2026 free agent targets who could fill holes on Detroit Lions’ roster
The Detroit Lions have some big holes to fill for the upcoming season.
After a disappointing 9-8 season in which the Lions fell to last place in the NFC North, they will prepare for the 2026 season and will need to improve their roster to compete in a division where every team had a winning record this season.
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These needs, especially on the offensive line, will be exacerbated if veterans Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow decide to retire.
The Lions can retool for the 2026 season through various methods, including the 2026 NFL Draft in which they currently hold the 17th overall pick. But even before April’s draft, the Lions will consider upgrades via free agency, which officially opens March 11.
We previously identified the four most important positions the Lions need to fill this offseason: edge defender, interior offensive lineman, offensive tackle and safety. And with the regular season officially over (and the Lions out of playoff spots for the first time since 2022), the front office, led by general manager Brad Holmes, can begin targeting free agents for potential signings in two months.
Here are some of the top 2026 free agents at key positions the Lions should consider signing.
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MORE: Dan Campbell: ‘Freaky’ injuries not Lions coaching staff’s fault
Edge rusher
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) is sacked by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) during the second half at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, October 5, 2025.
Yes, the Lions have been connected to pass rushers on the market for over a year, still needing a partner for newly paid Aidan Hutchinson. And yes, the same names come up, including Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals and Jaelan Phillips of the Philadelphia Eagles.
But there’s a reason these names are still worth mentioning.
Although Hendrickson recorded just four sacks in an injury-plagued 2025, he recorded 35 between 2023 and 2024, including a league-high 17½ in 2024. He’s the top passer on the free agent market, and at 31, he may not have as high a contract as the four-year, $60 million he has signed with the Bengals from 2021 to 2024.
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Phillips, meanwhile, could be an ideal partner for Hutchinson. At 26 years old, Phillips will be one of the youngest high-profile free agents and has played an important role on the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense following his mid-season trade to the Miami Dolphins. He also plays the run, a key trait the Lions value.
Boye Mafe of the Seattle Seahawks and Odafe Oweh of the Los Angeles Chargers also fit the same profile as Phillips, but might be more inclined to stay with their respective teams and top-tier defenses.
Longtime quarterbacks Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack will be available at relatively discounted prices considering their ages, with the 30-year-old Bosa playing well on a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills in 2025.
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And if you think his improvement in 2025 was real, Al-Quadin Muhammad could re-sign in Detroit, although that signing wouldn’t be as dramatic as other free agent moves.
Interior offensive line
Derrick Henry celebrates with Tyler Linderbaum, left, and Deandre Hopkins after scoring a Baltimore Ravens touchdown in the third quarter against the New York Jets at M&T Bank Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Baltimore.
There’s only one free agent interior offensive lineman worth serious consideration for the Lions, but he’s arguably the player Holmes should target the hardest.
Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum is going to land a huge free agent deal, and the 25-year-old will be well worth it, our Lions insider Dave Birkett says in his New Year’s resolution for the Lions.
A Linderbaum signing could also be a two-for-one deal, as it could convince Decker to come back for one more year. It could also move guard Tate Ratledge away from center and help reinvigorate a talented running back tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. It’s an obvious move… if the Lions can find the money to make it happen, of course – OverTheCap.com estimates that the Lions currently have minus $12.2 million in effective cap space.
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Offensive tackle
Rasheed Walker of the Green Bay Packers leaves the field after a victory against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 27, 2025 in Detroit.
The need for a big-time offensive tackle depends heavily on Decker’s retirement decision, and even if Decker doesn’t return in 2026, the Lions might be better off drafting a tackle instead of pursuing one in free agency.
Still, there are options for the Lions at the position if needed.
The biggest name is probably Green Bay’s Rasheed Walker, who is looking to become a free agent after the playoffs. A former seventh-round pick, Walker, soon to be 26, became a three-year starter for the Packers and an indispensable part of quarterback Jordan Love’s pass protection.
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A short-term solution for the Lions could be Braden Smith, who spent his first eight NFL seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, or the Cleveland Browns’ midseason trade acquisition Cam Robinson. Neither would present an upgrade over Decker, especially since both would be over 30 at the start of the 2026 season, but they could be better options than a first-round selection who might take a few years to get into shape.
Security
Los Angeles Rams safety Kam Curl in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on November 9, 2025.
The situation in the secondary has turned around for the Lions since last winter, when Detroit entered the offseason with an excellent safety but needed a lot of help at the cornerback position. The Lions responded by making cornerback DJ Reed their biggest offseason signing.
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Now that the Lions enter 2026 with a lot of questions at safety (and a lot less at cornerback), will they make another splash by signing an expensive defensive back?
Much will depend on how the team feels about Brian Branch’s torn Achilles and the condition of Kerby Joseph’s knee. If they anticipate one or both returning to form in 2026, they might be hesitant to spend on an unimpressive free agent safety class. But if they want security, there will be a few options available this spring.
Kam Curl of the Los Angeles Rams proved to be a versatile defensive back, and Coby Bryant of the Seattle Seahawks played literally everywhere in the secondary during his four-year NFL career. Ar’Darius Washington of the Baltimore Ravens could also be an interesting signing, but don’t be surprised if the Lions return Thomas Harper and a first or second round pick until Branch is healthy.
And while the signings are more about depth rather than addressing starting positions, the Lions could also bring back Detroit native Rock Ya-Sin and/or Avonte Maddox on one-year free agent deals.
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions Could Look at These 13 NFL Free Agents in 2026
