Detroit Lions in NFL free agency 2024: Thumbs up or thumbs down so far?
The Detroit Lions made three additions in the first two days of 2024 NFL free agency ahead of the new league year officially opening Wednesday at 4 p.m. That's when all these deals and trades can become official for pending unrestricted free agents.
General manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell have once again stuck to a modest approach to free agency while still adding solid depth.
The Lions added two cornerbacks (Carlton Davis via trade and Amik Robertson) in an effort to boost their poor pass defense, and signed an edge rusher (Marcus Davenport). They also re-signed the more inexpensive of their two free agent guards (Graham Glasgow) and depth tackle Dan Skipper.
[ Lions fans: Celebrate the team's renaissance 2023 season with a new book from the Free Press, "From Grit to Glory." ]
On the flip side, the Lions have lost their two best internal free agents in left guard Jonah Jackson (Los Angeles Rams) and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Philadelphia Eagles).
How are NFL experts reacting to the Lions moves? Here's a sampling.
Be sure to follow our Lions rumors and deals tracker, updated daily with juicy tidbits as we see them.
TRENDING: Lions free agency rumor tracker 2024: Latest updates and analysis
Lions defense an early winner
Bill Barnwell of ESPN likes the "much-needed additions" on the Lions' defense, naming the unit among his winners and losers column on free agency. Barnwell admits he also liked last year's free agency moves for the secondary (Sutton, Moseley, Gardner-Johnson), but acknowledges those didn't pan out in 2023.
"Landing Davis should allow coordinator Aaron Glenn to be more aggressive sending pressure in 2024," Barnwell wrote.
Barnwell also likes the swing on Davenport for one year and $6.5 million, trying something similar to what the Vikings attempted last year, before an ankle injury ruined Davenport's season after four games.
"There's some risk here given Davenport's struggles to stay on the field, but he's a solid two-way defender who had a nine-sack season in 2021 as a 25-year-old." Barnwell wrote. "I wouldn't trade two first-rounders for Davenport or want to sign him to a huge contract, but this is the right term and price for his upside."
BIG GOALS: New Lions CB Carlton Davis wants to create Bulls, Lakers-like dynasty in Detroit
Trade for Carlton Davis
The Lions gave up one of their two third-round picks to Tampa Bay (the lesser at No. 92 overall) for Davis and sixth-round picks in 2024 and 2025. He is on the last year of a three-year, $44.5 million deal contract, and carries a $14.3 million cap hit in 2024. Davis had a 60% completion percentage allowed and 75.1 passer rating when targeted, according to Pro Football Focus. He did not allow any touchdowns in man coverage.
Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports said the deal was a win for both teams, giving the Lions a "B+" and the Bucs a "B". He called Davis an "upgrade" beside Cam Sutton, who allowed five passing touchdowns and an 80.4 passer rating in coverage last season.
"He will be counted upon to improve a pass defense that allowed 28 pass touchdowns (28th in NFL) and 7.8 yards per attempt last season (31st in NFL)," Kerr wrote, adding dealing Davis "was a necessary move for the Buccaneers," who needed to clear cap space after retaining Mike Evans and Baker Mayfield, and franchise tagging Antoine Winfield Jr.
Jeff Howe of The Athletic gave the Lions a "B" for the trade, writing it will come down to Davis’ availability to stay healthy.
"Even just matching his career high of 14 starts — and is available in the playoffs, it’ll be a good trade for the Lions as they attempt to make another run at the NFC title," Howe wrote, while giving the Bucs a "B-".
Davis joins a new-look cornerback room of Sutton, the just re-signed Emmanuel Moseley and Robertson. Brian Branch enters Year 2 as the nickel. Jerry Jacobs, Will Harris, Kindle Vildor and Khalil Dorsey are all free agents.
DAVE BIRKETT: Brad Holmes sticks to plan as Lions bolster roster early in NFL free agency
Amik Robertson signing
Robertson, 25, earned a two-year deal from the Lions, which includes a $3.3 million signing bonus and has a maximum value of $10.75 million. He is a diminutive 5-foot-9 starting caliber corner who plays both in the slot and outside.
Brandon Knapp of SB Nation's Pride of Detroit blog wrote Robertson, a fourth-round pick out of Louisiana Tech in 2020, was a solid depth move, grading it a "B-".
"Robertson is an above average cornerback, but he isn’t going to blow you away with his skillset," Knapp wrote, adding he plays like a bigger sized corner despite his small stature. "He isn’t afraid to get physical and battle with the opposing wide receiver."
Robertson was better in zone coverage than in man coverage last season, according to Pro Football Focus, allowing two scores and a 117.4 QB rating in man. He held QBs to a 72.6 rating in zone, allowing 26 catches for 260 yards.
"It helps strengthen the weakest part of the team, and it gives them more flexibility to address other needs in free agency and the draft," Knapp concluded, preferring the two-year deal over a one-year stop-gap for stability. He also likes not committing to a long-term deal that could haunt the team in a few seasons if Robertson does not work out.
Marcus Davenport signing
Davenport, a 2018 first-round pick by New Orleans, accumulated two sacks in 2023 with Minnesota, but was limited to four games due to injury.
Randy Mueller of The Athletic ranked Davenport as the No. 61 free agent and graded the signing a "B-minus." He called the one-year deal low risk.
"At 28, and with a resume that includes 142 tackles, 21½ sacks and seven forced fumbles in five seasons with the Saints, Davenport seemingly boasts the potential to have an impact for Detroit as long as he can stay healthy," Mueller wrote.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions in NFL free agency 2024: Thumbs up or thumbs down?
