Detroit Lions: 4 ex-Patriots who could be free agent targets
The Detroit Lions figure to be active when the free agent market opens up this week. Here are four ex-Patriots who could make sense in Motown.
The Detroit Lions have several voids to fill along their roster. And although they have not been known for making big splash signings in free agency in recent years, that could change as early as next week.
As Detroit attempts to crawl out of the NFC North basement in 2019, they likely need to find some veteran help in free agency to do so. And we’ve seen that former New England Patriot alums in current Lions’ general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia have an affinity for signing former Pats.
So here are four ex-Patriots who will be available when the free agent market opens this upcoming week that seem to make sense as possible targets for the Motor City.
Trey Flowers, DE
Flowers has been linked to the Lions for quite some time and is expected to be Detroit’s top free agent target. With the Lions’ likely moving on from premier pass rusher Ezekiel Ansah, they need someone to come in and replace his production. Flowers racked up 21.0 sacks in the past three seasons in New England and has played under Patricia’s system.
Danny Amendola, WR
The Lions need a slot receiver to help replace the production lost when the team traded away Golden Tate last season. Although Detroit could look to the draft to find one, Amendola is a 33-year old former Patriot that could be a cheap, bridge player who can bring championship experience to a young receiver corps.
Amendola had 59 receptions for 575 yards and a score during his one season in Miami last year despite having quarterbacks Brock Osweiler and Ryan Tannehill under center.
Eric Rowe, CB
The Lions have a well-publicized need at cornerback. And Patricia could look to an old name to fill the void. As the Patriots’ defensive coordinator for six seasons, he was certainly part of the decision to trade for former second-round cornerback Eric Rowe back in 2016. Rowe started in 10 games for Patricia before he left for Motown. Could a reunion be in order now that he’s a free agent?
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Jeremy Hill, RB
Hill played just one game for the Patriots before tearing his ACL in Week One. But him being a possible target for the Lions is less about his time in New England and more about Detroit’s new running backs coach, Kyle Caskey.
Before replacing David Walker in Detroit, who stepped away from coaching entirely this offseason, Caskey spent nine seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. He was the running backs coach when Hill, the Bengals’ second-round selection in 2014, posted 1,124 rushing yards and nine touchdowns his rookie season.