UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (22)
1. Kicker Michael Badgley
2024 stats: N/A
Twentyman: Badgley was competing with Jake Bates for Detroit's place-kicking job in training camp but tore his hamstring in late July. He was placed on injured reserve and missed the entire season. Bates went on to win the job and have a terrific season.
2. Linebacker Derrick Barnes
2024 stats: 3 games, 10 tackles, 1 PD
Twentyman: Barnes suffered a significant knee injury Week 3 in Arizona that required surgery and cost him the rest of the season. The Lions missed his versatility at the SAM linebacker spot, an important position in Aaron Glenn's defense.
3. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater
2024 stats: 1-for-1, 20 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
Twentyman: The veteran re-signed with Detroit in late December after coaching his high school alma mater to a Florida state championship in the fall. The Lions chose Bridgewater to be Jared Goff's backup in the playoffs.
4. Defensive end John Cominsky
2024 stats: N/A
Twentyman: Cominsky was expected to be a key rotational player along Detroit's defensive line this season but suffered a torn MCL in his right knee in training camp and missed the entire season.
5. Defensive end Marcus Davenport
2024 stats: 2 games, 1 tackle, 0.5 sacks, 4 QBH
Twentyman: Like Barnes, Davenport was lost for the season in Week 3 in Arizona after suffering a season-ending torn triceps injury. Detroit loved the idea of his size opposite Aidan Hutchinson, but never saw enough of him. Davenport hasn't started more than nine games in a season since 2019.
6. Cornerback Carlton Davis III
2024 stats: 56 tackles, 2 TFL, 11 PD, 2 INT, 1 FF, 2 FR
Twentyman: Davis was playing at a Pro Bowl level this season before a broken jaw suffered Week 15 vs. Buffalo ended his season. He's going to be one of the most coveted free-agent cornerbacks on the market this offseason, so the Lions have a big decision to make if they want to tag him, re-sign him or let him walk and go younger at the position.
7. Cornerback Khalil Dorsey
2024 stats: 14 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 PD
Twentyman: Dorsey was one of the best gunners on special teams in the NFL this season and a reliable backup at cornerback. He unfortunately suffered a broken leg Week 15 vs. Buffalo.
8. Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu
2024 stats: 4 games, 12 tackles, 1 TFL, 1.0 sack, 2 QBH
Twentyman: Melifonwu dealt with ankle and finger injuries that prevented him from returning to the field until late December. He indicated after the season he'd like to re-sign with Detroit after being drafted here as part of Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell's first draft class in 2021. He is a versatile defensive back when healthy.
9. Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley
2024 stats: N/A
Twentyman: It never really worked out in Detroit for Moseley mostly due to injury. He just never got to a point where he was among Detroit's top six cornerbacks on the roster.
10. Linebacker Al-Quadin Muhammad
2024 stats: 11 tackles, 4 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 5 QBH
Twentyman: After Detroit suffered a rash of injuries in the first month of the season, Muhammad signed in October and ended up playing in nine games and making an impact as a versatile edge defender. He said after the season he'd like to re-sign with the Lions.
11. Guard Netane Muti
2024 stats: N/A
Twentyman: Muti suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the same training camp practice Cominsky was injured and was lost for the year on July 30.
12. Linebacker Ben Niemann
2024 stats: 25 tackles, 1 PD, 1 FR
Twentyman: Niemann played in every game this season with four starts as Detroit had to shuffle around at linebacker quite a bit due to injury. Niemann is a seven-year veteran who can play a number of different roles at linebacker.
13. Defensive tackle Pat O'Connor
2024 stats: 18 tackles, 2 TFL, 1.0 sack, 1 QBH
Twentyman: O'Connor added some experienced depth along Detroit's defensive line and ended up playing a key role down the stretch because of injuries in front of him. A calf injury prevented him from playing in the playoff game.
14. Defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike
2024 stats: 28 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 TFL, 13 QBH, 1 FF
Twentyman: Onwuzurike had his finest season as a professional in his fourth season after nearly losing his career to a back injury early on. The former second-round draft pick by the Lions in 2021 showed he can be a reliable contributor in a defensive line rotation.
