The NFL Draft process begins next week with the Senior Bowl, and from there, it’s all about player acquisition for the Detroit Lions. So, before all of that goes down, we want to take a stab at what the offseason could look like. Here’s what we’ll do in this piece:

• Restructure contracts
• Make offseason trades
• Bring back Lions’ free agents
• Sign new free agents
• A seven-round Lions mock draft

Let’s jump into things with some restructuring and ways for the Lions to get extra money. We’re starting with just over $16 million to spend.

Note: That $16 million is with the projected cap rise. The cap is projected to go up from $279 million to $295 million. This also does not include the cap savings for Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow’s possible retirements.

Coming up with the money for the Lions

Restructure Jared Goff’s contract

The Lions can open up just over $40 million ($40.275 million) in cap space by restructuring Goff’s deal, using the void year he already has left available in his deal.

That’s a large chunk of the pie for the Lions. It doesn’t change the amount that Goff gets paid; it just spreads it out. We have a full explanation of how that works here.

Estimated cap space: $56,695,9569

Amon-Ra St. Brown restructure

St. Brown will have a $33 million cap hit in 2026, and it’s fully guaranteed. If the Lions convert most of his base salary to a bonus and add two void years to his deal, that could open up $21.5 million in cap space in 2026.

Estimated cap space: 78,195,969

Collecting rollover cap

Last year, the Lions ended free agency with the third most cap space, and they then decided to roll a lot of that over into 2026 at approximately $20,587,801.

Estimated cap space: $98,783,770

Offseason Trades for the Lions

Lions trade David Montgomery to the Las Vegas Raiders

Montgomery can both play that Knuckles role and that big brother role with a young Ashton Jeanty in Las Vegas. The Raiders would probably love to establish Fernando Mendoza’s run game in 2026, and having this dual-back system would work for sure. The Lions get a 2026 fifth-round pick in return.

Estimated cap space: $102.283,770

Bringing back the Lions’ own free agents

DT Roy Lopez

Lopez had a great season for the Lions. He was one of those guys who made you wonder why he didn’t play more. About halfway through the year, the Lions realized what they had in him, and he became a tremendous run-stopper for them, even showing he can get after the quarterback.

Contract details: 2 years, $7.5 million ($3 million cap hit in 2026)
Estimated cap space available: $99,283,770

Edge Al-Quadin Muhammad

Muhammad had a career season in 2025, recording 11 sacks after never having more than six. The Lions should be looking to find their next big thing opposite Aidan Hutchinson, but they should also be looking to keep Muhammad as a premium depth piece.

Contract details: 2 years, $14 million ($5 million cap hit in 2026)
Estimated cap space available: $94,283,770

Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez

Rodriguez is likely to be a major part of the Lions’ future at linebacker, not to a starter level, but as a key backup. On top of that, he’s great on special teams, and the Lions value that unit a lot.

Contract details: 2 years, $6 million ($2.64 million cap hit in 2026)
Estimated cap space available: $91,643,770

• LB Grant Stuard: 2 years, $4.5 million ($2.04 million cap hit in 2026)
• CB Rock Ya-Sin: 1 year, $3.75 million
• K Jake Bates: 1 year, $1.125 million (Bates is an exclusive rights free agent)
• WR Tom Kennedy: 1 year, $1.5 million

Estimated cap space going into free agency: $83,228,770

Detroit Lions 2025 free agent predictions

Center Hjalte Froholdt

I know everyone wants Tyler Linderbaum or Connor McGovern, but it’s highly unlikely either will reach the open market. Froholdt has been a solid starting center in Arizona over the last three years.

He can pass block and, more importantly, he can run block. In 2024, he had one of the highest run-blocking grades in the league among centers, according to Pro Football Focus. On the pass blocking side, he allowed just one sack in 2025. Froholdt is not yet a free agent, but the Cardinals are likely to cut him ahead of free agency as a cost-cutting measure.

