[Editor’s Note: This is Brett Whitefield’s first article here at Pride of Detroit. He’ll be helping us over the next couple of months with free agency and NFL Draft analysis. Welcome, Brett!]
As the 2026 NFL free agency period kicks off amid the usual frenzy of blockbuster deals and eye-popping contracts, the Detroit Lions find themselves at a familiar crossroads: a team on the rise, fresh off a playoff push (this time a failed one), now tasked with fine-tuning a roster poised for contention. Under general manager Brad Holmes, the Lions have embodied a patient, draft-first philosophy that prioritizes sustainable building over splashy overhauls—using free agency not as a primary blueprint but as a strategic supplement to address gaps and apply targeted fixes or “band aids” as I like to call them.
While the league’s early waves see teams chasing marquee names at premium prices, it’s in the so-called “Phase 2” where the true architects of success emerge: savvy GMs who capitalize on the market’s cooling, snagging proven talent at discounted rates without mortgaging the future. For Detroit, this approach isn’t just prudent—it’s necessary.
The real test of Holmes’ mettle lies ahead in extracting value from the overlooked gems still available. On that note, here is your blueprint to “Phase 2” of free-agency— the overlooked players who can still help this Lions team.
9 “Phase 2” free agents that can help the Lions win now
*Before we dive in, remember that all data cited in this section is provided exclusively by Fantasy Points Data Suite.
EDGE Cam Jordan
PRO: Jordan is the low-hanging fruit of this free agency with his ties to the current staff. He comes with a ton of pedigree and is currently one of the best run defending EDGE players in the NFL— despite being advanced in age. He is also incredibly durable and almost always available, playing over 550 snaps in each of the past four seasons.
CON: Jordan’s pass-rush ability has really fallen off over the past few years. While he still is a high-level finisher (sack production), the efficiency has fallen off a cliff. Evidenced by low pass-rush win rates (11.0%) and pressure rates in 2025.
BOTTOM LINE: Jordan is the ideal EDGE candidate remaining. He would come on a short-term deal and provide a significant floor to a position that has seemingly been in flux for the entirety of the Holmes era. It is also worth noting that he has been the top-dawg on a subpar defensive line, and I firmly believe that playing with stars like Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill could help restore some of his former pass-rush glory.
EDGE Joey Bosa
PRO: Bosa is probably the most skilled pass-rusher left on the market. If healthy (HUGE IF), he brings a near 20% win rate to the table and in volume. He can work with power and with a diverse set of developed pass-rush moves. He has a bunch of counters and a hot motor.
CON: Bosa’s health has been a major issue throughout his career. It’s worth noting he has played 14 games in back-to-back seasons. However, injuries still struck last year (wrist and hamstring), and his play fell off a cliff in the back quarter of the season when the Bills needed it most.
BOTTOM LINE: Health has been a huge issue for Bosa, and the name recognition alone might price him out of Detroit.
EDGE A.J. Epenesa
PRO: Epenesa checks multiple Lions-specific boxes. He is big, physical, and can set the edge against the run. His motor runs hot, and he has a certain GRIT to him that is endearing. He would fit in well.
CON: He is a much better run defender than pass-rusher at this point in his career and is best served as an early-down player/rotational piece. I had his pass-rush win rate under 10% in each of the past two seasons.
BOTTOM LINE: If the Lions want to moneyball the EDGE spot opposite Hutch, Epenesa is a good fit for them and would pair well with a more pass-rush minded player like Al Quadin-Muhammad—but obviously someone other than him now that he’s joining the Buccaneers.
EDGE Jadeveon Clowney
PRO: A mercenary, Clowney has been productive for six different NFL teams, registering at least 8.5 sacks with four of them. That lends a confidence that he can fit just about anywhere. An added bonus to Clowney is that he is fantastic as someone you can scheme up looks for on stunts, twists, and loops. Like Cam Jordan, he is also great against the run.
CON: There really isn’t one. He is still a high-level player and should be had at a more than affordable rate. He played last season on a one-year, $3.54 million contract. While he probably played his way to some more money this year, it shouldn’t be too much more.
