It is hard to believe that free agency began less than two weeks ago. Yet, since that time, Bob Quinn and his staff have been plenty busy, signing everyone from Danny Amendola to Zach Zenner and seemingly everyone in between. With the flurry of roster moves, let’s take a look at where the Lions roster stands in comparison to where we were before free agency began.
The Lions now have 68 players under contract for 2019. And the team still has plenty of salary cap space – just over $28 million according to OverTheCap. That figure does not include the contracts for Zach Zenner, Rashaan Melvin, Andrew Donnal and Logan Thomas. So the Lions probably have somewhere closer to about $24 million once those deals are accounted for.
So how does the roster look now, two weeks into free agency? Let’s dig in.
QUARTERBACK (need: 1)
Lock: Matthew Stafford
Work to do: Connor Cook
Changes: None. The Lions have not yet signed a veteran quarterback to compete with Connor Cook for the backup job, but expect one to sign before training camp. The Lions will also likely spend a Day 3 draft pick (possibly early on Day 3) on a QB.
RUNNING BACK (need: 1)
Lock: Kerryon Johnson
Cap casualty watch: Theo Riddick
Likely safe: Nick Bawden (fullback), Zach Zenner
Work to do: Kerwynn Williams, Mark Thompson
Changes: Re-signed Zach Zenner to a one-year contract. The Lions brought back Doc, but do not appear to be done adding to the running-back room. They tried (but failed) to sign restricted free agent Malcolm Brown of the Los Angeles Rams, and they bought Spencer Ware to town for a visit. If Ware doesn’t eventually sign, another veteran or draft pick is likely to be added.
WIDE RECEIVER (need: 1)
Locks: Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola
In the fight: Andy Jones, Tommylee Lewis, Brandon Powell
Work to do: Brandon Riley, Deontez Alexander, Chris Lacy
Changes: Signed Danny Amendola to a one-year contract and signed Tommylee Lewis to a one-year contract. With Amendola’s $4.25 million salary guarantee, he’s a lock for the final roster. Lewis, with only a $50,000 signing bonus and a $50,000 workout bonus guaranteed, will need to impress in camp to stick. Both are slot-only options, so fan-favorite Brandon Powell will have to stand out to crack the final roster. The Lions will likely look to add at least one outside receiver in the draft.
TIGHT END (need: at least 1)
Lock: Jesse James
Likely safe: Michael Roberts
Work to do: Logan Thomas, Jerome Cunningham
Changes: Signed Jesse James to a four-year contract and signed Logan Thomas to a one-year contract. James will be option 1 or 1A heading into the season as the Lions hope he builds on his successful run in Pittsburgh. Thomas, a converted quarterback, is a lottery ticket Bob Quinn tried to sign and develop in 2016 before losing him to Buffalo. He’s a low-risk option who will get a long look in camp. Tight end remains a major need heading into the draft.
OFFENSIVE LINE (need: at least 1)
Locks: Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, Graham Glasgow, Rick Wagner, Tyrell Crosby
Cap casualty watch: Kenny Wiggins
In the fight: Oday Aboushi, Joe Dahl, Leo Koloamatangi, Andrew Donnal
Changes: Signed Oday Aboushi to a one-year contract and re-signed Andrew Donnal to a one-year contract. The Lions still do not have a definitive replacement for T.J. Lang at right guard, but newcomer Oday Aboushi has started there before. If the Lions spend a high draft pick on the position, Kenny Wiggins could still be a cap casualty. Offensive tackle Andrew Donnal stuck around the active roster for almost all of last year and adds much-needed depth at that position.
Defense
INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINE (need: 0)
Locks: Damon Harrison, Da’Shawn Hand, A’Shawn Robinson
In the fight: John Atkins
Work to do: Jarron Jones
Changes: None. The interior of the Lions’ defensive line was a strength before free agency began and it remains so. Lions didn’t need to make a lot of moves here and they haven’t – although they did bring veteran Al Woods in for a visit, so they could look to add here at some point.
EDGE DEFENDER (need: at least 1)
Locks: Trey Flowers, Romeo Okwara, Devon Kennard
Work to do: Eric Lee, Mitchell Loewen, Jonathan Wynn
Changes: Signed Trey Flowers to a five-year contract. Signed Trey Flowers. (Seemed like it was worth repeating). Flowers – who I all but begged the Lions to sign before free agency began – will transform the Lions defense. He will make the already stout defensive line almost impossible to run against, and he will add the pass-rushing presence that was completely absent last year. The Lions could still use another pass-rusher too, which is why Brian Burns and others remain Day 1 draft possibilities.
LINEBACKER (need: at least 2)
Lock: Jarrad Davis
Likely safe: Christian Jones, Jalen Reeves-Maybin
In the fight: Miles Killebrew, Steve Longa
Work to do: Garret Dooley, Tre Williams
Changes: Cut Trevor Bates. The Lions released special-teamer Trevor Bates, which may solidify Miles Killebrew’s role for 2019. This position group could still use more depth, which is perhaps why the Lions brought former Notre Dame star Manti Te’o in for a visit. Free agent Zach Brown, formerly of Washington, would also make sense. As would University of Michigan star Devin Bush if the Lions wanted to shock the world on Day 1 of the draft.
CORNERBACK (need: 1)
Locks: Darius Slay, Jamal Agnew, Justin Coleman, Rashaan Melvin
In the fight: Marcus Cooper, Teez Tabor, Mike Ford
Work to do: Dee Virgin, Andre Chachere, David Jones
Changes: Cut Nevin Lawson, signed Justin Coleman to a four-year contract, signed Rashaan Melvin to a one-year contract and re-signed Marcus Cooper to a one-year contract. The Lions were busier at cornerback in the past two weeks than any other position. Lawson has been replaced by Melvin, and Justin Coleman was handed a big contract to patrol the slot (and maybe more). Marcus Cooper was also brought back for added depth. The Lions likely are not done here ether – a Day 2 draft pick at the position remains firmly on the table.
SAFETY (need: 0)
Locks: Quandre Diggs, Tracy Walker
Likely safe: Tavon Wilson, Charles Washington, Andrew Adams
Changes: Signed Andrew Adams to a one-year contract. The Lions signed the playmaking Adams (who picked off Cam Newton three times in one game last year) to add depth behind rookie Tracy Walker. Tavon Wilson, a potential cap casualty, also agreed to a pay cut, increasing his chances of making the roster. The Lions could be set at safety, but they are likely to bring in additional competition before camp.
SPECIAL TEAMS (need: 0)
Locks: Don Muhlbach, Matt Prater
Likely safe: Sam Martin
Work to do: Ryan Santoso
As expected, the Lions have not made any changes to the special teams during free agency.
