Based on history, and general manager Brad Holmes' own words, the Detroit Lions will never be a big player in the free agent market as long as this regime is in charge. The biggest names, and the biggest contracts, will always be elsewhere.
While it would be nice to see some selective aggression during the offseason, the Lions are content to draft and develop at their core. Free agency will only be a background supplement to that, as players are deemed to "fit" or not, practically over and above their sheer talent level.
The list off offseason needs for the Lions feels cut-and-dry, with the offensive line an obvious priority. Edge rusher should be a top priority too, however that takes shape. Depth at other positions will be on the radar too.
Lions offered a free agent target so boring it feels ideal
Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus has matched each NFL team with a free agent they should pursue this offseason.
While some teams are attached to a big name free agent target, the Lions are not with Locker pointing them toward cornerback Roger McCreary.
"As the Lions head into an offseason of critical reflection, they’ll likely lament what’s happened to the state of their cornerback room by the end of the last two seasons. Although significant investments have been made, more is needed, especially on the inside with Amik Robertson no longer under contract."
"McCreary represents a younger upgrade at slot corner. The 25-year-old owns a 70.0 overall PFF grade throughout his four-year career, including a 68.7 PFF coverage mark. After joining the Rams midseason, McCreary notched a 79.4 coverage grade, and his 6.9 snaps per target tied for fourth among slot corners. The former second-round pick could bring inside-outside versatility with starting upside to Detroit’s corner room."
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McCreary was a second-round pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2022. After underachieving there for the better part of the three-plus seasons, with his role progressively reduced, he was traded to the Rams near the trade deadline this season. He spent some time on IR due to a hip injury after he became a Ram, but returned to play the last two regular season games and all three playoff games.
If Amik Robertson is not re-signed, or things move that way when the free agent period opens, there will be a need for a versatile corner who could predominately play in the slot. McCreary fits that bill, and not being overly costly would put him right in the Lions' wheelhouse as a free agent target.