Are The Detroit Lions Better After Initial Wave of Free Agency?
- DB Keener
- 5 hours ago
- 10 min read
As the first wave of the 2026 Free Agency period winds down, and teams continue to bargain hunt while preparing for the draft, I thought it would be a good idea to take a look at the Lions roster as it sits now vs where it was at the end of the 2025 season. This piece focuses on player movement but also takes into account some ancillary changes (coaches, certain players, unit changes, etc.) that have also occurred since the 2025 season ended. Each position group below is broken down by the current roster (as of 3/24/26), additions/retentions, losses, and analysis of the position group and my interpretation fo whether the group is better or worse off that it was at season end.
Let's look at all of the positional groups starting with Offense and see how they stack up to last years ending squad.
Quarterback
Current Roster: Jared Goff, Teddy Bridgewater
Additions/Retentions: Teddy Bridgewater (TB)
Losses: Kyle Allen (BUF), C.J. Beathard (UDFA)
Analysis: Kyle Allen started off slow last year but looked like a competent backup for Goff by the end of the Pre-Season, enough that Brad Holmes finally let go of his biggest draft blunder in Hendon Hooker during final cuts. Bringing Teddy back is a great fit for the Lions as he has Goff’s trust and is respected as a valued leader in the locker room. It doesn't hurt that he has been an accomplished QB in his career. It’s likely the Lions will look to add another arm, whether it is a draft pick for future development or a camp arm that ends up on the Practice Squad.
Verdict: Improved
Running Back
Current Roster: Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco, Sione Vaki, Jacob Saylors, Jabari Small, Kye Robichaux
Additions/Retentions: Isiah Pacheco (KC)
Losses: David Montgomery (Traded to HOU)
Analysis: Alas, Sonic and Knuckles are no more, but the Lions were able to backfill the loss of David Montgomery by signing Isiah Pacheco from the Chiefs to be RB No. 2. The change out was inevitable with all of the noise Monty was making, clearly suffering from his ego being bruised with Gibbs taking over as the featured back. Despite the Lions making changes in coaches, and likely philosophy, around running the ball to help assuage his concerns, Monty got his wish and went to a team where he thinks he will get more opportunities. The rest of the depth chart is the same cast of RBs that were with the Lions last year on the main roster or practice squad, so the main change at this point is a Montgomery for Pacheco swap. On the surface it appears to be a bit of a downgrade from a performance standpoint unless Pacheco can shake the injury bug and recapture the performance from his 1st two years in the league. However, this ends up being a slightly improved space due to Pacheco salary being significantly less than Montgomery and allowing a player that was not happy to move on to his preferred destination, while garnering two draft picks and a desperately needed OL piece back in return. Another RB is likely coming, whether is in the draft, Free Agency or when team start cutting players after the draft or at the end of camp.
Verdict: Slightly Improved
Wide Receiver
Current Roster: Amon-Ra St Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Greg Dortch, Dominic Lovett, Jackson Meeks, Tom Kennedy, Malik Cunningham
Additions/Retentions: Greg Dortch (ARZ), Tom Kennedy (RFA Re-signed)
Losses: Kalif Raymond (CHI)
Analysis: This unit is virtually a push, with the only change being Kalif Raymond replaced by Greg Dortch. Every other player is a holdover from last year, either on the main roster or the practice squad. The Raymond for Dortch swap is a net-neutral for the Lions from a WR standpoint, as they are virtually the exact same player production wise, albeit Dortch is four-years younger and not quite as explosive as Raymond. The biggest gain, IMO, will be form Isaac TeSlaa having another year of experience and Jameson Williams getting back his mentor in Teddy Bridgewater.
Verdict: Slightly Improved
Tight End
Current Roster: Sam LaPorta, Ty Conklin, Brock Wright, Zach Horton, Thomas Gordon
Additions/Retentions: Tyler Conklin (LAC)
Losses: Anthony Firsker (UDFA), Shane Zylstra (UDFA)
Analysis: The TE unit rating is going to be based on the health of LaPorta (Back) and Wright (Throat/Neck), with both expected to return without limitations by training camp. However, the Lions massively upgraded the depth here by signing Tyler Conklin to compete for TE No. 2 with Wright and supplant Zylstra on the roster. He is a better blocker than Wright, decent pass catcher and route runner and has historically been more productive that Wright throughout his career. Horton and Gordon are likely practice squad bound, but the addition of Conklin makes the overall TE position much improved over last year’s room.
