Top available NFL free agents who could help the Lions once training camp starts
The Detroit Lions are ready to go to battle with the current 90-man roster as training camp approaches in July. However, Lions GM Brad Holmes and his staff always have their eyes open for potential additions that can bolster the team's depth.
There are a select few prominent available names on the NFL free agency list, with the most notable of potential interest to Detroit being a player who finished 2024 in a Lions uniform. That would be veteran EDGE Za'Darius Smith, who continues to live in Detroit and has made his desire to return to the Lions abundantly clear.
Bringing back Smith would be a popular move, though nothing appears imminent. The Lions seem content with a healthy Marcus Davenport and promising rookie Ahmed Hassanein across from Aidan Hutchinson, with Josh Paschal and Al-Quadin Muhammad among others in the EDGE mix.
Other current free agents might intrigue the Lions once training camp kicks off and the inevitable injuries happen, or returning players just aren't cutting it anymore. Here are a few names that stand out.
Brandon Scherff
The veteran guard remains a durable bedrock presence at guard. While he's no longer the perennial Pro Bowler he was in his Washington heyday, the 33-year-old Scherff still played strong all-around ball in Jacksonville the last few seasons. He'd be a natural plug-and-play replacement for Kevin Zeitler at right guard.
Matt Judon
Judon bagged 15.5 sacks playing OLB for New England in 2022 and was leading the NFL in sacks in 2023 before suffering a torn biceps in Week 4. The Detroit native didn't click in Atlanta in 2024 (no one did!), but if he's got a late-career rebound in him, Judon's length and craftiness at EDGE are exactly what the Lions covet at the position.
Gerald Everett
Once upon a time, Everett and Lions QB Jared Goff had a nice connection during their Rams days. Everett doesn't offer much in the way of run blocking, but he's still a capable chip-and-release receiver who can break the initial tackle.
Mike Hilton
If anything happens to the Lions CB group early in camp, Hilton makes for a definite "Grit Fit" in Detroit. Short-not-small, the 31-year-old corner is an aggressive run defender who proved in recent Cincinnati seasons he can still cover quickness very well.
Safety Jordan Whitehead would have been on the list, but his health status is unknown after being involved in a car accident in January, forcing the Buccaneers to place him on the non-football injury list.
The list does include several former Lions aside from Smith. Notable ex-Detroit players include:
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
31 minutes ago
- USA Today
Tennessee Titans' Kevin Winston Jr. tabbed as DROY candidate
The Tennessee Titans went heavy on the offensive side of the ball during the 2025 NFL draft, adding multiple potential playmakers to the roster. That doesn't mean they ignored the defense. They used two premium picks on that side of the ball and added players who can potentially make an impact in Femi Oladejo and Kevin Winston Jr. Both Oladejo and Winston have a chance to compete for playing time. However, Winston has been limited due to his medical issues as he continues to rehab his knee after suffering an ACL injury early in 2024. That doesn't stop Jacob Infante from naming Winston his choice as the Titans' Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate. Tennessee Titans: Kevin Winston Jr. The Tennessee Titans took just one defender in the first five rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. Almost by default, Kevin Winston Jr. seems like their top contender for Defensive Rookie of the Year. As a third-round safety, his odds of winning DROY aren't incredibly high. That said, he's a hard-hitting defensive back with a high football IQ. If he gets the right opportunity, he could surprise some people. His selection of Winston appears to be by default, after glossing over the Titans' second-round selection of Oladejo. There is no doubt that Winston could make an impact in 2025 if healthy. He is a complete safety prospect with the traits needed to succeed in the defense, but his biggest question will be his availability as he returns from injury. While Winston could make an impact, Oladejo has a more straightforward path to playing time early in the season. Oladejo may be inexperienced and raw on the edge, but he brings solid athleticism and an infectious attitude to the table, and comes complete with tremendous upside. With Tennessee needing increased production from the position, Oladejo may get an opportunity early on to impress. While it is likely that both players will see significant playing time, the Titans also added a veteran during the offseason at their respective positions, making training camp crucial for both young players to establish themselves.
