Credit: The Indianapolis Star-USA TODAY Sports
As the Detroit Lions take a look at free agent targets, here are five with ties to the coaching staff they could pursue.
After a run through free agency in 2021 that can best be called not that aggressive, Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes has already called this offseason the “player acquisition phase” of the rebuild.
With two first-round picks in April and cap space that puts them in the top half of the league right now, the Lions are solidly equipped to add to a roster that won three of its final six games this season. That said, the needs are wide-ranging–if only for depth purposes in some cases.
Narrowing the field to a certain segment, here are five free agents with ties to the coaching staff the Detroit Lions could pursue this offseason.
5 free agents with ties to their coaching staff the Detroit Lions could pursue
5. CB Donte Deayon
Daeyon has taken some time to find his footing in the NFL, with a lengthy personal transaction wire since the New York Giants inked him as an undrafted free agent in 2016. He has bounced off and on the Rams’ active roster for three years, but he stuck for 10 games this regular season with solid Pro Football Focus grades (68.3 coverage grade, 68.0 overall grade, h/t to Pride of Detroit).
The Lions could use some cornerback depth, and bargains will be preferred. Defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant was the Rams’ cornerbacks coach from 2017-2020, and maybe a former pupil will be on Detroit’s radar.