BOTTOM LINE: Clowney was one of my top desired targets last cycle, and I am inclined to believe he would have made significant contributions to the 2025 Lions team. I am all in once again this year.
DT Sebastian Joseph-Day
PRO: A veteran high-level run stuffer who could replace what Roy Lopez did for you in 2025. He has alignment versatility on the interior and is capable of giving up 30+ snaps a game if needed, which would keep Tyleik Williams and Alim McNeill fresh. He also has some modest pass-rush chops and can push the pocket a bit.
CON: He played last season on a one-year, $7.5 million deal. Considering what the Lions let Lopez walk for, I will assume that price tag is too high, and the market would have to be just right.
BOTTOM LINE: For all I know, the Lions might like their depth on the interior with a full year under Tyleik’s belt plus the return of Levi Onwuzurike. However, if they want to add a strong run stuffer to the rotation, other than bringing DJ Reader back, Joseph-Day is the best on the market.
CB Rasul Douglas
PRO: Douglas is a big, physical corner who excels at using his strength and length to squeeze space at the top of WR’s stem. He can play man coverage against big body WRs, or play off zone and use his football IQ and length to shut down pass lanes. He has a ton of experience in the league and had a really nice bounce-back season as the lead dog in Miami.
CON: He might be a little redundant to Rock Ya-Sin.
BOTTOM LINE: You can never have too many starting-level CBs on your roster. The Lions know this better than any team in the league. If Douglas could be had for a similar contract to what he played on in 2025 (one-year, $3 million), I am all the way in.
CB Roger McCreary
PRO: A nickel corner with the skill set and experience to play press-man. McCreary is physical and plays the way the Lions ask their corners to play. When in man, he is going to be disruptive early in the route and give up nothing for free. He takes his run defense responsibilities seriously and is one of the better run-defending nickels in the league.
CON: McCreary isn’t the best in zone coverages. When it comes to read and react, playing top-down, he is a little slow on the trigger and will give up some completions underneath. He doesn’t have ideal length, which has led to his ball production being hit-or-miss throughout his career.
BOTTOM LINE: As it stands right now, the Lions don’t really have a starting nickel on the roster. It is possible they view Christian Izien or Ennis Rakestraw as the solution there, but I think all parties can agree they need to add another competent player to the mix to compete for the spot. McCreary would check that box in a big way and likely come at a very affordable price tag.
S Andre Cisco
PRO: Cisco specializes as a rangy free safety who patrols the back end and looks for opportunities to make plays on the football. In a lot of ways, he is Kerby Joseph-lite, which I am assuming is why he was one of the first players Aaron Glenn acquired in free agency last year. Throughout his career, he has also put functional reps on tape playing in the box as a matchup player, and under Glenn in 2025, he was used that way a ton.
CON: Cisco tore his pectoral muscle last year and only played in eight games. He was also playing on a one-year, $8.5 million deal, which is too rich for a backup role for the Lions. The price would have to come down; however, injuries have a way of doing that.
BOTTOM LINE: You won’t find a better Kerby Joseph-specific backup on the market than Cisco. His added value of growing positional versatility makes him a viable candidate to play WITH Kerby Joseph as well. Given the situations of both Lions starting safeties, this seems like an absolute no-brainer to me if the price is right.
OL Jamaree Salyer
PRO: Salyer has played at an average to above-average level at four different positions in the NFL. He has started 40 games in four years for the Chargers. In 2025, he played over 500 snaps for the Chargers—starting games at LT and RG. He is big and brings a physicality the Lions covet. Between him and newly signed Larry Borom, the Lions would have two potential options for the other starting OT spot while also giving the Lions a ton of flexibility in the draft. Trust me on this one—as someone who watches every snap of every game and charts OL/DL for a living, you can do way worse than Jamaree Salyer. Among 71 OTs who had 300+ pass-pro snaps last season, Salyer’s 6.2% pressure rate allowed ranked 34th.
CON: I think he might have a bigger market than people think and could see his value approach $10 million per season. I could see a team like the Dolphins giving him a guaranteed starting job.
BOTTOM LINE: No one is ever mad about having too many good offensive linemen. This would be a floor-raising move and wouldn’t force the Lions’ hand in the draft.
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