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1 free agent the Detroit Lions might miss, and 4 they won’t miss at all

By Brad Berreman

Nov 20, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams (30) warms up before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams (30) warms up before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Lions, Amani Oruwariye
Credit: Cooper Neill/Getty Images /

Free Agent Lions Won’t Miss: CB Mike Hughes

As the Lions added cornerbacks in free agency, a slim chance Hughes would be re-signed quickly became no chance. He landed with the Atlanta Falcons after one, unspectacular season in Detroit.

Hughes played well at times last season, and he stepped into a bigger role when Jeff Okudah struggled late in the season (a snap rate of 65 percent or higher four times from Week 12-Week 18).

But he was not impactful, with zero interceptions, no turnovers forced at all and just one pass breakup in 16 games over 563 defensive snaps. His coverage numbers (73.2 percent completion rate; 126.0 passer rating, according to Pro Football Reference) were simply not good. An upgrade was going to be easy to find, and the Lions did it.

Free Agent Lions Won’t Miss: CB Amani Oruwariye

Oruwariye went from budding star in 2021 (six interceptions) to struggling and eventually benched easily in 2022. He was not going to be back with the Lions, and he eventually agreed to a deal with the New York Giants.

At one point early last season, when he was basically forced to play more than he should have, Oruwariye was the lowest-graded cornerback in the league as graded by Pro Football Focus. Later in the season, he only played when the situation forced it and he was easily targeted by opposing quarterbacks.

Even if the Lions hadn’t made the notable free agent additions in the secondary that they did, Oruwariye was as good as gone. So he wasn’t going to be missed, and he obviously won’t be missed now.

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