroit Lions have done a good job to this point in free agency.
Signing a pair of cornerbacks in Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley gave them plenty of depth at the position, which was desperately needed. David Montgomery is an upgrade over Jamaal Williams, but will have big shoes to fill in the eyes of the fanbase.
I also think Alex Anzalone could pay big dividends by returning to Detroit. He isn't the splash signing many hoped the Lions would make, but he is coming off the best season of his career.
Vito Chirco: I feel that the Lions have done well in free agency so far.
I'm happy that Detroit general manager Brad Holmes has made a concerted effort to upgrade the team's cornerbacks room, specifically via the signings of Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley.
Also, I'm a fan of the additions of running back David Montgomery and offensive lineman Graham Glasgow.
I'm a firm believer of the fact that Montgomery is an upgrade over Jamaal Williams, and I view Glasgow, now in his second stint with the Lions, as a solid depth piece for the team's offensive line.
I commend Holmes for his efforts in free agency so far, and now I'd like to see him add a play-making linebacker and an impact player along the defensive line.
2.) What was your reaction to Jamaal Williams ending up with the Saints?
Booher: It's a bit disappointing, as he was such a fan favorite and an emotional leader in the locker room. It looked as though both parties wanted him to remain with the Lions.
The two sides couldn't come to a deal, and Detroit wasted no time bringing in his replacement. I'm a big fan of David Montgomery, and think he brings more of the elusiveness that Dan Campbell was looking for out of his running backs last season.
Chirco: Initially, I was sad to see him go, knowing how big of a fan favorite he became for Lions fans this past season.
However, I also realize that it's going to be very unlikely that Williams repeats the season he just had. If I were a betting man, I'd put my money on the fact that he won't rush for 17 touchdowns again. And, I'm also willing to predict that he'll rush for under 1,000 yards.
With all that said, I also believe that Detroit replaced Williams with a better back in Montgomery. I'm of the belief that Montgomery is more capable of handling the duties of a No. 1 back, and so I'm not that disappointed in seeing Williams go and join the Saints.
3.) Who was your favorite Lions free-agent signing?
Booher: I'm going with Sutton. He has the inside-outside versatility at cornerback that allows him to play wherever Detroit needs him.
Sutton is set to play a massive role in Detroit's defense right away. The Lions can still add a rookie cornerback in the draft, but the presence of the veteran allows them to ease whatever young players they add at the position into playing time.
Chirco: I'm going to go with Sutton. The Lions direly needed to add a No. 1 cornerback to their defensive backs room this offseason, and did just that by acquiring Sutton.
Over the past two seasons, the former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back has been one of only five NFL cornerbacks to produce a total of at least 20 passes defensed, five interceptions and five tackles for loss.
Additionally, a season ago, he gave up the fifth-lowest opponent passer rating (69.6) among starting cornerbacks.
Undoubtedly, Holmes filled a huge void in the secondary via the acquisition of Sutton.
Cam Sutton, Detroit Lions corner
Jim Dedmon, USA TODAY Sports
4.) Which free agent that signed elsewhere do you wish signed in Detroit?
Booher: I still would've liked Detroit to make a splash at linebacker. With such a deep pool of talent, I think Holmes should have made a move for a player like Tremaine Edmunds.
I believe Edmunds would've been a perfect fit in the Lions' defense. Lavonte David is another player who could've been good in Aaron Glenn's scheme.
Chirco: I'm going to go with linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, especially because he signed with the divisional rival Bears.
I view the signing as an ultra impactful one for the Bears, which have put together a solid offseason so far.
Edmunds, who will be just 25 years old this season, would have fit in real nice in Detroit. The former Bills linebacker is coming off a season in which he recorded 102 total tackles, plus seven passes defensed and an interception.
To me, the Lions really missed out on Edmunds, a player that would've clearly upgraded their linebackers corps.
5.) What grade would you give Brad Holmes for this free-agency period so far?
Booher: I'd give it a solid "B+." I can't give him a straight "A" because he didn't bring in an established star. Yet, he was measured and collected with his spending, not dishing out millions by the hour like other teams did last week.
The Lions addressed needs and brought back other players who wanted to be in Detroit. All in all, it was a solid showing by Holmes in the first week of free agency.
Chirco: As I said above, I really like what Holmes has done to upgrade the Lions' cornerbacks group. Additionally, I'm also a fan of the signings of Montgomery and Glasgow.
However, I'd also like to see the third-year Detroit general manager get some help along the defensive line and add an impact linebacker. So, he's still got some unfinished business to take care of (which he might wait to take care of in this April's NFL Draft).
Subsequently, at this present juncture, I'm willing to give Holmes a solid "B" for his work in free agency.
