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Detroit Lions: 5 Free agents to sign before training camp

By Samuel Teets

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Cameron Wake #91 of the Tennessee Titans runs onto the field with soldiers before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Nissan Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Chiefs 35-32. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Cameron Wake #91 of the Tennessee Titans runs onto the field with soldiers before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Nissan Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Chiefs 35-32. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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Larry Warford, Detroit Lions (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Larry Warford, Detroit Lions (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

2. Darqueze Dennard, CB

Detroit prioritized the cornerback position this offseason. The Lions used the third overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft on Ohio State’s Jeffrey Okudah. Detroit also reached a two-year, $20 million deal with former Pro Bowler, Desmond Trufant. The deal makes Trufant the 15th highest-paid player at his position in terms of annual salary.

Trufant did intercept four passes last season, but he landed on injured reserve for the second time in four years and allowed too many catches. The Lions could take another swing at landing a cornerback, this time on a cap-friendly deal if they go after Darqueze Dennard.

The Cincinnati Bengals selected Dennard with the 24th overall pick in 2014, but he never developed into a starting-caliber cornerback. Luckily, he wouldn’t have to be in Detroit’s defense. With Okudah and Trufant playing outside and Justin Coleman manning the slot, Dennard could filter in when needed.

Plenty of veteran cornerbacks remain on the market. If the Lions pass on Dennard, they should take a flyer on a cheap but productive veteran. Brandon Carr, Dre Kirkpatrick, and Tramon Williams all fit those criteria.

1. Larry Warford, RG

Earlier this offseason, the New Orleans Saints made the surprising decision to cut Larry Warford in favor of rookie Cesar Ruiz. The move cleared $7.75 million in cap space and put a rare guard on the market. While Warford isn’t an elite player, he did make each of the past three Pro Bowls and could replace Graham Glasgow, who signed with the Denver Broncos, along Detroit’s offensive line.

Oday Aboushi, who signed back-to-back one-year deals with the Lions, holds the team’s top right guard spot on the depth chart. Rookie third-rounder Jonah Jackson could replace the journeyman before or during the season. However, the Lions probably want a qualified, experienced starter filling that spot, especially with the injuries Matthew Stafford suffered last year.

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Warford’s projected market value is substantially higher than the four other players listed in this article. If the Lions don’t want to shell out a large chunk of their remaining cap space for the Pro Bowler, they could target Josh Kline or Ronald Leary. Either way, the Lions should take a long look at their interior offensive line.

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