Lions' 2025 Free Agents, Targets and Draft Needs After NFL Playoff Loss
After years of battling just for relevance, Detroit has established itself as a legitimate powerhouse. General manager Brad Holmes has crafted one of the better rosters in the league, while head coach Dan Campbell has forged an identity as a hearty, hungry, championship-caliber team.
The Lions don't just overcome adversity, they embrace it.
Despite a long list of injuries to key players, Detroit recorded a franchise-best 15-2 record, collected the NFC's No. 1 seed and secured a first-round bye.
Although the Lions were upset in the Divisional round by the Washington Commanders, what should concern the rest of the conference is the fact that the Lions are positioned to get even better in 2025. Now that their postseason has ended, Holmes and Campbell must focus on filling holes and adding more pieces to one of the NFL's best rosters.
Here's a preview of what could be in store for the Lions in the 2025 offseason.
Free Agents
Unrestricted Free Agents
K Michael Badgley
LB Derrick Barnes
DE John Cominsky
Edge Marcus Davenport
CB Carlton Davis
CB Khalil Dorsey
CB Ifeatu Melifonwu
CB Emmanuel Moseley
G Netane Muti
LB Ben Niemann
DT Levi Onwuzurike
WR Tim Patrick
DT Kyle Peko
RB Craig Reynolds
G Dan Skipper
CB Kindle Vildor
G Kevin Zeitler
Restricted/Exclusive-Rights Free Agents
G Kayode Awosika
OT Michael Niese
G Trevor Nowaske
Holmes has done a tremendous job of building through the draft and locking up centerpiece players like Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell. That's why one of the best teams in the NFL has few key contributors headed to free agency and a whopping $70.5 million in projected cap space.
Detroit can afford to make a few splashy additions this offseason, though Holmes will likely focus on retaining players first.
Guard Kevin Zeitler proved to be an effective starter for the Lions this season, though he'll turn 35 in March. Bringing him back on a short-term deal would be sensible if Detroit is thinking about adding a lineman in the draft. Dan Skipper has largely been a role player, albeit a very valuable one who may be retained.
Trade acquisition Carlton Davis was terrific when healthy this season, though he ended the regular season on injured reserve with a fractured jaw.
Ifeatu Melifonwu and Levi Onwuzurike will probably be offseason priorities. John Cominsky might be even though he missed the 2024 season with a torn MCL. Cominsky started 11 games in 2023 and recorded 36 tackles and two sacks.
The Lions will face a decision with kicker Michael Badgley. He became the team's kicker in 2023 but suffered a torn hamstring in July that opened the door for Jake Bates. Given his performance this season, Bates will probably remain Detroit's kicker. Of course, Detroit may want to carry two specialists into training camp.
Potential Free-Agent/Trade Targets
Detroit's defense was repeatedly impacted by injuries this season. Even if the Lions are healthy and retain most of their free agents, though, they could afford to add more talent to that side of the ball.
The Lions ended the regular season ranked 22nd in yards per carry allowed, 23rd in net yards per pass attempt allowed and 20th in total yards allowed.
Adding another edge-rusher could be the top priority. Detroit needed edge-rushing help even before Aidan Hutchinson's injury, and while it did land Za'Darius Smith at the trade deadline, there's room for another sack artist.
Expect the Lions to consider free agents like Azeez Ojulari, Khalil Mack, Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick. If a pass-rusher like Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby or Trey Hendrickson becomes available in a trade, for whatever reason, Holmes will probably pounce.
Cornerbacks like D.J. Reed, Charvarius Ward, Asante Samuel Jr., Byron Murphy and Stephon Gilmore will probably be on Detroit's radar as well. Only the Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens surrendered more passing yards in 2024 than Detroit.
The defense could do with a bit more depth along the defensive line. It's not a massive need, but adding a defender like Milton Williams or Osawaru Odighizuwa would help round out Detroit's front.
Offensively, the Lions don't need much. They could look to replace Zeitler with a younger guard, like Trey Smith or Trevor Penning. A bit more receiving depth wouldn't hurt, even if Detroit re-signs Tim Patrick.
Holmes won't chase the top receivers early in free agency, though complementary pass-catchers like Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Nelson Agholor should interest him.
The Lions probably won't go after every big name in 2025 free agency because their draft-and-develop strategy is working. However, they'll likely have a few more difference-makers in tow heading into the draft.
Draft Targets
While the Lions may target a guard like Alabama's Tyler Booker or Georgia's Tate Ratledge early in the draft, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Holmes focus almost entirely on defense. An edge-rusher or cornerback would probably make the most sense in Round 1.
The Bleacher Report Scouting Department paired the Lions with Mississippi pass-rusher Princely Umanmielen in its post-regular season mock draft.
"The Lions are looking for someone to lighten Hutchinson's load next season as he recovers from a gruesome broken leg," Matt Holder of the B/R Scouting Department said. "Umanmielen has a wide array of pass-rush moves to provide just what the team needs. Conversely, Detroit provides a good situation where he wouldn't have to start right away."
Other prospects the Lions may consider on opening night include Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison and Marshall edge-rusher Mike Green.
Expect defensive prospects like Kansas cornerback Cobee Bryant, LSU corner Zy Alexander, Arkansas edge-rusher Landon Jackson and Kentucky defensive lineman Deone Walker to interest the Lions in the second round as well.
Prospects like LSU lineman Miles Frazier, Cal safety Craig Woodson, Iowa corner Jermari Harris and Miami receiver Xavier Restrepo should draft interest on Day 3. Detroit doesn't currently possess a third-round pick because of last year's draft trade with the New York Jets.
In all, the Lions are projected to have seven draft selections, with three of those coming in the seventh round. Don't be surprised if Holmes packages a few of those late picks to target a specific player earlier in the draft.
*Cap, contract and free-agent status information via Spotrac. Draft information via Tankathon