Lions Roundtable: How Free Agency Impacts Draft Plans

Latest All Lions roundtable explores how the Lions draft plans were impacted by free agency.

1.) Are you surprised DJ Chark only signed for $5 million with the Panthers?

Christian Booher: I am. It's puzzling, because I feel that his performance could've commanded more on the free-agency market. However, the market was down for wideouts, so it's not the most surprising news. 

Chark was productive when healthy for Detroit, but those health issues likely led to his price being lowered. The Lions have to feel good about what they already have in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, so they were likely okay with letting him go and spending that cap space on other needs. 

Vito Chirco: I am a bit surprised, because Chark did provide some solid production for the Lions down the stretch of the season after he developed a rapport with starting signal-caller Jared Goff.

However, there is also the fact that Chark has played in a total of just 15 games the past two seasons. That definitely played a factor in bringing down his market value.

Still, at the end of the day, signing the veteran wideout to a one-year, $5 million deal is a low-risk, high-reward move for the Panthers. 

2.) Who should replace Chark on the Lions' roster?

Booher: I think the obvious answer is Jameson Williams. He's got the potential to be a standout in Detroit's offense, having the speed of Tyreek Hill and the size of a prototypical "X" receiver.

However, Detroit could benefit from adding another wideout. Whether it's through free agency or the draft, the Lions could help their offense by bringing in another player at the position. In free agency, former Lions wideout Marvin Jones Jr. makes sense as a possible short-term replacement.

Chirco: Let's just say this ... it's time for Jameson Williams to step up now. Williams, the No. 12 overall selection in last year's draft, showcased glimpses of big-play potential a season ago, but in an extremely limited capacity. Even before the departure of Chark, more was going to be expected of the second-year receiver. 

But now, there is no doubt that Williams will need to produce on a much more consistent basis, in order to replace the production of Chark in 2023. I think the former Alabama wideout will be up to the task.

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3.) What is your reaction to the Lions bringing back QB Nate Sudfeld?

Booher: It's not super surprising given his veteran presence. I think Sudfeld is an adequate backup behind Jared Goff. 

I also don't think the Lions are done. I expect them to draft a signal-caller in April, who will then compete with Sudfeld for the backup spot in training camp. Sudfeld's presence doesn't prevent them from taking a quarterback in the draft. 

Chirco: It was a bit puzzling and definitely disappointing to me. Even before the end of the 2022 season, there was plenty of talk about the Lions making a concerted effort to upgrade the backup QB spot this offseason. By bringing back Sudfeld for another year, Detroit has definitely failed to do that. 

Sudfeld provides little-to-no competition to Lions incumbent starter Jared Goff, and there's no proof that Sudfeld could step in for Goff, in the case of emergency, and provide stability for Detroit under center.

The only saving grace regarding this move is that Holmes & Co. could still choose to add a signal-caller via this April's NFL Draft. I fully expect the Lions to still do that.

4.) How will decisions the Lions made in free agency impact their draft needs?

Booher: I think the free-agency decisions push cornerback down the list of needs. Other than that, though, I don't think they impact the needs that much. The Lions struggled mightily on defense, and for that reason, I believe each of the positions on that unit remain in need of improvement. 

The same can be said about the offense. Detroit added a running back and a guard through free agency, but both positions may need reinforcements. After all, the guards could still need stability, and running back D'Andre Swift is entering the final year of his contract. 

Chirco: I don't know how much those moves really will impact their draft decisions. 

I say that because despite all the additions that Detroit has made to its defensive backs room, there is still a variety of mock drafts projecting Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez to the Lions at No. 6 overall (and for good reason). As wild as that sounds, cornerback was such a weakness for Detroit in 2022 that it wouldn't hurt Holmes & Co. to add another high-impact corner (i.e. Gonzalez) to the room. 

It could go a long way toward flipping the script for the organization defensively and ensuring that the cornerback position is actually a strength for the team heading into the 2023 campaign. 

5.) If the Lions could draft K Jake Moody, QB Hendon Hooker or WR Jayden Reed, who would you want? 

Booher: I'm going to go with Reed. Of the three, he has the best chance to make an immediate impact. I like his game a lot, as he makes plenty of big plays despite being undersized.

Moody has a big leg, but the Lions have an incumbent in Michael Badgley. I would prefer the Lions take a later-round signal-caller in the draft rather than Hooker, as he is coming off an injury and played in a scheme that may not translate to the NFL. 

Chirco: I'm going to go with Hendon Hooker. Despite the presence of Nate Sudfeld, Detroit could still use a backup quarterback, and everybody in college football saw how good Hooker was before he suffered a season-ending ACL tear late in the 2022 season. He showcased signs of being a dynamite, dual-threat passer, and he ended up finishing his Tennessee career with 58 touchdown passes and only five interceptions.

Sure, Reed, with his big-play ability, would be a nice addition to Detroit's receivers room, especially after the departure of Chark. However, I'm still going with Hooker here, a quarterback that potentially could be groomed to be Goff's successor.