NFL Free Agency 2025: Detroit Lions Depth Chart + Offseason Moves

The Dallas Cowboys once dubbed themselves “America’s Team”. But, for the 2025 season, the Detroit Lions felt like America’s team. Just a bunch of likeable, hard-working guys playing behind a quirky yet charming leader. It was a fun season.

Unfortunately, the ending wasn’t as fun as they fell to the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. Other teams around the country noticed how much fun they were having and came along to poach their coaches. Notably, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson left for the Chicago Bears and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn left for the New York Jets.

Now the Lions will attempt to put it back together again and make a run. And, honestly, if they just get healthy, they don’t need to do much. Let’s take a look at the depth chart, the contracts, the salary cap, and the free agents to figure out what might be the right path for this team. We’ll make our predictions and maybe give you a bit of an edge in your dynasty fantasy football leagues and mock drafts as well!

*The salary cap numbers referenced in this article come courtesy of our friends over at Spotrac.com*

Detroit Lions Depth Chart 2025 (Fantasy Football Relevant)

• White = free agent
• Green = role is safe
• Yellow =  role in flux
• Orange = likely a depth piece
• Red = roster spot not guaranteed

Detroit Lions Free Agency 2025

CURRENT PROJECTED 2025 SALARIES: $250M

CURRENT ESTIMATED 2025 CAP SPACE: $48M

Lions Quarterback Depth Chart

Jared Goff: The Lions signed Goff to a fairly large extension that likely keeps him at the helm of the team through 2026 at least. Technically they could trade him in 2026 and save $25.8M but they’d be carrying $43.8M in dead cap. In 2027 and 2028 it becomes far more reasonable to move on, if that’s what they choose to do. Some folks have been split on whether the team can get over the hump and win with Goff or not.

In your dynasty fantasy football leagues, Goff is the exact kind of guy that you like having in superflex or two quarterback leagues but he doesn’t do much for you in single QB leagues. Goff is a hold for me where I have him but I’m prioritizing high risk, high reward QBs on my bench if he’s in a starting spot. He really has zero interest in running the football so he needs to be in that ~35-40 TD pass range to be a difference-maker. This year he was as he threw 37 and finished as the QB6 but he will have to do so without OC Ben Johnson moving forward.

Hendon Hooker: The Lions had Jared Goff so they knew they could afford to take a shot on Hendon Hooker in the 2023 draft even though his odds of being available for the 2023 season were low. They’ve been quietly developing him behind Goff and this quote from Lions HC Dan Campbell paints a picture of the reality for many QBs in Hendon’s position.

"He just needs reps. And it doesn’t matter if it’s us or it’s them or it’s a game, he just needs reps and reps and reps, and he goes to bed and he needs reps, and he wakes up and he needs reps."

The nature of Jared Goff’s play-style doesn’t expose him to a lot of danger. So Hooker basically plays in the preseason then sits for the regular season. There have been trade talks surrounding Hooker but no one really knows what they have. And he was an older prospect so he’s already 27. I have a hard time believing in Hooker because of the acquisition of the QB we’ll talk about next, Teddy Bridgewater.

Teddy Bridgewater: The Teddy Bridgewater situation makes me nervous about Hendon Hooker because it essentially told us they did not trust Hooker. When Goff was shaken up in the divisional playoff round, it was Bridgewater that came in and played despite being with the team for less than a month. That’s a pretty far cry from a team like the Packers that leaned on Malik Willis to start meaningful games.

Teddy Bridgewater will likely continue to be a “player coach” if teams will have him before eventually being a coach himself. He’s already been coaching high school football and his team won the Florida Class 3A state championship in his first year.

• Reserves/Futures: Jake Fromm

LIONS QB FREE AGENCY TAKE: Some analysts out there are predicting that the Lions draft another QB to eventually be the heir to Jared Goff. The Hendon Hooker trade rumors are out there. I think, in the Lions current position, they probably look for the best combination or reliable and affordable in a backup, like Teddy Bridgewater offered. A guy like Jacoby Brissett could fit that bill as well.

POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Teddy Bridgewater, Jacoby Brissett, Joe Flacco, Marcus Mariota

Lions Running Back Depth Chart

David Montgomery: The Lions have two backs at the top of the depth chart but David Montgomery primarily operates on first down, so we’ll start there. And there’s not really a whole lot to say. Monty is signed to a long-term contract. There’s no benefit in trading or releasing him. They have plenty of cap space. And they like him. He’s locked in as the “starter” and goal line back for the Lions which makes him a valuable fantasy asset.

Jahmyr Gibbs: The days of the “bell cow” back in the NFL ended around the time the 2010 CBA expanded the rosters to 53 plays. And no team currently embraces that more than the Lions with their 1-2 punch. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery both have the capability of being RB1s in fantasy football though Gibbs offers more PPR upside with his pass-catching ability and explosiveness. He’s on a rookie deal through 2027 so they don’t need to start talking extension just yet.