15. Wide receiver Tim Patrick
2024 stats: 34 rec., 416 yards, 3 TD
Twentyman: What a terrific post-camp signing Patrick turned out to be. The veteran added much-needed size to Detroit's receiver room and really rounded out that receiving corps nicely for the Lions. He quickly earned the trust of Goff.
16. Defensive tackle Kyle Peko
2024 stats: 5 games, 2 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 QBH
Twentyman: Peko was a key reserve for Detroit's defensive front early on before suffering a torn pectoral muscle Week 6 in Dallas.
17. Wide receiver Allen Robinson
2024 stats: 3 rec., 30 yards
Twentyman: The 11-year veteran added some experienced depth to Detroit's receiver room and special teams units but didn't contribute much on the stat sheet.
18. Tackle Dan Skipper
2024 stats: 1 rec., 9 yards, 1 TD, 1 penalty, 1 sack allowed
Twentyman: Skipper has become a cult hero in Detroit as the team's primary swing tackle this season. He was good when asked to make a spot start at left tackle in place of an injured Taylor Decker and is one of the glue pieces to the roster on offense.
19. Linebacker Ezekiel Turner
2024 stats: 12 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 3 QBH
Twentyman: Turner signed with the Lions in November when they were being hit hard by injuries. He gave them some versatility and helped stem the loss of Alex Anzalone until he could return from a broken forearm.
20. Cornerback Kindle Vildor
2024 stats: 17 tackles, 4 PD
Twentyman: Vildor provided experienced depth for the Lions and a couple times stepped into the starting lineup and played pretty well at the outside cornerback spot.
21. Defensive lineman Jonah Williams
2024 stats: 2 games, 1 QBH
Twentyman: Williams was signed off the Rams' practice squad in late November as injury help upfront along Detroit's defensive line. He's got some inside/outside versatility to his game.
22. Guard Kevin Zeitler
2024 stats: 2 penalties, 5.0 sacks allowed
Twentyman: Zeitler was signed last offseason to a one-year deal and was a perfect fit at right guard for the Lions. He was a Pro Bowl alternate and was one of the best guards in the NFL this season.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (5)
1. Defensive lineman Myles Adams
2024 stats: 4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1.0 sack, 2 QBH
Twentyman: Adams was signed off Seattle's practice squad in late November and ended up playing the last four games of the regular season and in the playoff game.
2. Guard Kayode Awosika
2024 stats: 3 penalties, 0 sacks allowed
Twentyman: Awosika lost his primary backup role at guard to rookie draft pick Christian Mahogany, but he still provides terrific depth at the position and is an ascending player in just his fourth season.
3. Linebacker Anthony Pittman
2024 stats: 2 tackles, 1 FF
Twentyman: Pittman was signed off Jacksonville's practice squad in mid-December to add depth at linebacker. He's still one of the better special teams players in the NFL.
4. Running back Craig Reynolds
2024 stats: 31 rushes, 139 yards (4.5 avg.), 3 rec., 40 yards
Twentyman: Reynolds has been a reliable backup and special teamer since arriving in Detroit in 2021. Whenever asked to step in and play a role all he does is produce.
5. Tight end Shane Zylstra
2024 stats: 1 rec., 22 yards
Twentyman: Zylstra won the third tight end role behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright coming out of camp. The Lions like his versatility and special teams prowess.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS (4)
1. Linebacker Mitchell Agude
2024 stats: 3 tackles
Twentyman: Agude (6-4, 250) is still a developmental player with some unique athletic and size traits the Lions might want to continue to work with and develop.
2. Tackle Connor Galvin
2024 stats: N/A
Twentyman: Galvin suffered a torn MCL in the preseason and spent the season rehabbing.
3. Offensive lineman Michael Niese
2024 stats: 1 penalty, 0 sacks allowed
Twentyman: Niese is a backup interior offensive lineman with the ability to play guard and center. He was a valued reserve all season.
4. Linebacker Trevor Nowaske
2024 stats: 23 tackles, 2 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 1 QBH, 1 INT, 1 PD
Twentyman: Nowaske was signed back to the roster after training camp and was asked to step into a bigger role at linebacker due to injury. He showed off his versatility and production.
*All 2024 stats include the playoffs
