The Lions may not be in the market for any big remaming names, but there are some good players out there who fit what they're looking for
The Detroit Lions still have three open roster spots right now. Four, if you count the extra spot they get from Ahmed Hassanein having an international exemption.
This week, I wrote two stories about the guys the Lions aren't likely to go after. The big-name edge rushers they'll probably avoid and the former Colts Pro Bowl corner they don't need. Fans have been asking me who I think the Lions actually would sign. Here are eight guys who make sense:
I brought up Jones in an article on Thursday. The Lions could bring him back after he spent two years in Miami. He was a solid nose tackle for Detroit, and he can be that in a rotational depth sense this time around. Plus, he doesn't come anywhere close to breaking the bank.
Another guy I just wrote about. Gill is currently the UFL's sack leader, and once the spring season ends, he's likely to get another shot in the NFL. He gives the Lions some nice depth and can play well on special teams. Like Jones, he's also a former Lion.
The Lions did just pick up Jimmy Rolder in the fourth round to play Will linebacker, and I do believe he can land the starting spot. But he doesn't really have anyone to compete with there. Theoretically, it's Malcolm Rodriguez. Adding Pratt gives the Lions another veteran option at camp with starting Will linebacker experience. Even if he only starts half the season and gives the job to Rolder, it's worth it.
A former Lions second-round draft pick. It did not work out for him here, but then he went to the Patriots and started there for years. In a return to Detroit, Tavai would take that Will linebacker spot just like Pratt would, and he could be the starter while the Lions wait for Rolder to get ready to take over. At the very least, he's a great competition at the spot during training camp.
Epenesa did just get signed by the Browns during free agency, but then failed his physical, and the signing didn't go through. The Lions have their starter in Derrick Moore and their rotational guy with D.J. Wonnum, but one more guy doesn't hurt. Basically, the point here is that the Lions give him a physical and see if he can pass it, and then the defensive line gets even deeper. It's worth a look at the very least.
Danna was someone I previously thought the Lions should avoid. That was in the sense that they shouldn't look to have him as their starting edge or something like that. If the plan is to have Danna come in to be part of the rotation, that's not a horrible choice. He can get pressure for sure. He's been somewhat of a liability in the run game, though.
Banks is another guy in the UFL right now, and he's the league leader in pressures with 31. He also has five sacks. Banks is on the younger side as well. He's had some training camp opportunities with the Packers, Patriots, and Cardinals. You could see Detroit taking a look here.
One more UFL guy. Maxwell is the best interior run defender in the league, there. PFF has him graded out at 85.9 so far this season. I still think the Lions just need one more piece, and Maxwell, at 25, could compete to be that piece. He had a shot with the Bengals in 2024.
