The 2024 NFL season is only a little more than a month old, and the offseason/free agency is a long way away. On the other hand, front offices are surely aware of where needs might be come the offseason, rooted in looming contract situations or whatever else is or may come into play between now and March.
Lions fans can surely point to one position that's in need of some reinforcement right now, and it quite possibly will still be a need come the offseason (edge rusher).
Bleacher Report is out with their weekly accounting of each NFL team's roster weaknesses and how to fix them heading into Week 6. They of course continued to beat the Haason Reddick drum regarding an "add now" player for the Lions, and Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams was tabbed as the player they should be eyeing in the 2025 draft.
Lions urged to target unexpected player in 2025 free agency
Looking to 2025 free agency to fill a need, Bleacher Report writer Matt Holder offered the idea the Lions should target wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
"While Amon-Ra St. Brown is coming off an All-Pro campaign and Jameson Williams is starting to find his stride, the Lions could use one more wideout to fill the third spot on the depth chart. Also, Tim Patrick and Allen Robinson are only on one-year deals, so the team will need someone to fill the void."
"Hopkins isn't the player he used to be, but he can still be productive with over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns last season while working with two starting quarterbacks. Also, the 32-year-old might be willing to take a cheaper deal if it means playing for a Super Bowl contender."
Hopkins has been mentioned as someone teams looking to trade for a wide receiver are targeting, so his days as a Tennessee Titan may be winding down. But that won't change the fact he'll be a free agent after the season, and possibly looking to sign with a Super Bowl contender like Holder suggested.
In a broad sense, after the attempt to replace Josh Reynolds internally went awry, adding a veteran wide receiver of some note should be on the Lions' radar in 2025 free agency. Hopkins' name stands out naturally among the options that are currently slated to be available, for better or worse, but a potential fit exists in Detroit and it shouldn't be dismissed sheerly by default.