Pro Football Focus is out with contract projections for their top-200 2023 free agents, including six Detroit Lions.
The Detroit Lions have decisions to make as free agency approaches next week, with a mix of in-house priorities and the possibility of outside pursuits.
Pro Football Focus (subscription required) is out with contract projections for their top 200 2023 NFL free agents. Six Lions are on the list, with a hat-tip to Erik Schlitt from Pride of Detroit for the contract numbers.
Note: the number after each name is their ranking on PFF’s list.
WR DJ Chark, No. 58
Contract projection: Three years, $35 million ($23.5 guaranteed)
S Deshon Elliott, No. 113
Projected contract: Two years, $6.5 million ($3.5 million guaranteed
RB Jamaal Williams, No. 114
Projected contract: Two years, $9 million ($5 million guaranteed)
LB Alex Anzalone, No. 195
Projected contract: Two years, $7 million ($4.25 million guaranteed)
CB Mike Hughes, No, 199
Projected contract: One year, $2 million ($1 million guaranteed)
NT Isaiah Buggs, No. 200
Projected contract:Two years, $4 million ($2.25 million guaranteed)
PFF’s Detroit Lions’ top free agents: Stay or go?
Let’s roll through all six, and predict if they’ll stay or go.
Chark: At that contract projection, or anything close to it, the Lions can do better. Prediction: Go
Elliott: A team could usurp the Lions in the market for Elliott, and he’s be foolish not to take that kind of a deal. Prediction: Go, but with a chance to stay
Williams: PFF’s contract projection feels a little light, compared to what he may get in terms of total and guaranteed cash. At that price point, he’ll be back with the Lions. More than that and it becomes a legit question, and there’s a fine line that can be drawn. Prediction: Stay, but with a chance he goes
Anzalone: Coming of the best season of his career, Anzalone has hinted he will seek a multi-year deal and PFF’s projection backs it up. The Lions should be looking into possible upgrades, the question is how far they’ll go to get one in free agency. Prediction: Go, with a small chance to stay
Hughes: The Lions are headed for some turnover in their cornerback room. Hughes could be brought back on another one-year deal, but….Prediction: Go
Buggs: Buggs has expressed his desire to stay with the Lions, and he was quite good in the second half of the season. Prediction: Stay