In his first two offseasons as Detroit Lions general manager, Brad Holmes has shown a strong preference toward re-signing his own players in free agency.
In 2021, while still getting to know the roster, the team prioritized retaining Romeo Okwara with a three-year deal. That deal, far and away, was the biggest the Lions awarded that offseason. Last year, the strategy expanded with Detroit re-upping with Tracy Walker, Alex Anzalone, Charles Harris, Kalif Raymond, Jason Cabinda, Josh Woods, Josh Reynolds, C.J. Moore, Evan Brown and Tim Boyle.
Now, after the Lions made significant strides in the second year of the team’s rebuild, it will be interesting to see if Holmes sticks to the same blueprint. The team has 15 players, more than a quarter of the active roster, set to be unrestricted free agents.
In what has become an annual tradition at the end of each season, we have attempted to rank the importance to the roster of those pending free agents.
1. Wide receiver DJ Chark
The Lions signed Chark to a prove-it deal last offseason, and got a good look at both the risk and reward of the addition during the 2022 campaign. The lingering concern remains his surgically repaired ankle, which sidelined him nearly two months this season. At this point, there’s no way to dismiss that the issue won’t come up again.
But, when healthy, he has been exactly what the Lions hoped they were getting, offering a big-bodied vertical threat on the outside that help open up Detroit’s passing game. In the six games since he’s been back playing a full workload, Chark has caught 20 passes for 390 yards and two touchdowns, serving as a key cog in an aerial attack averaging 295 yards per game during that stretch.
Yes, Jameson Williams is going to merit a much bigger role in his second season, but a strong case can be made that should come at the expense of Josh Reynolds or Kalif Raymond, compared to Chark.
2. Defensive end John Cominsky
When the Atlanta Falcons waived Cominsky at the end of May, a quarter of the league put in a waiver claim on the 6-foot-5, 285-pound defensive lineman. Several months later, it’s easy to see why.
After working his way up the depth chart and earning a roster spot with a strong training camp and preseason, Cominsky has had a steady role in Detroit’s defensive line rotation, averaging nearly 40 snaps per game. And what he’s brought to the table is a healthy mix of versatility, production and grit.
He’s currently second on the roster with 39 quarterback pressures, which includes a career-high four sacks. His first sack came in the closing seconds of Detroit’s Week 2 win over Washington, when he was playing with a broken thumb he suffered earlier in the fourth quarter.
That thumb injury required surgery, sidelining him the next three games. He’s been playing with a club on his hand ever since. Imagine how much more productive he can be with that club removed, paired with a full year of experience in Detroit’s scheme.
3. Linebacker Alex Anzalone
There’s going to be a healthy percentage of fans who will want to see the Lions to upgrade the middle linebacker position this offseason, but that’s easier said than done. The draft doesn’t offer a lot of high-end options, while free agents like Roquan Smith and Lavonte David will come with far heftier price tags.
Anzalone might not be the playmaking stud you’d like in the heart of the defense, but he’s made significant individual strides in his second season with the team, blowing past his previous career-high by tallying 117 tackles, while sharply reducing the missed tackles that plagued him a year earlier. Additionally, he’s not a liability in coverage, holding quarterbacks to a 79.8 passer rating when targeting him.
Anzalone is also a veteran voice on a defense lacking them. He knows the scheme inside and out and is responsible for relaying calls and getting teammates in position on the field. That’s as valuable as how he handles his individual assignments once the ball is snapped.
4. Safety DeShon Elliott
Signed a month into free agency, the talented, but oft-injured safety has been a solid addition. Despite missing three games, he’s second on the roster with 91 tackles, and he’s one of just four Lions who have recorded both an interception and fumble recovery.
It admittedly took a minute for Elliott to find his footing in Detroit, resulting in a brief early-season benching. But he’s been steady since rejoining the starting lineup, coinciding with some midseason schematic adjustments. He can effectively play deep, in the box, cover man-to-man in the slot and situationally rush the passer.
More: After working through self-doubt and broken jaw, Lions’ DeShon Elliott has found his way
The biggest argument against bringing back Elliott would be the pending return of Tracy Walker and the emergence of playmaking rookie Kerby Joseph. If Walker’s rehab from a torn Achilles continues to progress smoothly, there might not be enough playing time to go around for three starting-caliber safeties.
