The Detroit Lions have never won the NFC North. Since joining the division in the 2002 realignment, the Lions have finished second five times and have never won more than 11 games in a season. But the tides are changing in Detroit. Years of organizational incompetence have been eradicated, and things are beginning to look up for the Lions.
A strong free agency period paired with four picks inside the top 60 makes for a much-improved roster, coming off a season where they won nine games and had one of the more efficient offenses in the NFL. Even if Jared Goff takes a step back in 2023, the team has been built to sustain a lower offensive output.
Overall Detroit Lions Free Agency Grades
Detroit has been one of the busier teams during the free agency cycle. They’ve signed 10 players thus far, and seven of them have an average annual value of over $4 million. However, none of the players come in over $11 million.
Maybe it’s a bit more aggressive than the Patriot Way, but it feels similar to how New England constructs their roster — by building a strong middle class with depth and solid defensive talent. Defense was the Lions’ issue a season ago, but it should be much improved this year. In a league where coverage is king, Detroit has absolutely knocked free agency out of the park so far, pairing talent with value on the back end.
Grade:Â A
Lions Secure the Slot With Cameron Sutton’s Addition
The Lions didn’t meet the very top of the CB market with Cameron Sutton, but his $11 million annual salary is the third-highest among the cornerbacks signed, and his $22.5 million in total guarantees rank second behind Jamel Dean.
Sutton is one of the better slot defenders in the NFL, and the Lions’ secondary needed a ton of help heading into 2023. Seeing them add three young players to the back end was a great call by the organization.
Grade:Â B
Lions Take Advantage of Non-Existent Market For C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Seeing Detroit sign C.J. Gardner-Johnson feels like a vote of confidence for the 25-year-old. Dan Campbell and, more specifically, Aaron Glenn, have prior experience with Gardner-Johnson with the New Orleans Saints. It appears the league may view him as a risk in some way because his play certainly makes him deserving of a better contract.
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“It’s limitless on what he can do,” Glenn said of Gardner-Johnson in 2019. “He does have the speed and the mentality to go out there and play corner. But he can play nickel, he can play in the box, he can play deep safety. You have fun with players like that, now.”
Between the fit and value, it’s hard not to think Detroit hit this out of the park.
Grade:Â A
Alex Anzalone Lone Mediocre Value
The Lions return Alex Anzalone on a three-year, $18.75 million deal with $9 million in total guarantees. With the linebacker market being an absolute wasteland, it’s a bit surprising to see Anzalone making more money annually than Eric Kendricks.
While Detroit can get out of the deal relatively cleanly after two seasons, the contract still feels relatively expensive for what Anzalone brings. He’s a fine player, but he and his agent won the deal.
Grade: C
Losing Jamaal Williams Is Forgivable With David Montgomery Signing
David Montgomery’s contract makes him the 12th-highest-paid running back in the NFL. At $6 million annually, Montgomery will account for about 2.7% of the team’s salary cap space. Whoever tried to act like that’s an egregious amount to pay for a three-down back is so far gone they’re not worth discussing football with. His contract is a drop in the bucket.
Meanwhile, Montgomery provides Detroit with good pass-protection ability and catch the ball well out of the backfield. He won’t often splash with big plays, which is the most valuable thing an RB can bring, but Montgomery is a steady value.
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There isn’t a better personality in the NFL than Jamaal Williams. And although he’s more inexpensive than Montgomery and led the NFL in touchdowns a season ago, that doesn’t make him the better player. Williams is a fine pickup for the Saints, but his loss doesn’t really move the needle for Detroit, aside from losing one of the best trash-talkers in the sport.
“The offer they gave me, I feel like, was very just disrespectful and just showing that they really didn’t want me to be there like that,” Williams said during his introductory press conference with the Saints. “But it’s all love.”
Grade:Â B
Lions Take High-Risk, High-Reward Approach With Emmanuel Moseley
The Lions’ defensive back unit is starting to round into one of the better groups in the league on paper. Emmanuel Moseley is a bit risky because he’s coming off a torn ACL, but he was playing lights-out football for the 49ers before his injury. Adding Moseley to a unit consisting of Jeff Okudah, Tracy Walker III, Gardner-Johnson, and Sutton gives him the environment he might need coming off his injury.
Grade:Â B
Graham Glasgow Provides Outstanding Interior Depth
Adding Graham Glasgow as a high-end interior backup is an outstanding move for an offense that has built its identity and efficiency on great offensive line play. Glasgow has played over 1,000 snaps at each interior spot on the line over the course of his seven-year career.
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Although injured in 2021, Glasgow has remained relatively healthy throughout his career. He played at least 700 snaps in six of seven seasons, and his reunion with Detroit should be a more enjoyable experience than the first time around.
Grade:Â B
Losing DJ Chark May Hurt, but Only Slightly
Spotrac places DJ Chark’s value at $9.5 million annually, but that is a bit steep considering how the wide receiver market has gone. While Jameson Williams can realistically take over the role as the deep threat of the offense, the Lions undoubtedly want Williams to be more than simply a vertical threat.
Having speed is never a bad thing offensively, particularly in the modern NFL, which continually looks to create space over the middle of the field by occupying safeties with speed vertically.
We can’t grade something that hasn’t happened yet.
