5 free agents Detroit Lions could pursue from the Super Bowl teams

2. Bengals CB Darius Phillips

Phillips had four interceptions during his second season in 2019, then followed by playing a ton as for Cincinnati in 2020 (77 percent of the snaps in 12 games). Then the Bengals reconstructed their cornerback depth chart last offseason, signing Mike Hilton, Chidobe Awuzie, Eli Apple and Tre Flowers. So Phillips played just 90 defensive snaps in 12 regular season games this season. He finished the season on IR with a left shoulder injury.

Phillips adds value as a return man, and has shown a nose for the ball when given an opportunity. He’s a Detroit native and a Western Michigan alum, for the local angle, but his skill set and price matches well with the Lions’ need for more depth at cornerback.

1. Bengals WR Auden Tate

Since opportunity knocked for him in 2019 (40 catches on 80 targets catching passes from the shell of Andy Dalton and Ryan Finley), Tate has gotten pushed down the depth chart further every year in Cincinnati by a notable draft pick addition.

Tate finished the regular season on IR with a calf injury, and he hasn’t played in the playoffs despite being designated to return on Jan. 11.  So it’s doubtful he plays in the Super Bowl.

Tate has size (6-foot-5, 228 pounds) and a raw skill set that keeps him intriguing for some, despite the Bengals clearly having no place for him. He won’t be expensive to sign, and the Lions could consider doing it simply to take a shot on someone with upside.