Verdict: Improved
Offensive Line
Current Roster: Centers: Cade Mays, Juice Scruggs Seth McLaughlin, IOL: Tate Ratledge, Christian Mahogany, Miles Frazier, Colby Sorsdal, Michael Niese, OT: Penei Sewell, Larry Borom, Giovanni Manu, Devin Cochrane and Mason Miller
Additions/Retentions: Cade Mays (CAR), Juice Scruggs (Trade HOU), Larry Borom (MIA)
Losses: Taylor Decker (Cut-UDFA), Graham Glasgow (UDFA), Dan Skipper (Retired), Jamarco Jones (UDFA), Trystan Colon (UDFA)
Analysis: This unit is more debated than any other, as it was central to the Lions failures last year on offense, and also as a team. With the loss of three of the top 6 OL, you would expect this to be a downgrade, but in this case, it was a net gain from addition by subtraction. While Taylor Decker was still playing at an adequate level, his repeated injuries and high salary made him a cut target when he decided to come back for an 11th year. Glasgow was in the same situation, but his play was sub-standard to begin with and the signing of Cade Mays and the trade for Juice Scruggs were a massive upgrade to the Center position and IOL depth over Glasgow and Trystan Colon. The Guards (IOL) will run back Ratledge and Mahogany, and with a year two Frazier (who could challenge Mahogany for a starter position) and Scruggs added to the mix, there will be a lot of competition to determine the top 4-5 IOL. Overall, the IOL has significantly better competition and depth this year than last and will likely see more brought in via both Free Agency and Draft picks. As for OT depth, Larry Borom is likely the new swing tackle, with plenty of starting experience and a player who graded out last year significantly better than Skipper, Manu and even Decker. While he could start at RT and have Sewell flip to LT, this is 100% up in the air until the Lions Draft is complete, where they are expected to take an OT at either 17 or 50 to fill out the OL depth chart. As a whole, the OL room is younger, has better depth and significantly cheaper after this offseason.
Verdict: Slightly Improved
Defensive End/EDGE
Current Roster: Aiden Hutchinson, DJ Wonnum, Payton Turner, Levi Onwuzurike, Tyler Lacey, Ahmed Hassanein
Additions/Retentions: Payton Turner (UDFA-DAL), DJ Wonnum (UDFA-CAR)
Losses: Al-Quadin Muhhamad (UDFA-TB), Tyrus Wheat (UDFA-DAL), Marcus Davenport (UDFA), Josh Pascal (CUT-UDFA)
Analysis: The EDGE/DE position has been a “problem” for Brad Holmes ever since he drafted Aiden Hutchinson, trying to find that complimentary piece to play 60% plus of the snaps opposite him. It feels compounded this year with AQM and his 11 sacks heading to Tampa and looking like a giant loss. But is it really? There has always been some “guy” opposite Hutch that has stepped up and produced complimentary sack totals, but hasn’t been a great every down DE/Edge. In 2024 Za’darius Smith had 4 sacks in 8 games and back in 2022 it was James Houston with 8 sacks in 7 games. So that role may already be on the roster in Hassanein or the newly signed Payton Turner or DJ Wonnum. We also expect the Lions to go EDGE/DE with whichever pick at 17 or 50 that isn’t an OL, so the role will get filled. However, the overall EDGE/DE appears to be deeper than last year IMO, with Wonnum better than Davenport and the depth guys better than who we were trotting out there most of the year (Davenport/Wheat/Lacey) at EDGE. I expect Holmes will continue to churn this position group, adding a premium player in the draft and some additional depth pieces once veteran cuts start at the end of training camp.
Verdict: Slightly Improved
Interior Defensive Line
Current Roster: Alim McNeil, Tyliek Williams, Mekhi Wingo, Chris Smith, Myles Adams
Additions/Retentions: Levi Onwuzurike (Contract Tolled), Myles Adams (UDFA-Re-Signed)
Losses: Ray Lopez (UDFA-ARZ), DJ Reader (UDFA)
Analysis: At first glance, it appears the Lions took a pretty big hit to their IDL with the loss of Key Contributors Ray Lopez and DJ Reader in Free Agency. However, I would disagree, as the Lions IDL depth last year was excellent, and Lopez, who did play well, received contract numbers far larger to go back to ARZ than the Lions had budgeted to retain him. Regardless, the IDL is in decent hands with a healthy McNeil and a Year-two Williams along with Myles Adamas and Mekhi Wingo (who finally flashed once he got into a game) and a healthy Onwuzurike. I expect the Lions to add at least one more IDL, whether it is to re-sign DJ Reader or bring one in during the draft or as cuts are made later this year to increase the depth and competition.
Verdict: Neutral
Linebacker
Current Roster: Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Trevor Nowaske, Damone Clark
Additions/Retentions: Malcolm Rodriguez (UDFA Re-Signed) Trevor Nowaske (UDFA Re-Signed), Damone Clark (UDFA-HOU)
Losses: Alex Anzalone (UDFA-TB), Grant Stuard (UDFA-LAR), Zach Cunningham (UDFA), Zeke Turner (UDFA)
Analysis: The LB unit started the offseason with just Campbell and Barnes under contract, but Holmes has managed to bolster the depth and special teams by re-signing Rodriguez and Nowaske and grabbing Damone Clark form HOU. None of these guys are a direct replacement for what Anzalone provided as a five-tool LB, but it’s a start in getting the room situated for 2026. Clark is the lone FA add, and he is a decent LB when healthy for depth and is a special team’s core player, but I expect at least 3-4 more players brought in via the draft, trade or free agency before the season starts. From that group, the Lions need one more LB that can be a starter in short stints and also possess some of the same coverage traits that made Anzalone such a good player.
