Detroit Lions' NFL free agency rumor tracker 2024: Latest updates and analysis

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Detroit Lions' NFL free agency rumor tracker 2024: Latest updates and analysis

Marlowe Alter, Detroit Free Press · Detroit Free Press

Thu, Mar 14, 2024 ·

16 min read

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The Detroit Lions have been busy to start 2024 NFL free agency , and you can now follow all the latest reputable rumors and reported deals in one spot.

Free agency officially opened Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the start of the new league year, when unrestricted free agents can sign contracts and trades can become official. The flurry began Monday at noon with the legal tampering period.

The Lions entered Monday with about $45 million in cap space, ninth most in the league, according to overthecap.com, though much of that will remain untouched to stay available during next season.

The Lions had around $29 million in space, 10th most in the NFL according to overthecap.com , after Wednesday's first official day.

It is the time to shine for Lions general manager Brad Holmes.

General manager Brad Holmes stuck to the plan on Day 1 of free agency , re-signing offensive lineman Graham Glasgow , signing edge Marcus Davenport and trading for cornerback Carlton Davis .

The Lions on Tuesday signed depth cornerback Amik Robertson away from Las Vegas .

Wednesday brought some interesting tidbits as well.

Here's a recap of what happened in the first three days of free agency.

Here were updates from the Lions' opening to free agency. Be sure to follow our Lions beat writer Dave Birkett and Free Press sports on X (formerly Twitter).

[ Lions fans: Celebrate the team's renaissance 2023 season with a new book from the Free Press, "From Grit to Glory." ]

Detroit Lions free agency 2024 latest updates

Chargers release WR Mike Williams

Date:Wednesday, March 13

Source: Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams can't catch up to an overthrown pass while defended by Tennessee Titans cornerback Tre Avery at Nissan Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.

Williams, 29, was one of four big names ( Keenan Allen , Joey Bosa , Khalil Mack ) with gigantic salaries to watch on new head coach Jim Harbaugh's cap-strapped Chargers. L.A. is now cap compliant with the release of Williams, and Mack is expected to stay on with a restructured deal, ESPN reported .

"There should be plenty of suitors," ESPN's Mike Clay wrote on X after news of Williams' release broke, listing the Lions among a handful of teams who could be a fit.

Receiver is a sneaky need for the Lions, with starter Josh Reynolds hitting free agency . Williams, 6 feet 4, is the big body receiver the Lions don't currently have, and could be a nice complement to Amon-Ra St. Brown in the slot with Jameson Williams providing speed on the outside. It will be interesting to see what Mike Williams' market is since he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in September. The former No. 7 overall pick out of Clemson in 2017 had played in at least 13 games the past five seasons prior to three games in 2023. He was off to another fast start last season with 19 catches for 249 yards and a touchdown. Williams had 63 catches for 895 yards and four scores in 2022 over 13 games, and 76 receptions for 1,146 yards and nine scores in 16 games in 2021. —Marlowe Alter

ANALYSIS: Lions fans wanted a Happy Meal, but Brad Holmes gave them black coffee in free agency

Lions interested in 49ers DL Arik Armstead

Date:Wednesday, March 13

Source: KPRC 2 Houston (NBC affiliate)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is tackled by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead in the first half in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium, Feb. 11, 2024.

The Lions are reportedly interested in the services of 49ers defensive tackle Arik Armstead, who is expected to be released by San Francisco ahead of the 4 p.m. start of the league year to save cap space. Armstead is the latest defensive tackle linked to Detroit as the Lions attempt to beef up their defensive line. They are also linked to former Bengal D.J. Reader, who is scheduled for a meeting with the team Thursday. Armstead has been a constant part of San Francisco's defensive line since being drafted in the first round by the 49ers in 2015 with the ability to play both inside and outside.

He finished with five sacks , 13 quarterback hits and 27 combined tackles in 12 regular season games in 2023, and appeared in all three of San Francisco's playoff games. Armstead missed 13 combined games in 2022 and 2023 due to ankle and knee injuries. The Armstead rumor was brought up by KPRC's Aaron Wilson, who covers the Texans , as he was reporting Houston 's trade of DT Maliek Collins to San Francisco. — Jared Ramsey