5. Running back Jamaal Williams
Williams is on the cusp of a couple of accomplishments: His first 1,000-yard campaign and tying, and potentially breaking, Barry Sanders’ single-season franchise record for rushing touchdowns.
The first is impressive, given Williams never had previously rushed for more than 601 yards in a season. The second is remarkable. Sanders’ mark has stood more than three decades, while Williams had 13 combined rushing scores his first five seasons before exploding across the goal line 15 times through 16 games this year.
Williams isn’t a back who will regularly provide explosive plays, although he does have a pair of 50-plus-yard carries this season. He’s more the type of back who will grind it out between the tackles, carrying it 20 or more times, if that’s what the flow of the game requires. His 4.0 yards per carry, in line with his career average, isn’t sexy, but is reliably consistent.
On top of it all, Williams is one of the roster’s emotional leaders. He provides undeniable energy on the practice field, in the locker room and in games. That’s something that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
6. Offensive lineman Evan Brown
Brown quietly has been a stabilizing force the past two seasons, helping the Lions weather multiple injuries along the offensive line. In 2021, he stepped in and started 12 games in place of Frank Ragnow, impressively minimizing the drop-off from the Pro Bowler by allowing just eight quarterback pressures and one sack in 455 pass-blocking snaps.
This season, Brown has been filling in at right guard for Halapoulivaati Vaitai. Brown wasn’t the Lions’ first choice at that spot, but he’s unquestionably been the best of the options. He’s allowing more quarterback pressure than a year ago, naturally, given there are more one-on-one assignments at guard, but he’s still limited the opposition to one sack in more than 400 pass-blocking situations.
The Lions have a cap decision to make with Vaitai this offseason, and if they move on, they’ll need a new starter. Brown could certainly be that guy if the money is right. Whether it’s in Detroit or elsewhere, he’s shown he deserves an opportunity to start in this league.
7. Defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs
Added just before the start of training camp, Buggs has brought some needed stability to the heart of Detroit’s defensive line, particularly after the group lost Levi Onwuzurike to a back injury before the season started.
After seeing the field a little more than 400 snaps his first three seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Lions have leaned on him far more heavily, asking him to be on the field more than 700 reps heading into the season finale.
A better pass rusher than run defender, Buggs has logged 20 quarterback pressures, tripling this three-year disruption rate with the Steelers. There’s clear value in retaining him this offseason, but with that, the ideal scenario would be upgrading the position group this offseason and reducing Buggs’ playing time to increase his efficiency.
8. Linebacker Josh Woods
Woods is one of the best special teams players in the league and the vocal leader of that unit. Smart and instinctual, he’s played more than 300 snaps with those groups and is pacing the Lions with 12 coverage tackles.
“He understands the game very well,” special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said last month. “He knows what needs to be done. He’s got experience, so he understands the ebbs and flows of a game, what’s going on.”
A big part of special teams is being able to patch together moving pieces, backups and rookies, but it’s important to have a foundation. Woods has established himself as a part of that core.
More: In midst of Lions turnaround, unsung hero Josh Woods remains important piece
9. Defensive back Will Harris
Drafted in the third round of the 2019 draft, Harris is one of three players from that class who will have played out their full rookie contract in Detroit. Beginning as a safety, he replaced Quandre Diggs in the lineup after the Lions traded him midseason to Seattle during Harris’ rookie season.
But despite his smarts and rare athleticism, things never clicked for Harris at safety. So late in the 2021 season, in part necessitated by injuries and illness throughout the depth chart, the team started tinkering with him at cornerback, both on the outside and in the slot.
He made the permanent move to corner this offseason, losing a training camp battle to Jeff Okudah for a starting job. For the past several weeks, Harris has served as Detroit’s starting nickelback, where he’s arguably had the best stretch of his career.
While there’s obvious potential to upgrade, it could be difficult to replace the versatility, which extends to special teams. He’s averaged more than 200 snaps per season with those units during his four with the Lions.
10. Linebacker Chris Board
Like Woods, Board is viewed by many, including New England coach Bill Belichick, as one of the top special teamers in the NFL. But after four years of a slowly growing defensive role in Baltimore, Board struggled to saw his playing time decline during his one year in Detroit. After averaging 23 snaps the first three games, he’s played 10 or fewer in 11 of the past 13 contests.
He’s a good enough special teams player, that it’s worth trying to re-up for his current $2 million rate, but it’s easy to see him looking for a team willing to give him an opportunity to build back up his defensive resume, which is the best way to increase his future earning potential.
