The offseason is over for the Detroit Lions. At least the part that everyone really cares about. Free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft.

With that in mind, I think it’s time to take a beat and look back on everything the Lions did during the offseason and give this thing a grade. Let’s start with free agency.

Grading the Lions’ free agency

I know there are no big names, and Lions fans wanted big names or players that moved the needle. At the end of the day, the needle is different for everyone and doesn’t really exist.

What the Lions got was a starting edge rusher in Wonnum, a starting center in Mays, a starting caliber tackle in Borom, and a starting slot cornerback in Roger McCreary. Beyond that, they have some really solid depth and competition elsewhere.

I especially like what the Lions did in the secondary to make sure they have a ton of depth and have guys who can start in case injuries occur. A lot of attention was paid to that area this offseason.

I do think the Lions could have paid a little more attention to their defensive line in free agency. I think there were some good edges out there that didn’t cost an arm and a leg that got left on the table. But ultimately, they recovered in the draft.

The Lions missed a little bit here. Especially on the interior of their defensive line. Roy Lopez is someone I felt Detroit would absolutely look to retain. That didn’t happen. DJ Reader felt like less of a keeper, but it might have made sense in the end. The Lions don’t have enough on the interior.

Keeping Ya-Sin, Bates, Maddox, and Nowaske are really underrated movies for sure. All four of those guys could play important roles one way or another this coming season.

Free Agency Grade: B-

Grading the Lions Draft

The draft felt like a real return to form for Lions GM Brad Holmes after 2024 and 2025 were kind of weird drafts with a lot of developmental guys. In this draft, it feels like every single guy can contribute in 2026, and some of them should be expected to start.

Miller, Moore, and Abney are all likely Week 1 starters for the Lions and solve some big problems this team has had for a minute now. It also scratches an itch Lions fans have had for a couple of years now.

Law is really the only pick here that you probably have to wait a bit for. Maybe he contributes on special teams this year, but he’s more likely to have to wait for Greg Dortch to not be around anymore.

I really don’t have many negative things to say about this draft. As I said, Law might take a minute, and I think they could have gotten West as a UDFA. But that’s really all I have to say.

Draft Grade: A

Final Grade for the offseason: B+

I’m sure some fans won’t agree because the Lions didn’t really make the splash move outside of Mays. But this is a solid offseason for Detroit. Free agency on its own can be scary, but when you see the draft mixed in with it, you really see the vision.

The Lions walked out of the offseason with a much-improved offensive line, a very deep secondary, and a strong defensive line. They could maybe use just a few more little pieces on the latter, and they’re in good shape. This team can absolutely contend in 2026.

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