4 free agents the Detroit Lions could still sign before the 2023 season starts
5. DT Matt Ioannidis
Ioannidis has been mentioned off and on as a nice free agent fit for the Lions for months now. Frankly, shy of an unknown health concern, it's odd that he's still available into August.
His raw production has fallen the last few years, with injuries notably costing him most of 2020 with Washington and four games last year with the Panthers. But deeper metrics show Ioannidis remains a solid pass rusher. Head coach Dan Campbell said he thinks the Lions have enough on the defensive line, with the caveat of "right now" in acknowledgment of it being early.
Ioannidis should be on a team, and he should be on a team before Week 1. That team could still be the Lions.
4. C Ben Jones
Frank Ragnow is going to keep playing with a lingering toe injury, and given how well he played last year with it no one should question his ability to do it. But he may literally one bad step away from a long absence, like happened with his first toe injury in 2021.
Graham Glasgow was brought back to the Lions this offseason, and his versatility replaces the versatility lost with the free agent departure of Evan Brown. Even if Glasgow beats out Halapoulivaati Vaitai for the starting job a right guard, he could just move over to center if Ragnow were to go down.
But as of right now, Ross Pierschbacher is penciled is as Ragnow's backup. No offense to him, as virtually anyone would be a steep drop-off from Ragnow, but if Pierschbacher has to start games it would be bad for the Lions.
Jones was let go by the Tennessee Titans in March with a failed physical designation after concussions cost him five games last season. More recently did not rule out a return to the Titans, so he appears to be healthy. The 34-year old has 151 starts on his resume, with 108 of those at center for Tennessee over the past seven seasons.
NFL Trade Rumors has Jones listed in the top-25 on their latest list of remaining free agents. He could be on the Lions' radar to some degree. If he would check out health-wise after last year's head injury issues, and he's willing to be a backup, there could be a match.