As 2022 NFL free agency approaches and goes on, here’s a place to track the comings and goings for the Detroit Lions.
The Detroit Lions took a tepid approach to free agency during the 2021 offseason, signing players to mostly one-year deals as a rebuild started. It was absolutely the right approach.
This offseason, the approach is in line to be different. The Lions are in the top half of the league in cap space right now ($23.63 million as of this writing, via Over The Cap) with options to clear a lot more cap room. Lions general manager Brad Holmes won’t be a huge spender, but a notable move or two isn’t out of the question.
Using the list from Spotrac, with further information from the Lions website, here’s a look at the list of Lions’ 2022 free agents by designation–unrestricted, restricted and exclusive rights (ERFA, where noted).
Who are the Detroit Lions 2022 Unrestricted Free Agents?
S Tracy Walker
-Over 100 tackles in 2021, six pass breakups
OLB Charles Harris
-Career-high (and team-high) 7.5 sacks in 2021
LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
-72 total tackles in 2021, two forced fumbles
LB Alex Anzalone
-78 total tackles, 14 starts in 2021
DE Nick Williams
-17 starts in 2021, four tackles for loss
WR Josh Reynolds
-16.1 yards per catch after joining Lions in 2021
WR Kalif Raymond
-48 receptions in 2021, 11.2 yards per punt return (fourth in the league)
WR KhaDarel Hodge
-13 receptions, five special teams tackles in 2021
S Dean Marlowe
-65 tackles, nine starts in 2021
QB Tim Boyle
-3 starts in 2021
OT Tyrell Crosby
-Missed 2021 season (back), 18 starts over 38 games for the Lions
LB Shaun Dion Hamilton
-Missed 2021 season (Undisclosed injury)
DT Joel Heath
-Missed 2021 season (torn ACL in OTAs)
Who are the Detroit Lions Restricted Free Agents?
QB David Blough
-One appearance in 2021, five starts for Lions in 2019
P Jack Fox (ERFA)
-Franchise record gross punting average in 2021 (49.2 yards), second in NFL in punting average, sixth in next average
-2-for-3 as a passer on fake punts
OT Matt Nelson (ERFA)
-11 starts in 2021, zero penalties
C Evan Brown
-12 starts in 2021
FB Jason Cabinda
-Lions 2021 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee
OT Will Holden
-14 games and one start in 2021
S C.J. Moore
-14 tackles in 2021, key interception in Week 18
LB Josh Woods
-21 tackles (two tackles for loss) in 2021
K Riley Patterson (ERFA)
-13-for-14 on field goals, 16-for-16 on extra points in 2021
RB Godwin Igwebuike (ERFA)
-6.6 yards per carry, 24.9 yards per kickoff return in 2021
TE Brock Wright (ERFA)
-12 receptions and two touchdowns in 2021 as undrafted rookie
WR Tom Kennedy (ERFA)
-Six receptions in 2021, 75-yard touchdown pass in Week 18
S Jalen Elliott (ERFA)
-Made one start (Week 14) in 2021
DB Bobby Price (ERFA)
-12 tackles, three pass breakups in 2021
OG Tommy Kraemer (ERFA)
-Nine games and three starts in 2021
LS Scott Daly (ERFA)
-Replaced long-time Lions long snapper Don Muhlbach capably in 2021
CB Mark Gilbert (ERFA)
-One forced fumble in limited action for Lions in 2021
LB Anthony Pittman (ERFA)
-10 tackles in 2021
LB Rashod Berry (ERFA)
-62 defensive snaps over final five weeks of 2021
OLB Jessie Lemonier (ERFA)
-14 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 2021
C Ryan McCollum (ERFA)
-Signed off Texans practice squad in Oct. 2021, made one start
And here’s a look at the Lions’ signings and departures, updated as necessary.
2022 Free Agents signed by the Detroit Lions
FB Jason Cabinda (2/17/22): Signed to two-year contract extension through 2023, financial terms not disclosed
2022 Free Agents leaving the Detroit Lions
This will be updated continuously as signings happen