3 former Detroit Lions who could be brought back in 2024 free agency

2. C/OG Evan Brown

After Brown signed with the Seattle Seahawks last March, the Lions quickly pivoted to Graham Glasgow to replace his interior line versatility. That alone may have been a strong reflection of his value to them, wasting no time to replace him.

In 2021, after Frank Ragnow went down for the season due to turf toe, Brown started 12 games for the Lions at center and was graded solidly for his work by Pro Football Focus (68.8 overall).

Then in 2022, when Halapoulivaati Vaitai missed the entire season due to a back injury, Brown started 11 games at right guard among his 12 total starts. He wasn't as well-regarded for his work at guard, but practically being a full-time starter at two different positions in back-to-back years theoretically helped him heading into free agency last year.

Glasgow was open and honest about the idea he wants to make more money than he did this year, and he earned it with his performance. Not that it'll take much, with the reported max he could make on his one-deal this year being $4 million. But there's a chance Glasgow finds what he's looking for elsewhere.

Brown started 16 games at center for the Seahawks this past season, coming in as PFF's No. 27 center among 36 qualifiers. He could follow offensive coordinator Shane Waldron to the Chicago Bears, and there are other teams he'd be an experienced upgrade for at center.

But if Glasgow, in particular among the three guards they have who are headed to free agency, goes elsewhere, the Lions could enter the mix to sign Brown and bring him back.