Lions to host run-stuffing tackle D.J. Reader

Date:Wednesday, March 13

Source: NFL Network, Bleacher Report

Reader, a defensive tackle, is expected to visit with the Lions on Thursday . The Lions are in need of more talent up front, whether it be at tackle or edge. Reader is a productive run-stopper, but ended the season with the Cincinnati Bengals on injured reserve after suffering a torn right quad tendon in December. Reader, 29, had 34 tackles and one sack last season. He missed most of the 2020 season with a torn left quad. Reader missed six games in 2022 after a knee injury. —Marlowe Alter

Lions lose swag as C.J. Gardner-Johnson departs for Eagles

Date:Tuesday, March 12

Source: Detroit Free Press

Last season's key acquisition is leaving the Lions after one season. Gardner-Johnson, who signed a one-year deal last March , is heading back to where he came from: the Philadelphia Eagles . The 26-year-old versatile safety gets a three-year deal to reclaim his role in an Eagles secondary that crumbled in the second half of the 2023 season. He had an NFL-leading six interceptions in 2022 in just 12 games, after the Eagles acquired him from New Orleans . His only season in Detroit was a test, as he tore his pectoral muscle in Week 2. He was expected to miss the rest of the season, but returned in Week 18, and played in all three playoff games as the Lions used a three-man safety rotation. He had two picks, one in the postseason, in six total games for the Lions, who will start the young duo of Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melfionwu at safety. They combined for six interceptions in 21 regular season starts last season.

Gardner-Johnson brought belief to the Lions' locker room, and fans immediately took a liking to him. He said after signing that the Lions' roster was even better than his Eagles team that had just lost in the Super Bowl. It seemed far-fetched at the time, but he wasn't far off. —Marlowe Alter

Lions continue to rebuild secondary with Amik Robertson

Date:Tuesday, March 12

Source: NFL Network

The Lions' quest to remake their secondary continued by signing cornerback Amik Robertson to a two-year deal, with a maximum value of $10.75 million and a $3.3 million signing bonus. Though small in stature (5 feet 9), Robertson should ability to play outside and the slot corner positions while playing in all 17 regular season games each of the last two seasons.

So now, Robertson joins Carlton Davis , whom the team traded for on Monday, and last year's projected starting corners, Cam Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley . —Kirkland Crawford

DAVE BIRKETT: Brad Holmes sticks to plan as Detroit Lions bolster roster on Day 1 of free agency

Lions fans want a sack master: Danielle Hunter

Date:Tuesday, March 12

Source: Detroit Free Press

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter reacts after a sack vs. the Detroit Lions during the first quarter Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Minneapolis.

Update:Hunter signed for two years and $49 million with Houston.

We asked fans to vote Sunday and Monday on the one big move they want to see the Lions make this offseason. And there was a resounding result: Danielle Hunter, defensive end, Minnesota Vikings .

Hunter garnered 795 (33.3%) of the 2,387 votes in the freep.com poll . Hunter, 29, is a familiar face to Lions fans, spending his entire eight-year career in purple and white. He was dominant last season with 16½ sacks , four forced fumbles and tied for the NFL lead with 23 tackles for loss . He's a four-time Pro Bowl selection (2018-19 and 2022-23) and has played every game the past two seasons. The Vikings have signed two pass rushers already in free agency, so Hunter is likely looking elsewhere. But would the Lions pony up big money to pair him with Aidan Hutchinson ? That remains to be seen. They already went bargain bin shopping at defensive end, adding Hunter's teammate in Marcus Davenport .

The second most favored move by Lions fans is to trade for L'Jarius Sneed, Kansas City Chiefs cornerback, who earned 484 votes (20.3%). Dave Birkett, Free Press Lions beat writer, made the case for and against trading for the 27-year-old playmaker . And for the record, he was #TeamSneed . But that now seems extremely unlikely with the acquisitions of Davis and Robertson. —Marlowe Alter

Lions address CB need with trade for Carlton Davis

Date:Monday, March 11

Source:Detroit Free Press

Based on how the roster looked entering the offseason, the Lions needed a No. 1 cornerback. They seemed to acquire one via trade, sending a 2024 third-round pick to Tampa Bay for Carlton Davis and 2024 and 2025 sixth-round picks .

Davis, 28, had two interceptions and nine passes defended in 12 games last season for the Buccaneers, who were 29th in the NFL in pass defense last season. He has above average size (6 feet 1, 206 pounds) and had the versatility to play all over the secondary. He's on the final year of his three-year, $44.5 million contract. —Kirkland Crawford

Lions add Marcus Davenport to pass rush

Date:Monday, March 11

Source:NFL Network

The Lions needed to add some firepower to a pass rush that was ranked 27th in the league last season. They may have done just that by agreeing to a one-year deal with Marcus Davenport , who spent last season with the Vikings.

