Brad Holmes: Detroit Lions Had 'Best' Free Agency in GM Tenure

Brad Holmes confident Lions had stellar free agency.

Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader / Perry Knotts/GettyImages

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes believes the organization had a prime opportunity to improve the team in free agency.

After a successful 2023 season, the organization is no longer going to be the hunter, as the league has been put on notice that Dan Campbell is aiming to win the Super Bowl and keep the team competive for the next several seasons.

The front office has made a calculated effort to target players that fit the culture and can fit within the parameters of the salary cap.

"I truly believe this was our best free agency of all that we've had since we've been here," Holmes said, via MLive. "The reason why I say that is through our planning and process this year, we have these No. 1 targets, and we were able to get every single one of our No. 1 targets."

At the annual league meeting, coaches who worked with Detroit's new additions praised the veterans added to the roster.

"Kevin’s (Zeitler) an excellent football player," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "He’s got a lot left in the tank. Very tough, physical guy. Kind of in a lot of ways, was about the personality of our team. He kind of established us that way."

Dan Campbell expressed cornerback Amik Robertson showcased his competitiveness when he still wanted to be part of the team after Carlton Davis was added to the roster.

"This guy plays like a big corner, he’s aggressive, he’s competitive, he’s got good ball skills and he’s smart. He’s a ball guy, he’s a football player," Campbell said. "One of the things I loved is, we were going back and forth with Amik and then we make the Carlton trade. We’re like, we’re gonna lose Amik because we just trade for a corner. He’s like, ‘Are we gonna get this done or not?’ He wanted to come because to him, he’s coming in to compete to start. He wants to come in and earn his right. I love that about this kid.” 

DJ Reader jumped off the screen when Detroit's coaching staff and front office evaluated his film.

Campbell indicated the skillset the veteran brings to the table is going to improve the defensive line in 2024. With Marcus Davenport also joining the fold as a defensive end, the Lions stockpiled talent on their defensive front.

"A lot of it is, alright, who’s this guy opposite of Hutch that can really crush the pocket and close it down," Campbell explained. "Whether he makes it or he sends it to Hutch was really a lot of what this is. We kind of felt like we got a compliment to Hutch, a compliment to Mac, and these guys collectively are gonna make each other better."

With Davis, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has more flexibility regarding his defensive calls, as the former Buccaneers defensive back is a player that can at times take away one side of the field.

Campbell expressed that playing the Buccaneers twice in 2023 gave him confidence the team was adding a solid contributor, as he did not want the Lions' offense targeting passes in his direction.