3 free agent defensive tackles the Detroit Lions could sign to add size

If the Detroit Lions want to add “girth” to their defensive line, these three still-available free agents could fit nicely.

The Detroit Lions lost one of the bigger members of their defensive line, John Penisini, to retirement this offseason. The recent signing of Isaiah Buggs helps a little, but on Thursday morning head coach Dan Campbell pointed to an ongoing search for “girth” up front defensively.

Via SI.com:

"It goes without saying that you better be disruptive then (if you’re not big), we better hit these gaps,” Campbell said. “We’ve got to hit the blocks, we can’t allow ourselves to get road-grated. I will tell you this, we may need a little bit more girth up front, I wouldn’t say we’re not looking for that or won’t be.”"

If only for depth and/or to add competition to the mix during camp, the Lions appear to be looking for interior defensive line help. Here are three potential fits.

3 free agent defensive lineman the Detroit Lions could sign to add size

3. Justin Zimmer

Originally undrafted out of Ferris State in 2016,  Zimmer appeared in 18 games over the last two seasons with the Buffalo Bills with five tackles for loss and 15 quarterback pressures over a total of 436 snaps. Prior to that, he played in one game for the Atlanta Falcons in 2018, and two for the Cleveland Browns in 2019. He seems like a Dan Campbell type of player, managing to stick around like he has.

Zimmer also has the size (300 pounds) the Lions seem to be seeking.