The 28-year-old was a first-round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints in 2018, where he played for a coaching staff that employed Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn. His best days may be behind him: he had nine sacks in 11 games in 2021. Since then, he has recorded 2.5 sacks in 19 games. He played in only four games due to an ankle injury in his lone season with the Vikings. —Kirkland Crawford

Lions would be awesome with Tee Higgins , Dan Orlvosky says

Date:Monday, March 11

Source:ESPN's NFL Live

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins makes a catch and runs for a touchdown against Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey in the third quarter of Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium, Feb. 13, 2022.

Orlovsky, the former Lions backup quarterback and current ESPN analyst, said Monday afternoon the Lions would be "as explosive a unit as we have in the NFL" if they added Higgins. He would likely cost them the No. 29 overall pick in April's draft.

Higgins was given the franchise tag for $21.8 million by the Cincinnati Bengals, and ESPN reported Monday he has requested a trade . The Bengals are expected to extend the contract of three-time Pro Bowl receiver Ja'Marr Chase this offseason.

"Tee is a (number) 1 for many teams, for most teams," fellow analyst Louis Riddick said, adding he doesn't think the Bengals can pay Higgins what he wants. The parties have until July 15 to agree to a long-term deal.

Alongside Orlovsky, analyst Mina Kimes said to watch teams picking at the end of the first round or early in the second round, which could be fair draft compensation. Kimes pinpointed both New England and Carolina as destinations for the 25-year-old Higgins, who has 24 touchdown catches in 58 regular season games across four seasons. Orlovsky also likes Tennessee as an option, and Riddick mentioned the New York Giants and Arizona .

As we wrote a few entries below this, the Lions have a need at outside receiver with starter Josh Reynolds hitting free agency. Slot standout Amon-Ra St. Brown is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and is expected to earn a new contract before the season that pays him around $25 million annually . The Lions also have a developing Jameson Williams, whom they spent the No. 12 overall pick on in 2022, and expect him to take a bigger role in 2024 . "He is going to push to be a full-time starter now and that's what we're looking for," Campbell said at the NFL combine in late February. —Marlowe Alter

MORE: NFL mock draft 2.0: Detroit Lions bolster trenches with big OL

Lions lose Jonah Jackson to Rams

Date:Monday, March 11

Source: Detroit Free Press

Jackson, the Lions' best internal free agent , will sign for $34 million guaranteed in Los Angeles on a three-year, $51 million contract, joining the team the Lions defeated in last season's wild-card game, 24-23. He will now protect quarterback Matthew Stafford . The Lions will host Jackson, Stafford and the Rams as part of their tough 2024 schedule they draw as NFC North Division champions. The exact date will be known when the NFL releases its full schedule, typically in May.

The Lions earlier in the day agreed on a new three-year contract with Graham Glasgow, so they will return four-fifths of their starting offensive line, a huge key to their success last season. The Lions have Colby Sorsdal , a fifth-round pick last season, and Kayode Awosika , a 25-year-old exclusive rights free agent, who started three games during the regular season and started in the NFC championship game when Jackson was out with a knee injury. The Lions could also look to the free agent market for competition and/or the draft. —Marlowe Alter

3 potential Lions defensive line targets off the board

Date:Monday, March 11

Source:Multiple

Three of the top 10 players Free Press beat writer Dave Birkett identified as Lions fits will be signing with new teams: Miami defensive tackle Christian Wilkins is off to the Las Vegas Raiders , Houston edge rusher Jonathan Greenard is coming to the NFC North with the Minnesota Vikings and Jets edge rusher Bryce Huff is going to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Wilkins reportedly will get $84.7 million guaranteed on his four-year, $110 million deal. Greenard will sign a four-year contract worth $76 million that includes $42 million guaranteed . Huff agreed to a three-year deal worth $51.1 million. Huff's addition means the Eagles are more likely to trade either Haason Reddick or Josh Sweat .

The best free agent defensive lineman might be the Vikings' Danielle Hunter, who had 16½ sacks last season, fifth in the league. He's 29 and looks done in Minnesota after the Greenard signing. The Vikings also secured Dolphins edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel on a two-year deal. —Marlowe Alter

THE TARGETS: Lions top 10 NFL free agent fits: Here's who Brad Holmes should go after

Lions will face D'Andre Swift twice a year

Date:Monday, March 11

Source:NFL.com and ESPN

Swift, a 2020 second-round pick by the Lions, will sign a three-year, $24 million deal with the Chicago Bears , according to multiple reports. The deal is expected to include $15.3 million guaranteed . Swift ran for a career-best 1,049 yards with the Philadelphia Eagles last season in 16 games, after the Lions traded him at last year's NFL draft for a 2025 fourth-round pick and 2023 seventh-round swaps.

