We’re here, Detroit Lions fans. NFL free agency starts on Monday at 12 P.M. ET when the legal tampering period begins. Knowing everything that we know at this point, we’re ready to make some predictions. Here are 10 things we believe happen for Detroit.

The Lions make a splash-ish move at center

There is no position the Lions need to fill more than center. Not a tackle, not an edge rusher, not a running back. Who that splash is going to be is going to come down to three different guys. There’s the biggest splash with Tyler Linderbaum, and then there are medium splashes with Cade Mays or a trade for Hjalte Froholdt. The Lions wind up with one of these guys.

Alex Anzalone will not be returning to Detroit

The Lions will not be bringing back Anzalone. In fact, we’ll throw a little bonus prediction in here and say that he’s going to the Jets. The Lions are going to get younger at linebacker this year, and there are some strong linebackers in the draft who can help them do that. Another bonus prediction, that guy is Kyle Louis from Pitt.

The Lions do not get involved with any big free agent tackles

The Lions’ next move at tackle has to be made during the draft, where there is a pretty deep tackle class. If the Lions do sign a tackle in free agency, expect him to be a guy who is probably not going to start for Detroit, but could be the guy who takes over at the swing tackle spot for Dan Skipper.

The Lions make another trade

With the draft moving more towards tackles and the offensive line, the Lions might want to see what kind of edge rusher they can pull via trade. Don’t expect a blockbuster-type trade, but I would predict the Lions will find someone on a rookie deal they can select with an early Day 3 pick. That trade for Hjalte Forholdt makes a lot of sense.

The Lions bring back Roy Lopez

With DJ Reader likely gone, the Lions would be wise to bring back Lopez to help with run-stopping and pass rush. A rotation of Alim McNeill, Tyleik Williams, and Lopez is a strong trio. Lopez is really the only free agent I feel 100% comfortable predicting will return.

The Lions sign a premium backup quarterback

Kyle Allen is good, but I predict the Lions will find a backup they feel comfortable with, someone they trust to step in if needed and would keep things going in Detroit. I’m keeping a very close eye on what’s going on in Arizona. If they part with Jacoby Brissett, that’s the guy right there. Outside of him, there’s Trey Lance, Jimmy Garoppolo, Marcus Mariota, or Teddy Bridgewater.

The Lions add a solid tight end

For me, David Njoku is the perfect fit for the Lions. He can block, he catch and he just fits the Lions’ culture. Other names to watch are Taysom Hill, Jonnu Smith, Tyler Conklin, or Austin Hooper.

The Lions bolster their secondary with veteran cornerback help

There is some help out there in the draft, but if the Lions are looking to bolster depth and maybe even find a starting slot corner, free agency is the place to do it. The guy I have my eye on the most is Alontae Taylor. he could start in the slot right away and would help with Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed.

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