With the 2024 NFL Draft behind us, teams now have a pretty good idea of what their roster will look like heading into the 2024-2025 NFL season. One of the most interesting teams heading into this year will again be the Detroit Lions. Last year, the Lions made the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and won the NFC North for the first time ever. With the solid additions of Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the draft this year, the Lions did a good job of filling multiple needs in their roster. Like every team though, the Lions still have some holes that need to be filled this offseason. With solid options still available, here are three Detroit Lions free agent targets including wide receiver Tyler Boyd.
3 Detroit Lions Free Agency Targets
Tyler Boyd (WR)
There is no doubt that the Lions have one of the best wide receivers in the NFL in Amon-Ra St. Brown. It would seem the Lions realize the talent they have as they recently rewarded him with a new contract extension worth over $120 million. For as good as he has been for Detroit, he can’t do it all, and the Lions don’t have many solid options behind him. After Amon-Ra, the Lions have Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond, and Donovan Peoples-Jones. The top need for the Detroit Lions free agent targets is receiver.
Tyler Boyd has made a career out of being one of the “next guys” with the Cincinnati Bengals. Since he was drafted in the second round in 2016, Boyd has amassed 6,000 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns along with two seasons with over 1,000 yards. Boyd has shown that he is as durable as they come, playing 15 or more games in the last five seasons.
With Boyd proving more than capable at being a solid second option, and him projected to fetch a market value of approximately $8 million per year, he is a great fit for a Lions team that has over $13 million in cap room as it stands.
Shaquille Leonard (LB)
Looking at the Lions’ roster and depth chart, there aren’t many holes on the defense. One issue that is apparent is their lack of overall talent and depth at the linebacker slot. Detroit does have Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes, but outside of them, nobody else is anyone to be excited about.
When bringing up Shaquille Leonard, the first thing to mention is the injury history. Lately, injuries haven’t been kind to him and his expressed frustration with his lack of snaps when he returned from injury last year caused the Indianapolis Colts to release him. He finished the season with the Philadelphia Eagles and played a total of 14 games.
Leonard may not be the star he once was when he racked up three straight Pro Bowl seasons from 2019-2021. With that in mind, his injury history has been more bad luck than anything else as his back issue he had solved with surgery before the 2022 season has only flared up once since then.
Leonard is a heck of a linebacker who could easily see starting snaps for the Lions, if not at least giving them a very talented depth piece that could be very productive even on a snap count. He fits with the Lions brand and would definitely be able to be signed while giving the Lions more than enough salary cap space.
Yannick Ngakoue (DE)
When you take into account the Lions’ cap room, the current available free agents at defensive end, and the amount of those who are actually solid players, there aren’t many options available. While Yannick Ngakoue did break his ankle in the Chicago Bears’ Week 10 win over the Lions in the middle of December, the Lions have the luxury of being able to wait.
With the monster that is Aidan Hutchinson on their defensive line and a much improved secondary, the Lions should have a defense that takes another step forward this year. Now imagine that defense being able to add Ngakoue into that mix when he’s able to come back from injury.
Ngakoue has been an absolute stud everywhere he’s been since he was drafted in 2016. Outside of his injury-shortened 2023 season, Ngakoue has racked up eight or more sacks every season he’s been in the league. Also, outside of his broken ankle, he’s been the poster child of health. He has played 15 or more games each year he’s been in the league outside of last year.
While it remains to be seen how much, if at all, his return from ankle surgery diminishes his play, he would likely be available to Detroit for much cheaper than usual. In addition, Detroit would likely only truly need him for the end of the season and playoffs as their team again appears to be the favorites in the NFC North.