Contract details: 2 years, $7.5 million ($3.875 million cap hit in 2026)
Estimated cap space available after signing: $79,353,770

Edge Kwity Paye

The Lions find their next starting edge rusher, and it’s a Michigan Wolverine reunion between Aidan Hutchinson and his old running mate Paye. These guys caused problems together in the Big Ten.

Paye had a down year in 2025, but being able to capitalize on the attention Hutchinson gets would be a huge help in getting him right back on track.

Contract details: 4 years, $72 million ($10 million cap hit in 2026)
Estimated cap space available after signing: $69,353,770

Tight end Isaiah Likely

The Lions are about run a very tight end-heavy scheme in 2026, and even if Sam LaPorta is back in time, this scheme requires having a guy who can do damage next to him. It helps that he’s a solid pass blocker and run blocker.

Contract details: 4 years, $52 million ($6.75 million cap hit in 2026)
Estimated cap space available after signing: $62,603,770

CB Alontae Taylor

The Lions are probably not likely to bring back Amik Robertson, so grabbing a cornerback who can play in the slot is important. The Lions get a veteran guy with Taylor, who is coming off a strong season with the Saints.

Contract details: 4 years, $12 million ($5.5 million cap hit in 2026)
Estimated cap space available after signing: $57,103,770

OT Jonah Williams

Dan Skipper is likely to retire, so the Lions need a new swing tackle who can come in and play well right away. Williams has been a starter for the Bengals and the Cardinals, but injuries have limited his availability.

Playing a role like this can preserve his time and his body. But, if needed, he can start for the Lions while they bring along their left tackle of the future.

Contract details: 2 years, $12 million ($3.75 million cap hit in 2026)
Estimated cap space available after signing: $53,353,770

Lions extensions

Lions make Jack Campbell NFL’s highest-paid linebacker

The first team All-Pro will get paid this offseason. There’s no doubt about that in my mind. When you have the best linebacker in the league, you have to pay him like it.

That’s the cost of drafting really well. Keep in mind that the Lions like to structure their extensions with void years and guaranteed money up front so they can keep up front cap hits lower.

Contract details: 5 years, $116 million ($10 million cap hit in 2026), $42 million guaranteed
Estimated cap space after extension: $43,353,770

Lions make Jahmyr Gibbs NFL’s highest-paid running back

Again, the Lions love this guy, and their whole offense runs through him. I know people say things like “you don’t pay running backs,” but there are some running backs who you definitely pay, and Gibbs is one of them.

Contract details: 5 years, $68 million (1.5 million), $55 million guaranteed (part of that is his fifth-year option)
Estimated cap space after extension: $41,853,770

7-round Detroit Lions mock draft

Round 1, pick 17: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

The Lions need a tackle, no matter what happens with Decker. Lomu is one of the best tackles in the draft, and a guy who can play on either side of the offensive line. So if the plan is move Penei Sewell to the left, Lomu actually fits better on the right.

Round 2, pick 50: Kamari Ramsey, S, USC

We don’t know what the future looks like for Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph just yet, and there aren’t any safeties worth selling the farm for in free agency.

Here, the Lions get the second-best safety on the board and a guy who can come and play right away with Thomas Harper, while the Lions presumably wait to get one or both guys back.

Round 4, pick 118: Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State

With Montgomery gone, the Lions need their next RB2, and Allen is essentially a younger version of Montgomery, but maybe a better pass blocker and a slightly better receiver, too.

Round 5, pick 150: Carson Beck, QB, Miami

With Kyle Allen not coming back in this exercise, the Lions need their QB2. With this move, they can kill two birds with one stone. They get their backup, and maybe someone who can take over the starting job at the end of the decade after a few years of developing.

• 174th pick (from Raiders in mock Montgomery trade): Nadame Tucker, Edge, Western Michigan
• 180th pick: Dallen Bentley, TE, Utah
• 187th pick: Ethan Onianwa, OL, Ohio State
• 204th pick: Jeadyn Lukus, CB, Clemson
• 22nd pick: Jack Velling, TE, Michigan State

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