As the Detroit Lions start to shape their plan for 2023 free agency, these four free agents should be easy to let leave.
Compared to the last two, this offseason will be a little bit different for the Detroit Lions. A list of offseason needs could have just basically said “everywhere” in each of Brad Holmes’ first two offseasons as general manager, as a rebuild in the wake of the mess Matt Patricia and Bon Quinn left behind was embarked on.
But the roster build is going pretty well, pretty quickly in Detroit, with a winning season and a near-playoff berth this season as a nice springboard into this offseason and a promising future.
In free agency, the Lions can eye upgrades at some spots if they want to, re-sign some key pieces, etc. But need areas are narrower, and thus able to be targeted more aggressively. In particular defensive reinforcements will surely be a priority, in free agency and the draft, as that side of the ball is the final frontier for the Lions to become legit contenders. A bottom-tier defense across the board this year, even with some promising pieces in place, needs a further injection of talent. Veteran free agents may even see Detroit as a destination they’ll greatly consider now.
The Lions have 18 unrestricted free agents to consider bringing back or letting leave over the next couple months. These four should be easy to waive goodbye to.