The Detroit Lions went 15-2 in the 2024 NFL regular season but saw their chance at a Super Bowl run end with a 45-31 loss to the Commanders in the Divisional Round. Now, they turn their attention to playoffs to stay a contender and try to get over the hump in 2025. Here is a look at potential cuts, free agents, and team needs this offseason.
Detroit Lions Free Agents
Guard Kevin Zeitler was an effective starter for the Lions and he is hitting free agency but is 35 years old. Dan Skipper is a great role player while Carlton Davis was solid when healthy at cornerback. They are set to hit the market as well. Take a look at all of the Lions’ free agents for this offseason.
| Player | Pos. | Type | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al-Quadin Muhammad | EDGE | UFA | 30 |
| Allen Robinson | WR | UFA | 32 |
| Anthony Pittman | LB | UFA | 29 |
| Ben Niemann | LB | UFA | 30 |
| Carlton Davis | CB | UFA | 29 |
| Connor Galvin | LT | ERFA | 26 |
| Craig Reynolds | RB | RFA | 29 |
| Dan Skipper | LT | UFA | 31 |
| Derrick Barnes | LB | UFA | 26 |
| Emmanuel Moseley | CB | UFA | 29 |
| Ifeatu Melifonwu | CB | UFA | 26 |
| John Cominsky | IDL | UFA | 30 |
| Jonah Williams | IDL | UFA | 30 |
| Kayode Awosika | LG | RFA | 27 |
| Kevin Zeitler | RG | UFA | 35 |
| Khalil Dorsey | CB | UFA | 27 |
| Kindle Vildor | CB | UFA | 28 |
| Kyle Peko | IDL | UFA | 32 |
| Levi Onwuzurike | IDL | UFA | 27 |
| Marcus Davenport | EDGE | UFA | 29 |
| Michael Badgley | K | UFA | 30 |
| Michael Niese | LG | ERFA | 27 |
| Mitchell Agude | EDGE | ERFA | 26 |
| Morice Norris | CB | Signed | 25 |
| Myles Adams | IDL | UFA | 27 |
| Netane Muti | RG | Signed | 26 |
| Pat O’Connor | EDGE | UFA | 32 |
| Shane Zylstra | TE | RFA | 29 |
| Teddy Bridgewater | QB | UFA | 33 |
| Tim Patrick | WR | UFA | 32 |
| Trevor Nowaske | LB | ERFA | 27 |
| Zeke Turner | LB | UFA | 29 |
Lions Cut Candidates
The Lions are in pretty good shape when it comes to the salary cap which can help them avoid tough decisions when it comes to cutting players to save money. Regardless, Za’Darius Smith ($5.7M), Graham Glasgow ($5.3M), and Jalen Reeves-Maybin ($2.7M) could all be on the chopping block.
Reeves-Maybin missed multiple weeks this season with a neck injury and wasn’t helpful on special teams like he was in 2023. On the offensive line, Glasgow looks like his beginning his decline after an average season and he is turning 33 years old. Smith provided some help in the pass rush after Aidan Hutchinson was injured but it wasn’t enough and Detroit will be looking to address that position in the draft.
Score NFL Gear for your favorite team from Fanatics!
Team Needs (Edge, CB, WR, OG, DT)
We will see Brad Holmes focus heavily on two positions this offseason as the Lions showed major gaps in their depth down the stretch. First, they will be looking to add talent at edge rusher. After losing Aidan Hutchinson, it was clear the Lions needed another option to get after the quarterback. It showed in the worst way against the Commanders in the playoffs.
Detroit also has issues to address in the secondary. The Lions gave up the most yards to opposing wide receivers in the league. Adding depth at defensive back will be crucial to helping get their defense stronger heading into 2025.
While the Lions have strong options at wide receiver in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, they are still looking for a WR3 that could add another weapon for Goff to take the pressure off. Tim Patrick and Allen Robinson are hitting free agency which leaves the Lions without a lot of options in their wide receiver unit in terms of depth.