Verdict: Slightly Worse
Cornerback
Current Roster: DJ Reed, Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw, Roger McCreary, Khalil Dorsey, Rock Ya-Sin Nick Whiteside
Additions/Retentions: Roger McCreary (UDFA-KC), Rock Ya-Sin (UDFA Re-Signed)
Losses: Amik Robertson (UDFA-WAS), Avonte Maddox (UDFA), Jalen Mills (UDAF), Arthur Maulet (UDFA)
Analysis: The CB spot was one of two that were decimated by injuries in 2025 (along with Safety), but the silver lining is that Lions were able to get a good look at youngsters and veteran depth on their roster and see which players should be brought back and which needed to be replaced. One casualty of that was Amik Robertson, who was paid handsomely by WAS to jump teams, much more than the Lions would have offered, but he was replaced with a player I think is better suited for the nickel in Roger McCreary. Robertson, through no fault of his own, was moved all over last year covering NCB, LCB, RCB and seemingly was playing a different spot every week as guys returned and new injuries occurred. With the Outside CB spots locked down with Reed and Arnold along with Rakestraw (and Arnold) poised to come back from shoulder issues and Rock Ya-Sin back in the fold, McCreary can focus on being the Nickle CB and will likely excel. With Dorsey and Nick Whiteside also back, the Lions look like their CB spot is set for 2026 barring two of three more guys (including another NCB) added via the draft or Free Agency.
Verdict: improved
Safety
Current Roster: Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Thomas Harper, Christina Izien, Dan Jackson, Loren Strickland
Additions/Retentions: Christian Izien (UDFA-TB)
Losses: Daniel Thomas (UDFA-CLE)
Analysis: The Safety room is probably the biggest unknow outside of TE heading into 2026 with the top two of Joseph (Knee) and Branch (Achilles) both returning from injury plagued seasons in 2025. The addition of Christian Izien is big, as it gives the Lions a second starting level depth guy (in addition to Thomas Harper) while Branch recovers to start the 2026 campaign and as insurance if Joseph’s knee becomes a weekly thing again. The only loss was Daniel Thomas but replacing him with Izien is a net positive overall and actually makes the safety room, assuming everyone returns healthy, better than what was starting at the end of 2025. Strickland spent most of last year on the PS but is entering his third year with the team and the system and he and Dan Jackson will battle it out for that coveted fifth Safety spot on the roster. There is a strong possibility that Holmes is not done and the draft or veteran cuts later in the year could bring in another starting level guy, which wouldn’t hurt my feelings. However, I hope that bypassing the expensive options in FA is a good sign that Kerby’s knee issue is not degenerative and Branch is ahead of schedule in his rehab.
Verdict: Slightly Improved
Special Teams
Current Roster: Jake Bates (K), Hogan Hatten (LS), Jack Fox (P), Greg Dortch (KR/PR), Jacob Saylors (KR/PR), Jacob Saylors (KR), Tom Kennedy (PR)
Additions/Retentions: Greg Dortch (ARZ), Tom Kennedy (RFA Re-signed), Jake Bates (ERFA-Tendered), Jacob Saylors (ERFA Re-Signed)
Losses: Kalif Raymond (CHI), Grant Stuard (ST)
Analysis: Much like WR, the big change here is the swap of Kalif Raymond for Greg Dortch as the primary PR/KR. Looking at the raw numbers, the KR are almost identical, but Dortch has a significantly higher PR avg than Raymond did. For as good as Raymond was, he often went sideways trying to rely on his speed to turn the corner on PRs instead of just getting up field, which Dortch excels at, to the tune of a plus four yards (7.6-11.5) on Punt returns average. Throw in Tom Kennedy giving the team a spark at the end of the year and the return game should be slightly better. I would expect the Lions to bring in some extra legs for competition at Kicker and Punter, but do not expect any changes there. Bates should improve his accuracy after having several blocked and trying to kick in both awful weather and after absorbing some hard hits making tackles in the return game. The one area where there is currently a deficiency, are the special teams’ demons on coverage units. Grant Stuard is gone, and there was plenty of change out at LB and DB depth that make up the bulk of the core special teams’ players. I expect Holmes to restock this with great players like he always does, but there is a lot of offseason left.
Verdict: Neutral
Final Verdict: Improved
After going through this exercise, my interpretation is that the Lions roster is actually in a better spot right now than it was at the end of 2025. As I went through the positional groups, three of them were definitely Improved (QB, TE and CB), five of them were slightly improved (RB, WR, OL, DL and S), two groups were Neutral (IDL and ST) and only one position was slightly worse (LB). While not every direct positional replacement is an improvement, couple the ancillary factors with the swap of players and expected development of holdovers, and the Lions Roster at this point looks to be Improved since the end of 2025 with both the Draft and the next two waves of Free Agency left as opportunities to get better.
