Lions re-sign OG Graham Glasgow
In what was rumored to be and has proven to be a booming free agent market for guards, Glasgow could have talked to other teams and potentially cashed in. But before the "legal tampering" window opened, the news came he agreed to a three-year, $20 million deal to stay in Detroit.
Originally drafted by the Lions in 2016, Glasgow has a great season back with the team in 2023. Pro Football Focus graded him as top-10 guard in the league, as he took over at right guard (13 starts). He also started a game at center and left guard, offering the advertised versatility when called upon.
Glasgow is certainly a great fit for the Lions, and he proved how much he wanted to be back by not even entertaining offers from other teams (wink-wink). It's fair to wonder if he'll play as well as he did last season moving forward, but the Lions didn't waste time to bring him back.
Grade: B+
Lions sign EDGE Marcus Davenport
After they did nothing else on Day 1 after re-signing Glasgow, and just in time for writers covering the team to consider evening plans, news came the Lions had agreed to a one-year deal with edge rusher Marcus Davenport.
Davenport only played four games for the Minnesota Vikings last season, registering two sacks. Durability has been an ongoing thing in his career, with a laundry list of injuries since being drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2018 (thumb, toe-2X, foot, elbow, concussion, shoulder-2x, calf, ankle-2x).
Or course being drafted by the Saints means Lions head coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn were around him for the first three seasons of his career. That may have driven the move, and for a pass rush that needs plenty of help Davenport is a viable flier.
If Davenport can stay on the field, he could have a breakout season with the Lions in 2024. But, as Michael Jordan once famously said, "If 'if' was a fifth, we'd all be drunk." It's only a one-year deal, which is good, but it's hard to have much in the way of expectations here.
Grade: C+