We are less than a week away from the super fun chaos that is NFL free agency. The Detroit Lions are expected to be buyers this time around and they are expected to make some moves with the Super Bowl in mind.

There's a fantasy out there where the Lions trade for Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett and we all live happily ever after, but it's just not going to happen, but that does not mean that the Lions can't go out there and make some big time moves while also being financially smart.

Here is what the perfect free agency period looks like for the Lions. We've found seven players that would change the game for this team. 

Edge Khalil Mack 

Projected cost: Two-year deal worth $45 million

It's not Myles Garrett or Maxx Crosby, but here's the Lions' chance to have a premier pass rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson without having to compromise the future in which they're trying to keep Sam LaPorta, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, and Brian Branch. Mack may be on the older side of things, but he is still a very good player in the same vein as Calais Campbell. Age does not seem to be a factor for him. Plus the Lions don't have to use draft assets to acquire him. 

Edge Azeez Ojulari

Projected cost: Two-year deal worth $10 million

Dread it. Run from it. Brad Holmes signing good players with injury histories arrives all the same. This is something the Lions like to do and there's value in doing it when it works out. Ojulari has shown to be a good pass rusher in a rotation. He had seven sacks last season working in with Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns. It's the same role he would have in Detroit and he would come on a cheap, incentive-laden deal to make it happen. 

The number of times that Brad Holmes talked about depth at the Combine should really show how much they're diving into it this offseason.

CB Paulson Adebo

Projected cost: Three-year deal worth $33.75 million

You'd hate to see it happen, but the reality right now feels like Carlton Davis is likely to get a huge deal from another team. The Jaguars in particular are expected to be heavily interested in him. That's ok though because in this scenario the Lions get a younger corner who has a lot going for him.

He is coming off an injury in 2024, but he was having a very good season ahead of that and his 2023 season was a breakout year. Adebo showed to be a ball hawk with four picks and 11 pass breakups in 2023 and then three picks and seven pass breakups in seven games in 2024. Adebo could take that CB1 spot and he, Arnold, and Robertson would be a formidable group for sure. 

CB Darius Slay

Projected cost: One-year deal worth $7 million

We already know that Slay wants to play one more year and we know that he wants to play for the Lions. There's a good chance the Lions want that too because like we said, this team wants depth in 2025. They do not want a repeat of 2024 where they're signing guys off the street trying to win it all. 

Slay is not the All-Pro he was with the Lions on the first go around, but he is still a very good depth cornerback that can get on the field and make things happen for Detroit. He had 16 pass break ups last year. Plus the nostalgia alone is too much to turn down. 

G Brandon Scherff

Projected Cost: Two-year deal worth $13 million

We've already projected that the Lions will bring back Kevin Zeitler. This move happens in addition to that. There's a lot of questions about Graham Glasgow right now and the Lions might find themselves parting ways with him as a cost-cutting move this offseason. While Mahogany could be ready to go, it might be better to let him marinate on the bench for one more year. Remember he didn't have a full season last year. 

Scherff and Zietler on the inside with Ragnow makes the best offensive line in the NFL way better if you can imagine that. This guy is still very good. He did not allow a single sack in 2024. 

WR Keenan Allen

Projected cost: Two-year deal worth $24 million

There's just no way this team goes into another offseason so short on receivers like they did last year. I love Tim Patrick as much as you do, but this is a chance for Detroit to have a very steady WR3 who still has a lot to offer. You might remember that Allen beat the hell out of the Lions last year. He gives Detroit a short-term answer while they groom the guy they draft to take over. 

QB Trey Lance

Projected cost: One-year deal worth $4 million

Had to throw a project in there. It just makes too much sense with the Lions already having interest in him when the 49ers were trading him and his college OC being on Detroit's coaching staff too. Couple that with three former NFL quarterbacks on staff and John Morton who helped rebuild Goff's career. At such a cheap cost, there's really no reason not to try it. 

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