Top Defensive Free Agents Available for Lions

Examining the top defensive talent still available in free agency.

The Detroit Lions entered the offseason committed to upgrading their defense. 

Detroit general manager Brad Holmes was busy in the early stretch of free agency. The Lions signed three players in the secondary, and re-signed important members of their linebacker and defensive line groups. 

In the draft, the Lions selected linebacker Jack Campbell in the first round. Holmes continued to address the defense throughout Day 2, adding defensive back Brian Branch and defensive tackle Brodric Martin in the second and third rounds, respectively. 

As the team shifts into the next phase of the offseason, there's still plenty of talent available on the free-agent market. If the third-year GM decides he still wants upgrades, there's a plethora of options. 

Organized Team Activities begin this week. With that said, here are five free-agent defenders the Lions should consider signing. 

DE Frank Clark

The Lions have a very promising core of EDGE rushers in Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston. Both are entering their second season, and with high expectations.

Behind them, Detroit has a mix of youth and veterans serving as depth. If the Lions were to add Clark, they would secure the services of a proven veteran who could mentor the young players on the defense. 

DL Chris Wormley

If the Lions are looking for more depth on the interior, a player like Wormley would be a solid fit. He's a a Michigan product, and has spent six seasons split between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

His production wasn't ideal in 2022, as he recorded just a half-sack and 29 tackles in 13 games played. The year prior, however, he finished with seven sacks and six tackles for loss. 

He would add value as a rotational lineman, with the versatility to play as either a nose tackle or wider as a down defensive end. 

Defensive lineman Chris Wormley / Michael Longo, USA Today Network

LB Zach Cunningham

The Lions have committed plenty to their linebacking corps over the past three seasons. It's a position that Holmes has drafted a player at in each of his drafts at the helm.

The Lions' linebacker rotation is young outside of veterans Alex Anzalone and Jalen Reeves-Maybin. Because of this, the team could benefit from signing a veteran with special teams experience, like Cunningham. 

The inside linebacker missed all but six games last season with injuries, but had three straight 100-plus tackle seasons from 2018-2020 for the Houston Texans. 

He could be a worthwhile veteran add, if he remains healthy. At the very least, he could bring special teams savvy and a good presence in the locker room for Detroit's young linebackers. 

CB Ronald Darby

Detroit has already added plenty to its secondary. Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley were free-agent additions, while draftee Brian Branch has the ability to play both corner and safety positions. 

Depth remains a concern, as Will Harris and Jerry Jacobs have both produced mixed results over the last two seasons. Darby is a veteran who could offer a steady hand when called upon. 

Last season, he played in just five games. However, he has 88 starts to his name, and would bring mentorship in the similar vein to many free agents still available. 

S John Johnson III

There's familiarity between Johnson and Holmes, as the GM was working with the Los Angeles Rams when they selected the safety in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. 

The veteran had a nice four-year tenure with the Rams before heading to Cleveland, where he's spent the last two seasons. In his career, he's picked off 12 passes. 

This ability to generate takeaways would allow him to fit comfortably within Detroit's defensive scheme. He's got positional versatility, too, as he's played both safety spots.