5 TOPING PLAYERS IN DETROIT LIONS...

After a 12-5 record, an NFC North title, and the first playoff win in over 30 seasons, Detroit is in a great spot heading into the 2024 NFL season with plenty of salary cap space and a plethora of potential Detroit Lions free agent targets. Here are some of the top players they should target this offseason based on need.

Detroit Lions Free Agent Targets: Cornerback

It’s no secret that defense has been a weak spot in Detroit and corner is up there as one of their softer points. After the recent NFL Combine, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote “The word out of Indy is that Detroit is pretty set on adding a high-end corner, so the Lions are one to watch”. Two cornerbacks stand out as the top Detroit Lions free agent targets heading into the upcoming session. (Jaylen Johnson is the top free agent CB in 2024 but is likely going to re-sign with the Bears so I’m leaving him off)

Stephon Gilmore, Cowboys

Age: 332023 Stats: One forced fumble, two interceptions, 13 passes defended & 68 total tackles in 17 regular season gamesCareer Stats: Eight forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 31 interceptions, two touchdowns, 140 passes defended & 561 total tackles in 165 career games (2012-23).

Gilmore showed us last year that he has plenty left in the tank and could get a chance to play with his brother Steven, a fellow CB already on the Lions squad.

Kendall Fuller, Commanders

Age: 292023 Stats: Two fumbles recovered, two interceptions, nine passes defended & 79 total tackles in 15 regular season games.Career Stats: Two forced fumbles, two fumbles recovered, 16 interceptions, two touchdowns, 75 passes defended & 486 total tackles in 117 career games (2016-23).

Washington’s secondary was in the basement last season, but Fuller comes with playmaking ability, along with post-season and Super Bowl experience.

Detroit Lions Free Agent Targets: Wide Receiver

Two Lions WRs are free agents from the current squad, as Josh Reynolds and Donovan Peoples-Jones are free to hit the open market. They have two incredible young pass catchers in Amon-Ra St. Brown and TE Sam LaPorta, with 2022 first-round pick Jameson Williams primed for a bigger role ahead. An outside receiver would be a huge addition to this already potent offense.

Gabe Davis, Bills

Age: 242023 Stats: Forty-five receptions, 746 receiving yards, & seven touchdowns in 17 regular season games.Career Stats: 163 receptions, 2,730 receiving yards, & 27 touchdowns in 64 career games (2020-2023).

Davis has scored at least six touchdowns in each season in the NFL and boasts an average of 16.7 yards per reception in his career. He’s known as a boom-or-bust player but could add a contested catch ability to this WR room.

Calvin Ridley, Jaguars

Age: 292023 Stats: Seventy-six receptions, 1,016 receiving yards & eight touchdowns in 17 regular season games.Career Stats: 324 receptions, 4,358 receiving yards, & 36 touchdowns in 66 career games (2018-2023).

He’d be the most expensive option but they have the cap space to make Ridley one of the top Detroit Lions free agent targets in 2024. One would think the Lions are an enticing option for the WR who presumably would want to play for a contender on his next contract.

Detroit Lions Free Agent Targets: Kicker

While some are anti-kicker and consider them an afterthought, they are important and this team should consider an upgrade after going between Michael Badgley and Riley Patterson in 2023. There are several solid legs hitting free agency but here’s my top Detroit Lions free agent targets at the position.

Kai’imi Fairbairn, Texans

Age: 302023 Stats: Field goal percentage: 96.4%, average length: 36 yards, longest: 54 yards, 21-of-22 extra points made in 12 regular season games.Career Stats: Field goal percentage: 87.1%, longest: 61 yards, 206-of-223 extra points made in 60 career games (2017-2023).