Grading how Detroit Lions filled position needs in free agency, draft
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As the offseason was just beginning, we ranked the Detroit Lions' biggest positional needs entering free agency.
While the Lions will be active in free agency throughout the summer to reach 90 players, most major offseason acquisitions already have been made.
In the spirit of reviewing the offseason that was, we're going to grade how the Lions filled their positional needs through a combination of free agency and the draft, ranked in descending order of urgency.
11. Running back
Even if the Lions had traded David Montgomery before our rankings dropped, we would have considered it a pretty low need. Jahmyr Gibbs is a bona fide superstar. But yes, the Lions did downgrade in swapping out Montgomery for Isiah Pacheco. We're just not sure it's going to matter all that much, and considering what they got in the trade for Montgomery, that deal was a big win.
▶ Grade: B+
10. Wide receiver
The Lions' receiving group was their strongest position entering the offseason, and frankly, there's an argument that they got better. They replaced Kalif Raymond with a younger, cheaper version in Greg Dortch, then added another speedster with upside as a returner in drafting Kendrick Law. They didn't try to do too much, just simple improvements around the margins that I think could pay dividends and strengthen an already talented room.
▶ Grade: A+
9. Defensive tackle
The Lions' returning group of Alim McNeill, Tyleik Williams, Levi Onwuzurike, Tyler Lacy and Mekhi Wingo was a good starting point entering the offseason. But after losing Roy Lopez — and DJ Reader looking like he won't come back — they were surprisingly quiet at this position until the draft, when they added Skyler Gill-Howard from Texas Tech in Round 6. Ultimately, this group is relying heavily on a big step forward from Williams, a clean bill of health for Onwuzurike, and a return to form for McNeill.
▶ Grade: B-
8. Quarterback
The Lions' starting job was obviously in good shape with Jared Goff, but after losing Kyle Allen, finding a competent backup was no layup. But they nailed it anyway, adding Teddy Bridgewater, a player who has ample experience backing up Goff in Detroit's system. Then they added a developmental option in signing Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer as a UDFA. Ultimately, the Lions had a good answer for Allen's departure, which was the sole mission of this offseason.
▶ Grade: A
7. Safety
Decision-makers seem optimistic that Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch will return to form, and if that is the case, not much insurance will be needed. Still, Detroit wasn't stagnant, adding versatile defensive back Christian Izien and Chuck Clark and re-signing Avonte Maddox and Thomas Harper. When you consider the investment they have made (and will continue to make) in the Joseph and Branch tandem, they did a fine job of filling out the rest of the depth chart, even if adding a safety in the draft really would have taken this grade over the top.
▶ Grade: A-
6. Tight end
The Lions made one significant move at tight end this offseason, adding Tyler Conklin via free agency on a one-year deal. All told, with Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright, this might be the most talented tight end room we've seen in Detroit. The Lions' need at this position was long-term, and as long as they get an extension done with LaPorta, it's not that big of a deal that neither Conklin nor Wright is under contract for next season. So while this grade could've been improved by adding a tight end in the draft, this group is in great shape for 2026.
▶ Grade: B+
5. Cornerback
Detroit's only known starting-level need at cornerback entering free agency was at nickel, and unlike the next position we're going to talk about, Detroit did an excellent job of stacking competition from the outside. They signed Roger McCreary, a former second-round pick, in free agency. They signed Izien, who has nickel experience and can also play safety. They drafted Keith Abney II, one of the steals of the draft, on Day 3 and plan to let him compete at nickel. They re-signed Rock Ya-Sin, Detroit's best outside corner a year ago, at a fair price. Like safety, when you consider the resources they already had committed to the position with D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold, the Lions did a tremendous job of filling in the cracks for 2026 while adding a high-upside rookie in Abney.
▶ Grade: A
4. Linebacker
The Lions needed to backfill the starting role of Alex Anzalone, one of the NFL's best coverage linebackers and a stalwart at Will linebacker over the last few seasons. Coming out of the draft, they don't have a clear starter. That's not necessarily the end of the world, especially after they drafted Jimmy Rolder from Michigan in the fourth round, re-signed Malcolm Rodriguez and added Damone Clark in free agency. Watch for UDFA Erick Hunter to make some noise in training camp, too. But while it's possible one of these players outperforms our projections, it's tough to argue this position group got better this offseason.
▶ Grade: C
3. Edge
The Lions' signing of Cade Mays didn't allow for a marquee signing at edge, but they did still improve the position in free agency by adding DJ Wonnum in free agency. He should be more impactful than Marcus Davenport on early downs and carries some pass-rushing upside. Then the Lions used their second-round pick to trade up for Michigan edge Derrick Moore, a well-rounded player who could develop into a nice pass-rushing option opposite Aidan Hutchinson. While we're not confident that Moore can replicate the 11-sack season of Al-Quadin Muhammad, who left in free agency, the rotation of Wonnum and Moore has the potential to be more impactful on a down-to-down basis than the rotation of Davenport and Muhammad. The Lions also signed Payton Turner and added edge Tyre West in the draft.
▶ Grade: A-
2. Offensive tackle
The Lions had everybody on edge with their tackle situation until drafting Blake Miller with their first-round pick, but in hindsight, their handling of this position was excellent this offseason.
They made a tough, emotionless decision to hold firm on a salary-reduction request for Taylor Decker, whose production was no longer matching his salary, and moved on from him when push came to shove. They signed Larry Borom, a player with 38 career starts, for depth. And then they finished rebuilding the position by drafting Miller. We don't know what Miller — or Borom, for that matter — will be this upcoming season, but the series of transactions was really impressive, allowing Detroit to get younger and improve their depth while infusing some exciting upside.
▶ Grade: A+
1. Interior offensive line
The Lions immediately solidified the center position by making Cade Mays the only multi-year signing they made this offseason. Detroit also added some competition at left guard, adding Juice Scruggs in a trade with the Houston Texans and Ben Bartch via free agency to battle it out with Christian Mahogany, the incumbent starter, and Miles Frazier, a former fifth-round pick who's entering his second season. We know what the Lions have in Tate Ratledge and Mays, and between those four competitors at left guard, you have to feel pretty good about the Lions' interior offensive line being a plus unit next fall, as well as the unit's future in the years beyond.
▶ Grade: A
nbianchi@detroitnews.com
@nolanbianchi
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Grading how Detroit Lions filled position needs in free agency, draft
