4 Mid-Tier Free Agents Who Make Most Sense for Detroit Lions

Here are four mid-tier free agents Lions should target this offseason.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The Detroit Lions don't need to win the offseason with splashy, headline-grabbing contracts. General manager Brad Holmes has built this roster by finding value — players who outperform their price tags. If Detroit wants to stay aggressive without breaking the bank, targeting mid-tier free agents is the most sensible approach. Here are four mid-tier free agents who make the most sense for the Lions.

Why it matters

The Lions are looking to continue building their roster through smart, value-driven free agent signings that can provide quality production without breaking the bank. Targeting mid-tier free agents allows the team to be aggressive in free agency while maintaining financial flexibility.

The details

The four mid-tier free agents highlighted are: C Cade Mays from the Carolina Panthers, S Coby Bryant from the Seattle Seahawks, EDGE Jadeveon Clowney from the Dallas Cowboys, and CB Roger McCreary from the Los Angeles Rams. Each player is projected to sign a contract worth between $5-15 million per year and would fill key needs for the Lions, such as upgrading the offensive line, adding depth at safety, complementing the pass rush, and shoring up the secondary.

  • The 2026 NFL free agency period begins on March 18, 2026.

The players

Cade Mays

A center who has quietly developed into one of the more dependable interior pass-protectors in the NFL, allowing just 21 pressures and zero sacks across 756 pass-blocking snaps over the last two seasons.

Coby Bryant

A versatile defensive back who has transitioned primarily to safety over the last two seasons, posting a 72.7 overall PFF grade and an 80.9 run-defense grade since 2024.

Jadeveon Clowney

A veteran pass-rusher who has maintained a high level of production, owning an 83.2 cumulative PFF grade while averaging 589 snaps per season over the last three years.

Roger McCreary

A cornerback with inside-outside versatility and starting upside, who elevated his play after joining the Rams midseason, recording a 79.4 coverage grade and tying for fourth among slot corners with 6.9 snaps per target.

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What’s next

The Lions will have the opportunity to sign these mid-tier free agents when the 2026 NFL free agency period begins on March 18, 2026.

The takeaway

By targeting mid-tier free agents, the Detroit Lions can continue to build their roster with quality players who can outperform their contracts, allowing the team to be aggressive in free agency without breaking the bank.