USA Today
31 minutes ago
- USA Today
Tennessee Titans' Johnny Hekker on joining John Fassel: 'Dream come true'
The Tennessee Titans surprised quite a few fans when they decided to move on from punter Ryan Stonehouse. The young punter not only had a big leg, but he had also become a fan favorite during his time in Nashville. To replace Stonehouse, the Titans opted for consistency and added potentially one of the best punters in NFL history: Johnny Hekker. The 13-year veteran, known more for placement than a booming leg, can bring an added dimension to the special teams units that struggled to hold their own in 2024. Hekker recently spoke with Jim Wyatt and discussed his decision to join the Titans and why he left the Carolina Panthers for Nashville. Now heading into his 14th season, the choice was easy for the member of the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team; he jumped at an opportunity to be reunited with new Titans special teams coordinator John Fassel. "It was an opportunity to come and be somewhere where my contributions will hopefully help a team turn the page into a bright future," Hekker said. "And being reunited with Bones (Fassel) had a huge part to do with it, too, the impact he's had on my career, from my time with him, and him coaching against me. Even then, I could still pick his brain and still be a friend. We've always had a great relationship.' "So, the door being open to join him again was a dream come true. I'm just thankful to be on a team that's hungry to improve and turn the tide here. Excited about the future of the program. I'm excited to be a Titan." Hekker broke into the league with the Los Angeles Rams under the tutelage of Fassel, who was his special-teams coordinator. Fassel coached Hecker with the Rams while he was punting for the team from 2012 to 2019, and reuniting with him was a massive draw to Nashville. Still playing at a high level, Hekker is coming off another solid season in 2024, where he averaged 45.7 yards on 73 punts with a 41.5-yard net. But he is also excited about the possibility of showcasing his versatility, given his familiarity with Fassel's reputation as a trickster. For his career, he's completed 15-of-26 passes for 193 yards with a touchdown and one interception. Whether that happens is yet to be seen, but even without completing a pass, Hekker's presence should make for a more successful season for the Titans' punt coverage units.
USA Today
36 minutes ago
- USA Today
Cowboys lineman projected for $76 million deal to run numbers up if they wait too long
The Dallas Cowboys haven't struck gold in the first round since 2022. While it's still a bit early to call DT Mazi Smith a bust and way too early to say such things about Tyler Guyton, the club hasn't nailed a pick out the box since drafting Tyler Smith. The club had a clear plan for the young lineman, and even when that went up in smoke due to an injury to his linemate, Smith proved to be everything the team had imagined, and is already revered as one of the NFL's best lineman. Smith was drafted to be an eventual replacement for Tyron Smith at left tackle, but the club intended on him playing guard until the elder Smith retired. A major injury towards the end of 2022 training camp moved Tyler Smith outside to tackle a year early, and he acquitted himself very well there. He moved back inside for 2023, earning All-Pro honors in his second year. Despite moving back outside for a game and a half, the staff seems committed to allowing him to thrive on the inside for now and the immediate future. Rundown Position: Offensive Guard Age: 24 Height: 6-foot-6 Weight: 332 pounds Hometown: Ft. Worth, TX High School: North Crowley College: Tulsa (Film Study Video) Draft: 2022 First-round pick (No. 24 Overall) Acquired: 2022 Draft Contract: Four-year contract (2022), $13.4 million 2025 Base Salary: $2.5 million | Cap Hit: $4.3 million Career Earnings: $4.3 million (per Over TheCap) Profile Dallas loved what Smith did on the interior so much, they drafted Guyton in the first round in 2024 to man the outside after saying goodbye to Tyron Smith in free agency. And despite Guyton's clear struggles, the road is paved for him to get another season there. It will always exist in the back of everyone's mind that Smith is more than a serviceable player on the outside, and until Guyton establishes himself as a plus starter, the option will always exist for Smith to be pushed back outside. And perhaps the front office, while not trying to undercut Guyton's confidence, prepared for that possibility. The team added four players capable of starting at guard this offseason in ERFA Brock Hoffman, veteran FA Saahdiq Charles, veteran OT/OG Hakeem Adeniji and drafting Tyler Booker in the first round. Booker will start at right guard unless something goes wrong, but all are capable of playing left guard if the best move for Dallas is to push Tyler Smith back outside to left tackle. In addition, Smith is on his way to a well-deserved new contract. The Cowboys have a fifth-year option invoked that will keep Smith with the team in 2026 for $21.2 million, but he's eligible for a contract extension now, and the club may want to buck their trend and pay him now instead of drawing things out. Spotrac projects him as being worth a four-year, $76 million extension, or $19.1 per season now, and that price tag will only increase with another Pro Bowl or All-Pro season. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