The Lions and Bears have now exchanged running backs from the 2022 season: The Lions signed Chicago's David Montgomery last offseason. They'll now face their former playmaker in Swift, 25, who could never quite stay healthy enough and earn the trust of Campbell, after being drafted by the previous regime No. 35 overall out of Georgia. —Marlowe Alter

Tee Higgins requests trade from Bengals; will Lions be a factor?

Date:Monday, March 11

Source: ESPN

The Cincinnati Bengals gave Higgins the franchise tag on Feb. 26, but the receiver has now asked to be dealt after having no new contract extension talks for the past year, ESPN reports. Higgins, 25, had a down season in 2023 while dealing with injury, but is a big 6-foot-4 receiver who is strong on contested catches, and has 24 touchdown receptions in the regular season since being drafted No. 33 overall in 2020 out of Clemson.

The Lions do have a need out wide , with starter Josh Reynolds and backup Donovan Peoples-Jones both set to become unrestricted free agents Wednesday. Higgins would be a great fit for the Lions on paper complementing Amon-Ra St. Brown in the slot and Jameson Williams on the outside. Yet it seems a long shot since Brown is due for a big extension , and the Lions spent a first-round pick on Williams two years ago and expect him to take an expanded role this season . —Marlowe Alter

Graham Glasgow re-signs with Lions

Date:Monday, March 11

Source: Detroit Free Press

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) talks to guard Graham Glasgow (60) before a snap against Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023.

The Lions are bringing back one of their interior lineman on one of the league's preeminent offensive lines, re-signing Graham Glasgow to a three-year deal worth $20 million . The deal includes $9.5 million guaranteed for Glasgow, who is 6 feet 6 and 315 pounds, with experience at both guard spots and center.

Glasgow, who turns 32 in August, was originally a third-round pick by the Lions in 2016 out of Michigan, and spent his first four seasons in Detroit, before signing in free agency with Denver and spending three seasons there. He was released ahead of the 2023 offseason, and came back to the Lions on a one-year deal. He played in all 20 games last season and started 18, including all three in the playoffs at right guard. He has played in 116 career games with 106 starts over eight NFL seasons.

The Lions lost starting left guard Jonah Jackson to the Rams later Monday afternoon. Backups Colby Sorsdal , a fifth-round pick last season, and Kayode Awosika , an exclusive rights free agent, should return. —Marlowe Alter

Here are the Lions' most pressing roster needs

Date:Friday, March 8

Source: Detroit Free Press

Birkett wrote about and ranked the Lions' needs this offseason , putting cornerback at the top of the list. The Lions will have more than a dozen unrestricted free agents and more than a quarter are in the defensive backfield with Kindle Vildor , Jerry Jacobs , Will Harris, Khalil Dorsey , and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. (Jacobs was restricted, but will be unrestricted Wednesday, after the Lions declined to tender him an offer , and already tweeted a goodbye message.)

Defensive line is the second most important need, Birkett says, and there are a number of productive free agents they could target . Among the most notable: edge rushers Danielle Hunter (Minnesota Vikings), Jonathan Greenard, (Houston Texans) and Bryce Huff (New York Jets), and inside with Christian Wilkins ( Miami Dolphins ) and D.J. Reader (Cincinnati Bengals).

Read the entire story , marked for subscribers. (Not yet a subscriber? We'd love to have you support our work, giving you access to all our published stories on freep.com, including on the Lions all year round.) —Marlowe Alter

ANALYSIS: Trust us: The Detroit Lions can't get enough big men to build around

Lions make a call to the Chiefs

Date:Tuesday, March 5

Source: USA TODAY

The Lions were reportedly one of seven teams who inquired about cornerback L'Jarius Sneed once the Kansas City Chiefs officially designated him their franchise player, and he's top of the market.

We broke down the pros and cons of the Lions trading for him , and the potential cost. Sneed, 27, would make $19.8 million on the tag, but can work out a long-term deal with the Chiefs or a team that deals for him. —Marlowe Alter

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions' NFL free agency rumor tracker 2024: Latest updates here

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