Through one week of free agency, the Detroit Lions are positioning themselves to rely upon the talent already existent on their roster to stay healthy, in addition to hitting on almost all of their Day 1 and 2 picks in the upcoming draft.
General manager Brad Holmes has doled out a few deals in 2026 already, but only one was a significant payday compared to the others players brought into the fold - Cade Mays, at center. Otherwise, Detroit's added on the margins - Tyler Conklin, Larry Borom, and Christian Izien are all short term and cheap signings that don't tie the Lions down past 2026.
Of course, even these small signings signal some competition, or some upcoming role changes, for a few Lions veterans looking forward to a bounce back season in the NFC North. With a fourth-place schedule, that bounce back feels all but guaranteed. Whether they'll have a significant role in that return to greatness is another story.
3 Lions veterans who might see role change in Wave 2 of free agency
Penei Sewell
Sewell is not going to be getting any competition added for his spot at right tackle any time soon. However, the Lions could be setting up to move him over to left tackle, a position he has experience playing. With their signing of Borom, they've got a swing tackle who could spot-start at right or left tackle depending on who they go with in the draft.
There are several right tackles to consider at 17th overall or even 50th overall, but if they want as close to a pro-ready tackle as possible, the first round is where they'll look. Spencer Fano, Blake Miller, and Max Iheanachor are all RTs the Lions might consider looking at if Sewell is open to a positional change in 2026.
Free agency, and specifically the signing of Borom, has signaled that the Lions are looking for as much flexibility on the line as possible.
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Brock Wright
Wright was decent in relief of Sam LaPorta in 2025, but he also dealt with some injury woes that might make Detroit think twice about relying on his services if LaPorta goes down again.
Conklin was signed towards the end of the first week of free agency as an obvious depth piece for Detroit at tight end. We've waxed poetic about how much new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing loves his options at TE, so this signing makes sense in that respect.
However, Wright could be facing some legitimate competition for the TE2 role if Conklin looks any better than he did with the Los Angeles Chargers this past season (which, by the way, wasn't good). If Detroit keeps adding at this position, especially with some pretty big TE names still available on the market, it further signals Wright's shaky position on the roster.
Christian Mahogany
An intriguing name still on the market (and likely for cheap) is former Cleveland Browns left guard Joel Bitonio. The veteran logged a 70.7 grade from PFF for his 2025 performance, and he had a decent run-blocking grade, as well (64.4). It's a bit of a stretch to consider Mahogany a "veteran," but he'll be logging his third year with Detroit in 2026, so here he lands.
Mahogany had a tough 2025 campaign, getting hurt just as he was looking like a solid guard pairing with then-rookie Tate Ratledge. Detroit has shown willingness to experiment along the line, mentioning fairly often their confidence in Ratledge's ability to play center, and having Sewell play both ends of the line throughout his time with the team.
With that being the case, it doesn't feel completely impossible that the Lions look for guard help at this point in free agency. Bitonio is just one guard still available, but others include Kevin Zeitler - hey, we know him! - Trevor Penning, or even Kayode Awosika. Again.