One of the harder parts of the offseason for NFL front offices is deciding which free agents they want to keep and which ones will have to leave. It’s a process Lions GM Brad Holmes and his Detroit front office staff are facing in the coming days.
The Lions have already made a couple of decisions, bringing back LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin and K Michael Badgley as pending free agents. That brings the total of unrestricted free agents for the Lions to 18 when the new league year starts on Wednesday, March 13th at 4 p.m. ET.
Which of the 18 unrestricted free agents will the Lions keep, and which ones will be suiting up elsewhere in 2024?
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (2) waves at the crowd during the second half against Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.
After playing just three regular-season games due to a torn pectoral muscle in his one season in Detroit. Brian Branch and Ifeatu Melifonwu emerging in the two spots where “Ceedy Duce” is most effective hurts his on-field value to the Lions, but he brings an edge and a versatile playmaking nose that is difficult to replace.
Prediction: Gone
Graham Glasgow
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The versatile veteran took over as the starting right guard as well as the primary backup center and played well in both roles. At 32, he’s likely hitting his final shot at a bigger payday.
Prediction: Back in Detroit
Charles Harris
(AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
Harris slid down the EDGE depth chart to being a starter to healthy scratch late in the year despite also being a team captain. He’s the kind of player who could remain on the market until late in the preseason and come back if needed at that point, a la Dan Skipper of recent vintages.
Prediction: Only back if no other team wants him
Will Harris
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
The divergence between how fans generally feel about Will Harris and how the team values him is stark. The Lions very strongly value his ability to provide depth at every spot in the secondary, even if fans (and media) lament that he’s often not very good at it.
Prediction: He’ll be back, like it or not
Donovan Peoples-Jones
Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Acquired from the Browns at the trade deadline for a 2025 6th-round draft pick, Peoples-Jones caught five passes in eight games and didn’t factor in the return specialist mix. Kalif Raymond’s uncertain injury status keeps the door open for the 25-year-old wideout to return.
Prediction: Signs elsewhere
Jonah Jackson
Detroit Lions guard Jonah Jackson warms up before the Denver Broncos game at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.
Jackson was a Pro Bowl left guard in 2022, but injuries inhibited his contract season in 2023. The Lions complete lack of depth all over the offensive line could give him some extra value in Detroit. Tough call on Jackson.
Prediction: Gone
Nate Sudfeld
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (10) makes a pass against New York Giants during the first half of a preseason game at Ford Field in Detroit on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023.
No one will blame you for forgetting about the veteran QB who was injured in preseason. He hasn’t attempted a pass in a regular season game since 2020. The 30-year-old knows the Ben Johnson offense and the Lions do need a cheap No. 3 QB.
Prediction: Returns, but it might not be before training camp
Teddy Bridgewater
Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater wavers at fans during warm up before the Denver Broncos game at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.
The new head coach of Miami Northwestern High School has already moved on. Good luck in retirement!
Prediction: He’s long gone
Dan Skipper
(AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
America’s favorite extra offensive tackle has been involved in over 40 transactions with the Lions since 2017. Even if he signs elsewhere initially, which may or may not happen, Skipper figures to be back in some capacity once the regular season rolls around.
Prediction: Winds up back in Detroit eventually
Tyson Alualu
(Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
Signed off the street in December, Alualu turns 37 in May. If the Lions truly need him, they can bring back the big DT when the emergency glass needs breaking.
Prediction: Goes into the final preseason game unsigned
Jake McQuaide
(Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
McQuaide served capably as the Lions’ long snapper after Scott Daly got hurt. Daly is a restricted free agent and McQuaide is 36. As long as Daly gets tendered, McQuaide can pursue a beard modeling career.
Prediction: Gone unless Daly doesn’t get tendered
Emmanuel Moseley
(Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
The cornerback was a prominent free agent signing a year ago, but he lasted just two plays before tearing an ACL after returning from needing surgery on his other knee. The fact he stuck around even after the second injury should mean something to Detroit.
Prediction: Returns on an incentive-laden, vet-minimum deal
Update: Moseley was re-signed during the production of this piece
Kindle Vildor
Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor celebrates a play against the Cowboys during the first half at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023.
He ended the 2023 season playing about three spots too high on the Lions CB depth chart, but Vildor can be an inexpensive, experienced depth piece who has some special teams value.
Prediction: Back in Detroit
Matt Nelson
David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
Nelson started in Weeks 2 and 3 at right tackle while Penei Sewell replaced an injured Taylor Decker at LT. He got hurt against the Falcons; Skipper came in and immediately upgraded the spot. There probably isn’t much of a market for a 28-year-old developmental OT coming off injury, and that could have him back competing for a spot in Detroit.
Prediction: Signs with Detroit but might not last through training camp
Anthony Firkser
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
An emergency late-season signing, the veteran tight end played two snaps in two games in Detroit. The move to bring back Shane Zylstra probably seals Firkser’s fate.
Prediction: We hardly knew ye
Halapoulivaati Vaitai
Lions offensive tackle Hal Vaitai talks with reporters after OTAs on Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Allen Park.
Vaitai won the starting RG job over Glasgow in camp but couldn’t stay on the field. The 30-year-old has missed 27 of the last 30 games with back and knee injuries. There is speculation Big V will retire, as he acknowledged he nearly did after 2022. If he’s back, it could be just as a vet-minimum mentor for close friend Penei Sewell.
Prediction: Gone
Romeo Okwara
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Healthy in 2023 after long stints on I.R. in the prior two seasons, Okwara played in 16 games but managed just over 20 percent of defensive snaps. He turns 29 in June and already saw his younger brother exiled out of Detroit.
Prediction: Playing elsewhere in ’24 even if he initially signs with Detroit
Josh Reynolds
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Perhaps the toughest call. The vet wideout has great chemistry with QB Jared Goff and was productive in 2023, second on the team amongst WRs in targets, catches and yards. His unfortunate drops in the NFC Championship Game directly cost the Lions a Super Bowl berth, however. He might want the change of scenery even if the Lions want him to get his redemption in Detroit.
Prediction: Stays