Best landing spots for five of the Lions’ top free agents if they don’t return to Detroit

If these guys are leaving Detroit, they’ll fit well with these teams

Mike Payton — Detroit Lions Beat Writer
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Right now, we’re in the cap casualty/re-signing players/restructuring players section of the offseason. In the next couple of weeks, we will know who is coming back to the Detroit Lions and who isn’t.

The focus of this piece is on the idea that these guys may not come back. The Lions have some guys they want to keep and might not be able to, and they have some guys that they’re looking to part with. Let’s talk about where those guys would best fit if they don’t come back to the Lions.

Alex Anzalone, New York Jets

It’s a bit too easy, right? Anzalone was with Aaron Glenn in New Orleans and Detroit, and now he heads to the Big Apple with him. The thing is that Anzalone actually fits the Jets’ defense, and with Quincy Williams having a really rough 2025 and hitting free agency, there’s a spot ready for him right there.

DJ Reader, Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals fans actually really want this to happen. They need help on the interior of their defensive line, and here’s a guy that they already know works there. Reader coming back to Detroit just doesn’t seem like it’s going to happen, so it makes sense that he would go back to the Bengals, where he fits a lot more.

Kalif Raymond, Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons are in need of a return man after they moved on from Ray-Ray McCloud midseason. They could also use a slot/gadget receiver like Raymond. With Detroit having Dominic Lovett waiting in the wings, it would seem they’re moving on from the long-time Lion. Atlanta makes a lot of sense.

Amik Robertson, Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks usually like the type of aggressive cornerback that Robertson is. They need to strengthen their cornerback room outside of Devon Witherspoon and add some depth. Robertson does that for Seattle. He can give them help in the slot and work as a part of their rotation.

Marcus Davenport, New England Patriots

I know Lions fans were not huge fans of him, but Davenport plays a role that a lot of teams are interested in. That is, if he’s able to stay healthy. The Patriots could use a guy like that who can work in their rotation. They would probably not mind paying the league minimum for it either.

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