The first day of NFL free agency is out of the way, and the Detroit Lions made two moves. They signed their new starting center, Cade Mays, and their new swing tackle, Larry Borom. So what’s next? Who’s left? Here are the best options at the Lions’ positions of need:

Edge rusher

Trey Hendrickson

It’s surprising to see Hendrickson make it to Day 2. I thought for sure he’d be one of the first free agents off the board. We don’t know how rich the Lions want to get with their deals right now, but if they’re willing, this is a smart move where Detroit can get a good player who will make a decent amount of money, and the Lions can make the move a little more team-friendly.

Cameron Jordan

This one just makes too much sense. Jordan is finally about to leave New Orleans, and the best place for him to go, in my opinion, is Detroit. A defense that knows how to use him and is built based on Dennis Allen’s defense in New Orleans. The Lions could do a one-year deal, and Jordan can put up numbers as he did in 2025, while also being a guiding light for the rookie edge the Lions are expected to draft.

Al-Quadin Muhammad

This makes the most sense. Even more sense than Jordan. Muhammad has been good for the Lions. Just bringing him back and have him rotate in with that rookie edge rusher the Lions are likely to draft. He’s also probably going to be a pretty affordable option.

Other edges to watch

• K’Lavon Chassion
• Jadeveon Clowney
• Malcolm Koonce – Returned to Raiders
• Jacob Martin

Tight End

David Njoku

He can pass block, he can run block, and he can be a playmaker. It’s the perfect fit for the Lions offense with and without Sam LaPorta. That is, if the Lions see tight end as a position they’d like to fill in free agency. There are some good prospects in the draft who fit.

Other tight ends to watch

• Dallas Goedert
• Chig Okonkwo

Quarterback

Trey Lance

The Lions are going to need their next QB2 now that Kyle Allen is heading to Buffalo. Lance gives them a young quarterback who really showed what he was capable of in Los Angeles this year. With all the quarterback coaches and former quarterbacks on this coaching staff, Lance would have a lot of guys to continue his learning journey with.

Joe Flacco

Flacco might want to start somewhere, but that’s not happening. In Detroit, he can come off the bench and be a premium option to fall back on if Jared Goff has to miss time for something.

Jimmy Garoppolo

A long-time starter for the Rams and Raiders. He has the ability to come in and manage a game if needed. The only concern is that he might want more than anyone else to do it.

Other quarterbacks to watch

• Russell Wilson
• Tyrod Taylor
• Teddy Bridgewater

Running Back

Brian Robinson Jr.

Robinson backed up Christian McCaffrey for the 49ers in 2025 after San Francisco traded for him. Robinson runs the ball pretty similarly to Montgomery. They’re both power backs who have some shiftiness to them, and they both backed up two of the premier elusive backs in the NFL.

Other running backs to watch

• Rachaard White
• Kareem Hunt
• Isaiah Pacheco

Cornerback

Eric Stokes – Returned to the Raiders

Probably the best fit for the Lions on the market right now. It should be expected that Detroit looks to fill the cornerback spot in the draft. But if they don’t, it’s hard to see them go after a guy who can’t play in the slot. Alontae Taylor would have been perfect, but he’s gone.

Other cornerbacks to watch

• Riq Woolen
• Nahshon Wright
• Roger McCreary
• Greg Newsome

Safety

Jaquan Brisker

We don’t know what the Lions’ safety room is going to look like at the start of the season. What we do know is that some depth would be good and Brisker can come in and start right away if the Lions have to wait on Brian Branch or Kerby Joseph.

Other safeties to watch

• Nick Cross
• Alohi Gillman – Signed with Chiefs
• Jaylinn Hawkins

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