10 free agents the Detroit Lions should consider following the NFL Draft

The Detroit Lions added some key pieces to their roster in the 2024 NFL Draft, but teams are always looking to get better, and there are a couple of spots where the Lions could turn back to free agency for some veteran additions.

The three most glaring spots that could use a veteran contributor are wide receiver, offensive tackle, and safety. So let’s take a look at a handful of players at each of those positions to see who may appeal to the Lions.

Wide receivers

The Lions are in the market for a receiver who can challenge for a WR-X/WR3 role. Last season, Josh Reynolds registered 40 receptions, 608 yards, (35.8 receiving yards per game), and five touchdowns. The Lions were reportedly in talks to bring Reynolds back but were outbid by the Broncos. His contract was for two-year, $9 million, but is structured more like a one-year $4.5 million deal—which is an important number to keep in mind when looking at the current free agents.

Zay Jones, 6-foot-2, 200 pounds

Slot snaps in 2023: 29%
Age: 29
Biggest concern: Knee injury in 2023

After drafting Brian Thomas in the first round, the Jaguars released Jones in a salary-saving/roster management move. Jones only played in nine games—starting seven—last season due to a knee injury, and put up a modest 34 receptions and 321 yards receiving with two touchdowns. That stats line equates to a 35.7 yards per game average which is not far off from what Reynolds put up last season in the same role.

Of note, Jones was arrested for domestic violence late last year but those charges were dismissed in March. The Lions have a zero-tolerance policy for domestic violence, so this situation would need to be explored.

Tyler Boyd, 6-foot-2, 203 pounds

Slot snaps in 2023: 81%
Age: 29
Biggest concern: Cost to acquire vs outside snaps

Boyd is one of the hottest names in free agency and has reportedly drawn interest from the Lions, Chargers (though they just signed D.J. Chark), Titans, and Steelers. That level of interest from multiple teams will drive his price up, and his slot usage is a bit higher than I would prefer, but he is arguably the most talented receiver on the market right now.

Michael Thomas, 6-foot-3, 212 pounds

Slot snaps in 2023: 22%
Age: 31
Biggest concern: Injury history

Thomas was drafted by the Saints in 2016, the same year Lions coach Dan Campbell joined New Orleans as a tight ends coach, and they worked in the same offense for five seasons before the coach left for Detroit. While Thomas has dominated at times during his career, and is the ideal WR-X, his health has been a problem since 2020. Over the last three seasons, he played in just 13 games, and his yards per route run is half what it was when he was an All-Pro. While his days as a WR1, are behind him, that may be just fine for the Lions because they don’t need him to be.

Odell Beckham Jr., 5-foot-11, 200 pounds

Slot snaps in 2023: 13%
Age: 31
Biggest concern: Inconsistent play

Another former All-Pro who is not the player he once was, Beckham still flashes potential, but he’s just a cog in an offense now. That being said, there is some appeal for the Lions who have a high-powered offense to include him, and as long as he is a locker room/organizational fit, he may be worth exploring. Beckham drew interest from the Dolphins early in free agency but his asking price was believed to be too high—which could also be an issue for the Lions.

Offensive tackle

The Lions are set at their starting tackle spots but it’s unclear what the Lions plan would be for their reserve options, as their options are limited. Currently, they have players who are capable of playing tackle in a pinch, like Dan Skipper and Colby Sorsdal, but the only other tackle is 2023 UDFA Connor Galvin who spent last season on the practice squad. A veteran tackle would ease some concerns.

Andrus Peat, 6-foot-7, 316 pounds

Snap distribution in 2023: 715 at LT, 89 at LG
Age: 30
Biggest concern: No experience playing on the right side

Peat was drafted by the Saints in 2015 and has started for them at left tackle and left guard 102 times over his career. Last season he was benched from his guard role, but the Saints offensive line struggled and Peat was inserted back into the lineup at left tackle, starting 12 games. While Peat has only played on the left side in the NFL, a player with his level of experience is certainly worth exploring.

D.J. Humphries, 6-foot-5, 307

Snap distribution in 2023: 920 at LT
Age: 30
Biggest concern: ACL tear

An eight-year starter for the Cardinals at left and right tackle (in 2016), Humphries tore his ACL last New Year’s Eve and is still in the recovery process. The Cardinals couldn’t wait around for him to recover, but the Lions can and should check in with Humphries recovery process just ahead of training camp. At 30 years old and with an injury that could linger into the season, his price tag could drop to a point where he’s worth considering as an OT3 role in 2024.

Safety

The Lions have two young starting safeties in Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu, as well as Brian Branch also expanding his game to include more safety reps, but all three are still on their rookie contracts and the position group lacks a veteran presence. Fortunately for Detroit, there was a purge among veteran safeties in the NFL this offseason, leaving some very intriguing options to consider.

Quandre Diggs, 5-foot-9, 200 pounds

Positional range: Primarily a free safety with the range to play in the slot and box
Age: 31
Biggest concern: Coming off a down year

Bring Nino home.

After his unceremonious trade to Seattle by the Bob Quinn-Matt Patricia regime, Diggs has always been a player Detroit fans have not been able to get over losing. Not only did Diggs go on to thrive with the Seahawks, but he made three consecutive Pro Bowls during the 2020-2022 seasons. This offseason, in a salary cap saving move, Seattle released both their starting safeties and it could be just the opportunity Detroit needs to reclaim its lost leader.

He’s never lost any love for the city or his former teammates, and he also seems to be a fan of the new youth on the roster as well.

It’s the perfect move the Lions could make at this stage of the offseason. Bring Nino home.

Justin Simmons, 6-foot-2, 202 pounds

Positional range: A free safety who spends a fair amount of time in the box and slot
Age: 30
Biggest concern: Price tag

Over the last five seasons, Simmons has made the Pro Bowl twice and been named a second-team All-Pro four times. This offseason, he was released by the Broncos in a salary cap-saving move and has surprisingly remained a free agent. As arguably the best player still available in free agency, Simmons will likely command a hefty price tag, but at the same time, he’s shown he is a plug-and-play starter with All-Pro upside.

Eddie Jackson, 6-foot-0, 206 pounds

Positional range: Ball hawking free safety
Age: 29
Biggest concern: rapid decline in play

Jackson has notoriously been a Lions killer, making several ball-hawking plays against Detroit over his career with Chicago. While his play has definitely fallen off over the last two seasons, he still has a strong nose for the ball, which is a valuable asset for a reserve. Capable of playing in the post, Jackson has the range and ball skills that could make him a valuable third or fourth option at safety.

Marcus Maye, 5-foot-11, 207 pounds

Positional range: Free safety with box skills
Age: 31
Biggest concern: Missed games (suspension, injury)

Another salary cap causality, the Saints release Maye this offseason in their annual scramble to become cap-compliant. Maye is coming off a 2023 season that saw him suspended three games (from a 2021 DUI case) early and then finished the year on injured reserve (shoulder). When healthy, he is capable of being an every-down safety, but because of his age and rough season, the price should be palatable for a reserve role.