Ahead of this week's kickoff to the NFL Combine, Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell are expected to speak with media about the teams' needs this offseason. Plenty of extensions, free agency signings, and potential trades are on the table for Detroit, as they have to figure out a way to maximize their talented roster and make it back into the postseason in 2026.
Free agency is one leg of that effort, and there are several tiers of free agents that Holmes and the rest of the front office have to take a real look at in order to shore up their offensive line and depleted defense.
The Blue-Chip: iOL Wyatt Teller
With veteran Graham Glasgow potentially on the way out to save cap space, there is a massive hole at right guard.
- The Fit: Teller recently announced he is leaving Cleveland, and he is the physical embodiment of the way Campbell wants his lineman to compete. He is an, at times, dominant interior presence who would immediately boost the interior.
- The Price Tag: Teller remains one of the elite guards on the market. However, if the Lions want to protect Jared Goff and re-establish the run game that faltered at times in 2025, it's a swing worth taking for the 31-year old Teller.
2. Starter: CB Greg Newsome
The Lions' secondary struggled with injuries and inconsistency last season. While Terrion Arnold is a foundational piece, the team desperately needs a reliable veteran who can align on both the boundary, and at nickel.
- The Fit: Newsome is undersized at 5-foot-9, but he's a physical, instinctive, ball-hawking corner who fits the aggressive man-heavy scheme Kelvin Sheppard wants to run. He’s still just 25 years old, making him an ideal mid-prime addition for a team that can't afford another year of underwhelming play on the backend.
- The Price Tag: Moderate. He’ll likely command a multi-year deal in the $8-9M AAV range. It’s a decent investment, but it stops the revolving door on the outside.
READ MORE: Pre-Combine mock has Lions filling notable void with what'd be a massive steal
3. Veteran Bridge: EDGE Tyquan Lewis
Aidan Hutchinson remains a superstar, but the Lions' pass rush was inconsistent when he was off the field, or doubled. With that, Detroit needs a veteran who can win in isolation without costing a fortune.
- The Fit: Lewis is a versatile glue player who can play both end and tackle in sub-packages. He isn't a 10-sack specialist (five sacks the last two years combined), but he is a high-motor defender who fits the culture in Detroit.
- The Price Tag: $3M AAV. Bring Lewis in on a one-year prove-it or a low-cost two-year deal. A veteran of the league who's played in Indianapolis for the entirety of his career, Lewis provides the veteran floor that adds key depth along a defensive front. He's not a sexy addition, but it's the type of add that can provide stability to a unit. You know exactly what you're going to get.