We're just a few days away from NFL free agency starting up and the curiosity about the Detroit Lions plans grows more and more every day.

One thing we know tends to happen a lot in the NFL is that free agents will strongly consider familiarity when they're looking for a new team. There's a tendency to follow a coach that they trust and know how to use them. 

With that in mind, here's some key free agents who have ties to the Lions coaching staff: 

Head Coach Dan Campbell

WR Brandin Cooks

Spent one season with Campbell in New Orleans, but also has a history with Lions assistant GM Ray Agnew who helped bring him to Los Angeles in 2018. 

DT Sheldon Rankins

Spent four seasons with Campbell in New Orleans and would be a pretty good fit for the Lions defensive line right now. Definitely one to monitor. 

WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey

Spent two seasons with Campbell in New Orleans. Could be a potential X-receiver for the Lions. He hasn't really realized his potential quite yet, but Detroit could be the spot where he would get the most chances to do so. 

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Assistant head coach/receivers coach Scottie Montgomery

WR Zay Jones

Montgomery was Jones' head coach at East Carolina and he helped Jones get drafted in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. While Jones has never quite found his footing in the NFL, the Lions do need a bigger bodied guy and Montgomery is now the receivers coach. It's one to watch from a training camp opportunity standpoint. 

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Offensive coordinator John Morton

WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey

Morton was also on that Saints staff that Humphrey played for, but he was also on the Broncos staff with Humphrey in 2023 and 2024. 

QB Zach Wilson

I know he's not the most exciting player that Lions fans are dreaming of right now, but you could totally see this guy getting a training camp opportunity with the Lions.

WR Zay Jones

Montgomery had him in college and Morton was with him for three seasons in Las Vegas. One of which was one of Jones' best seasons. 

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Tight ends coach Tyler Roehl

QB Trey Lance

Roehl was Lance's offensive coordinator at North Dakota State. He played a big role in Lance being the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. 

QB Easton Stick

Stick was Roehl's quarterback previous to Lance. Could be a solid practice squad guy or a QB3 if the Lions are interested. 

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Linebackers coach Shaun Dion Hamilton

Edge Chase Young

Young and Hamilton were teammates on the Commanders. Young is someone that is expected to have a big market this offseason and the Lions are expected to have some interest. Hamilton could help swing it. 

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Defensive Assistant August Mangin

CB Isaac Yiadom

Yiadom worked with Mangin on special teams with the 49ers a lot last year. A really solid run defending cornerback and a pretty good special teams guy too. 

S Talanoa Hufanga

A guy to really keep an eye on. Hufanga worked on special teams with Mangin, but has been a pretty good safety too. We don't know what the future looks like for Ifeatu Melifonwu, but Hufanga would be a solid replacement if he can stay healthy. 

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Defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers

Edge Anthony Nelson

Nelson is a depth guy all the way, but that's exactly what the Lions defense needs right now. You'd love to see Vita Vea come over, but he's just not available right now.

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Defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend

S Rayshawn Jenkins

Jenkins was just a cap casualty for the Seahawks this week. He would be a really good depth safety for the Lions and brings a lot of what the team is looking for at the position.

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