Craig Reynolds: They like Craig Reynolds. Not only is he a solid backup on offense but he plays on multiple special teams units. He’s a restricted free agent so they could use a “right of first refusal” tender and sign him for $3.267 million but I imagine they will try to work out something like a two-year deal that makes everyone happy.

Sione Vaki: If the Lions do decide to let Reynolds walk, that bumps Vaki up the depth chart. The fourth-round pick currently primarily plays special teams but has some interesting upside if he were to get a shot. He’s a deeper dynasty league stash only given they have two stud RBs.

• Reserves/Futures: N/A

LIONS RB FREE AGENCY TAKE: If they bring back Craig Reynolds they are honestly pretty set. If not then they’ll need someone else to come in as depth that can also contribute on special teams.

POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Craig Reynolds, Elijah Mitchell, JaMycal Hasty, D’Ernest Johnson, Travis Homer

Lions Wide Receiver Depth Chart

Amon-Ra St. Brown: It speaks to how well Brad Holmes has done with this team that theyw ere able to give star WR Amon-Ra St. Brown a big contract and still have plenty of cap space. If ARSB continues on his current trajectory, he might be the best WR ever drafted in the fourth round. As of now it’s probably only Brandon Marshall ahead of him.

Jameson Williams: Williams has had a shaky start to his career to say the least. Between the injuries and the off-field drama, he hasn’t been super reliable. And, when he is out there, he hasn’t been very consistent either. But that’s the nature of the field stretching role - it’s helpful in real life football to take the safeties with you but doesn’t translate to a lot of points.

He did manage his first 1,000-yard season fueled primarily by big plays. If you play in best ball or standard leagues, this is a guy I’m targeting. In any sort of PPR format I’d categorize him more as a hold - the big weeks can outweigh the down weeks but there are times where he is frustrating to roster. The addition of a third WR could have an impact on Williams so beware.

Tim Patrick: Tim Patrick came on board as a big body that can tether his foot to the line either as a split end or as a “big slot”. He’s especially effective against zone so, if he walks in free agency, they’re going to need someone who offers that element.

Kalif Raymond: Kalif Raymond is under contract for 2025 and I expect him to be there on the 53-man roster specifically because of what he offers as a punt returner. If anything were to happen to ARSB, he could pick up decent work in the slot as well.

Antoine Green: One potential replacement for Tim Patrick could be the mysterious Antoine Green. We haven’t seen much of him so far but Brad Holmes quipped that his injury “threw off their plans at wide receiver”. The Lions signed Tim Patrick and Allen Robinson. That narrative alone should have Green on your radar even if he’s more of a “watch list” level guy.

Allen Robinson: Allen Robinson was brought in to compete for that split end role but Tim Patrick pretty clearly beat him out. I don’t expect him back as an unrestricted free agent.

• Reserves/Futures: Tom Kennedy, Ronnie Bell

LIONS WR FREE AGENCY TAKE: They have their slot/flanker in ARSB. They have their field stretcher in Jameson Williams. What they could use is a big body that can play split end, even if they are only on the field for three WR sets. Here are some free agent names that could fit the bill. They do have some cap space to work with. Tee Higgins would have been the top candidate but it’s looking more and more likely he will be a Bengal.

POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Tim Patrick, Amari Cooper, DeAndre Hopkins, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine-Ikhine, Demarcus Robinson

Lions Tight End Depth Chart

Sam LaPorta: Sam LaPorta was clearly not healthy for good chunks of these season. And his final statline of 60/726/7 was not bad at all, the expectations might have just been set at little high. He’s a great player on a cheap rookie deal so there’s no threat to his role.

The question for his fantasy football value is where he falls in the target pecking order. Virtually all high end TE options are either first or second on their team in targets. ARSB is clearly #1. So he’s battling with Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs for #2. Any sort of high end WR addition at split end could further muddy those waters. He’s always a threat to score and the TE position is thin so you probably just hold him and start him if you have him. I’m not going crazy trying to acquire him though as the price is still very high.

Brock Wright: Brock Wright has been extended through 2026 so they have their TE2 in place if they need him. When LaPorta is healthy, Wright is more of a blocking tight end. When LaPorta misses games, Wright is elevated to a bigger role like Week 11 when he played 82% of the snaps.

Shane Zylstra: Zylstra is a converted WR so he’s always going to skew pass-catching. Fantasy gamers will remember him for the big 3 TD game he had a couple years ago. He’s a restricted free agent but I don’t expect them to use that tender on him at $3+ million. He could be back though on a cheaper deal.

• Reserves/Futures: N/A

LIONS TE FREE AGENCY TAKE: The Lions have their top two dogs set. Since Wright skews more blocking, they might want to have some sort of pass-catching depth on the roster in case of emergency. Zylstra could be back in that capacity but here are some other cheap options out there. They probably would not spring for the likes of Mike Gesicki, Juwan Johnson, or Gerald Everett - but maybe.

• POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Shane Zylstra, Hayden Hurst, Kylen Granson, Tanner Hudson, Stone Smartt, Lucas Krull