Lions Week 1 Free Agency Roundup
Information sourced from: PFF, Pro Football Reference, Spotrac, ESPN
Update 3/16: There was an error on the offensive lineman projected depth chart. It has been resolved.
As we continue the breakdown of free agency, the end of week one has come and gone. The Lions made more splashy moves in their last 2 signings, lets break them down, and then break down each position’s depth chart as it stands today.
Tyler Conklin was a sneaky good signing for the Lions. While things didn’t work out with him with the Chargers, prior to landing there he played some really good football. Per Pro Football Reference:
You can see, 21-24 were good years for Tyler. He was available and started many games: This is an important piece given how the Lions have been with injuries as of late.He not only brings availability but quality blocking, and skills as a receiver as well. This is much needed depth with the questions around Sam LaPorta’s back. We all saw that Brock Wright was good but not great when LaPorta went down last year. Look for Tyler to fight for the TE2 job, but is likely TE3 to start training camp.
Roger McCreary fills a spot of need at starting Nickel Cornerback. Roger McCreary pulled almost a 70 PFF grade in 2025, even though he was having kind of a down year. This made him the 27th ranked cornerback out of 115 who qualified with enough snaps. Furthermore Pro Football Reference tells the story of 2025, traded half way through the year, and never quite found his footing with the new team.
Free Agency Contract Details to Date
Projected Depth Chart
Disclaimer: I have no inside information on the depth chart, this is simply my thoughts on where things will land. TBD means I do not think the player is on the roster currently.
Quarterback (2):
Jared Goff
Teddy Bridgewater
Wide Receiver (6):
Amon-Ra St. Brown
Jameson WIlliams
Isaac Teslaa
Tom Kennedy
Jackson Meeks
Dominic Lovett
Tight End (3):
Sam LaPorta
Tyler Conklin
Brock Wright
Offensive Linemen (10):
Penei Sewell (LT)
Christian Mahogany (LG)
Cade Mays (C)
Tate Ratledge (RG)
TBD (RT/OT2)
Larry Borom (Swing Tackle/6th OL/OT3)
Seth McLaughlin (C2)
Miles Frazier (OG3/OT4)
Juice Scruggs (OG4/C3)
Michael Niese (OG5)
Running Back (4):
Jahmyr Gibbs
Isiah Pachecho
Sione Vaki
Jacob Saylers
DE/EDGE (4):
Aiden Hutchinson
TBD
TBD|
Ahmed Hassanein
Defensive Tackle (6):
Alim McNeil
Tyleik Williams
Levi Onwuzurike
Mekhi Wingo
TBD
TBD
Cornerback (7):
Terrion Arnold
D.J. Reed
Roger McCreary
Rock Ya-Sin
Nick Whiteside
Ennis Rakestraw
Khalil Dorsey
Safety (6):
Kerby Joseph
Brian Branch
Christian Izien
Thomas Harper
TBD
TBD
Linebacker (5):
Jack Campbell
Derrick Barnes
Malcolm Rodriguez
Trevor Nowaske
TBD
I show eight players needing to be added at very minimum to fill out my way too early projection of the Lions 53 man roster. This is almost certainly not how it will be. That said, I’m using this to inform our most pressing needs. I think we have holes at DT (I would love to see DJ Reader return), DE/EDGE (Cam Jordan and/or A.J. Epenesa would make me happy, but I expect at least one earlier in the draft). I also want to see a safety added, and I expect this to happen in the draft given the depth at this position. All in all, the roster is far from done, but the Lions seem to be making common sense moves. The additions of McCreary and Conklin showed the appetite to add the next level of talent in free agency as well.
I would encourage you all to not panic, but stick with Brad. He is cycling through positions in a measured fashion to try to move us to the next level. The hope: A championship.