Five Lions players who might be finished in Detroit

#5. Mike Daniels, DT

Former Green Bay Packers and 2017 Pro Bowl defensive tackle Mike Daniels seemed like a unicorn sent from Motown Heaven when he landed in Detroit last season. Daniels was a rare top-flight free agent who actually wanted to play for the Lions. And that was due to his admiration for head coach Matt Patricia.

So, the Lions happily signed Daniels to a healthy one-year, $9.1 million deal in July hoping he’d secure the interior of their defensive line. Unfortunately, although his contract was healthy, the 31-year old defensive tackle often wasn’t. Daniels was plagued by a foot injury all season before landing on Injured Reserve in mid-December.

Daniels played a total of nine games for Detroit in 2019, recording a mere 10 total tackles and a single sack. Turning 31-years old in May, it’s unclear if the Lions will give the aging veteran a new deal to remain in Motown.

It’s not like the Lions couldn’t use Daniels. The impending release of Damon Harrison makes the defensive tackle position an area of serious need in Detroit. But Daniels’ price tag combined with his lack of production and his injuries from last season likely means he’ll be playing elsewhere in 2020.