Ranking Lions' unrestricted free agents, projecting their next contracts and the odds they're re-signed
Even though it arrived earlier than expected, the NFL offseason is upon us in Detroit, and the Lions are set to undergo plenty of change.
The current news cycle is being dominated by the pillaging of the team's coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has departed for Chicago, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn reportedly has an offer from the New York Jets, and d-line coach Tyrell Williams has accepted the defensive coordinator job in New England. Plus, Johnson and Glenn could lure away additional assistants to fill out their respective staffs.
Once that dust settles, Detroit's roster will come into focus. The Lions have 31 players set to hit free agency, including 22 who will be unrestricted and free to sign with another team on March 12, the start of the next league year.
Before that time arrives, let's rank those 22 UFAs, project their next contracts — factoring in age, skill set, production and potential — and assess the odds of Detroit re-signing them.
1. Cornerback Carlton Davis
When general manager Brad Holmes set out to revamp the team’s cornerback room last offseason, he couldn’t have scored a much better fit for the cost than Davis. A physical, press-man defender who is comfortable matching up against the best receiving option the opponent has to offer and never afraid of charging into the fire in run support, Davis elevated a position group that had struggled immensely the past few seasons.
His physicality has long hindered his durability, which showed up again this season. He ended the year on the shelf after suffering a jaw injury while making a run stop. But he was what the doctor had ordered in the games he played.
The question becomes whether the Lions can afford him. Cornerbacks are among the highest-paid positions in football, and in a thin free-agency class, he’ll get among the best players available.
Projected contract: Four years, $78 million
Odds Lions re-sign? 30%. The team has limited room for big contracts, particularly if they seek long-term deals with the players they’ve drafted and developed, such as Aidan Hutchinson, Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs.
2. Linebacker Derrick Barnes
It took two full seasons, but things really started to click for Barnes heading into the 2023 season, allowing him to out-snap first-round draft pick Jack Campbell that season. And when it looked like Campbell was ready to claim a more prominent role heading into his second year, the Lions showed their continued belief in Barnes by having him on the field for 86.5% of the team's defensive reps through the first two weeks of the season.