11. Cornerback Mike Hughes
Signed to a one-year deal this offseason, the Lions viewed the former first-round pick as reliable depth both outside and in the slot, with starting potential at either spot. And by the end of training camp, they felt he was the best option at nickel, even though they ended up pulling the plug on that fit four weeks into the season.
In the weeks since, Hughes has served as a rotational piece on the outside, with his playing time often hinging on the performance or health of others. But when given opportunities, he’s been solid in the role, particularly against the run.
He’ll likely to be looking for a starting opportunity in free agency, but if one doesn’t materialize, it’s possible the Lions could look to extend the marriage, having a first-hand understanding of what Hughes can bring to the defense.
12. Running back Justin Jackson
It’s still curious why Jackson lingered in free agency as long as he did. As a backup for the Chargers, he put together four productive seasons, averaging 5.0 yards per carry. With Detroit, it took a minute, and an injury to Craig Reynolds, to carve out a similar role, but he’s contributed both in the backfield and as the team’s primary kick returner.
With 52 touches on offense, he’s chipped in 258 yards and two scores. He hasn’t found the end zone as a returner, but his 26.9-yard average ranks fourth in the NFL among players with at least 10 attempts.
13. Cornerback Amani Oruwariye
It’s been an inconceivable and precipitous decline for Oruwariye, who worked as Detroit’s No. 1 corner in 2021 and finished third in the NFL with six interceptions. After years of reliability on the outside, the fourth-year corner’s performance fell off a cliff in 2022.
At a position where teams pay a premium on the free-agency market, it’s a little mind-boggling to consider how much money Oruwariye has lost this year. After allowing more than three-quarters of the throws his direction to be completed, in addition to wild, six-penalty outing against Minnesota, he was benched.
He’s put together enough good film during his time with the Lions that someone will give him a prove-it deal and an opportunity to rehab his career, but it’s tough to see a scenario where his time in Detroit isn’t done.
14. Defensive end Austin Bryant
Bryant’s career got off to a rocky start as injuries sidelined him 22 games his first two seasons. He rebounded to appear in 14 contests last year, scoring his first 4.5 sacks, but the writing appeared to be on the wall when the Lions drafted Aidan Hutchinson and Josh Paschal in the first and second rounds, respectively.
But behind one of the best training camps of any Lions player, Bryant overcame the odds to earn a roster spot. Unfortunately, that camp production didn’t carry over to the regular season. Regularly a healthy scratch in the second half of the season, he’s appeared in nine games, but has tallied just nine tackles and zero sacks in his playing time.
With the recent emergence of sixth-round pick James Houston, Bryant’s time in Detroit is likely at its end.
15. Quarterback Nate Sudfeld
Honestly, we don’t know much about what Sudfeld has to offer. That’s not a bad thing, because it meant Jared Goff stayed healthy all year, so the only playing time the backup received came in the closing minute of blowouts and didn’t include a single pass attempt.
In four seasons in the NFL, which included two in Philadelphia and one in San Francisco, Sudfeld has appeared in six games, but has zero starts. He’s thrown 37 passes, completing 25, for 188 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Even with that limited experience, it’s understandable why the team felt better going with him over Tim Boyle and David Blough, who had struggled in their opportunities the past couple years.
Still, the reality is the Lions should be looking for a developmental backup in the draft. Adding an option with a dual-threat skill set would be a bonus.
Other free agents
The Lions have several other players set to be either restricted or exclusive-rights free agents who aren’t included in our rankings. Restricted free agents have three accrued seasons and the team holds a first right of refusal through a set of contract tenders, one-year deals ranging from about $2.5 million to a little more than $6 million.
This year, that group includes backup offensive tackles Matt Nelson and Dan Skipper and wide receiver Trinity Benson. It’s unlikely the Lions will extend a tender to any of their restricted free agents, making them unrestricted if they don’t agree to an extension ahead of the start of the new league year on March 15.
Exclusive-rights free agents, players with fewer than three accrued seasons, can be tendered for veteran minimum, and that salary carries no guarantees. Basically, if the team wants them back, they’ll be back.
Among the players with that status are tight end Brock Wright, running back Craig Reynolds, long snapper Scott Daly, defensive tackle Benito Jones and linebacker and special-teams standout Anthony Pittman.
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @Justin_Rogers