Ranking Lions' 20 Unrestricted Free Agents

Evaluating the best of Detroit's UFA's.

With success comes decisions, and these decisions figure to be quite difficult for Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell. 

The third-year coach has built the Lions from struggling afterthought to legitimate contender. With free agency looming, he'll have to make choices regarding several players who have played valuable roles in the team's rebuild. 

In past years, Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes have shown plenty of loyalty to their players who fit the team's ideal culture. As a result, a number of the team's 20 unrestricted free agents to be could return to the organization in 2024. 

Here is a ranking of the team's upcoming unrestricted free agents, based on their impact and potential cost to retain them next season. 

20. QB Teddy Bridgewater

The veteran quarterback was a steady presence in the locker room. Bridgewater was a perfect fit for the team's culture and gave the team a reliable option to back up Jared Goff while also mentoring many of the young players. 

However, he revealed his intentions to retire following the season late in the year. Unless there's a change of heart for the veteran, he has played his final NFL snaps. 

19. QB Nate Sudfeld

Sudfeld entered the preseason as the backup before Bridgewater was signed and had a decent start to training camp. However, he struggled in later practices and  game action before suffering a season-ending knee injury in the preseason finale. 

He could be retained to compete for the backup job with Hendon Hooker, but Hooker returning to full health will make it tough for Sudfeld to make the final roster.

18. OG Halapoulivaati Vaitai

Vaitai has been hampered by injuries the last two seasons. He has been solid when active for the Lions, but played just six games this season and missed the entire 2022 campaign. As a result, the veteran is likely expendable. 

17. LS Jake McQuaide

McQuaide did a good job when Scott Daly suffered a season-ending injury. However, the Lions seemed pleased with the progress that Daly had made prior to his setback. Both could once again compete for the job next season, but Daly likely has the edge. 

16. TE Anthony Firkser

Firkser wasn't added to the active roster until the Lions were hit with a wave of injuries to their tight end position. He had just one catch, which came in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship game. 

With the youth at this position, such as Sam LaPorta and James Mitchell. retaining Firkser won't be a top priority.

15. DT Tyson Alualu

Alualu gave the Lions a proven veteran on the defensive interior after Alim McNeill went down with an injury. He contributed in five total games, including the postseason, and served as an elder presence for the younger members of the D-line. 

The Lions currently have little depth on the defensive interior, and what they have in rookie Brodric Martin remains to be seen. As a result, Alualu is a candidate to return for training camp to compete for a roster spot in what would be his 15th NFL season.

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14. DE Charles Harris

Harris was a key part of the Lions defense in his first year with the franchise, but his production has tapered off in the last two campaigns. He dealt with injuries last season and was a healthy scratch for the last four games of this season. 

He had just 1.5 sacks in 13 games this year, with a pass-rush win rate of just 8.7 percent.

13. OT Dan Skipper

The Lions got plenty out of Skipper this year, who became an icon of sorts for his role in the controversial ending to the team's loss at Dallas. He proved to be a reliable blocker and was utilized as the team's extra blocker in jumbo sets. 

12. OT Matt Nelson

Nelson has served as the team's swing tackle for the four seasons he's been a Lion. He was lost for the season in Week 3 after suffering an injury. 

Nelson played 85 snaps in his three appearances and earned an overall Pro Football Focus offensive grade of 58.0. 

11. DB Will Harris

Harris has had an up and down tenure since being drafted in 2020. He has played both safety and corner, struggling as a safety but providing value as a cornerback last season. 

This year, however, he was beaten out by Jerry Jacobs and wound up in a mostly special teams role. He struggled when given opportunities on defense, allowing 14 completions on 18 passes thrown his way. 

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10. K Michael Badgley

The Lions clearly liked what they had in Badgley last season, electing to bring him back on the practice squad after final cuts and allowing him to continue to compete for the job. 

Badgley is 5-for-13 career on kicks of 50-plus yards, but he nailed a 54-yarder against Los Angeles that proved to be the difference in the game. 

9. CB Kindle Vildor

Vildor had his moments for the Lions, showcasing a physical style of play that fits Detroit's vision for its secondary. He will be remembered for being on the wrong end of a huge play in the NFC Championship, but there was plenty to like overall from Vildor's eight games with the Lions, including postseason. 

With Jerry Jacobs set to be a restricted free agent, Vildor is certainly worth keeping around as a depth piece. 

8. DE Romeo Okwara

In 2020, Okwara broke out with 10 sacks and appeared to be on the verge of a breakout. However, a torn Achilles in 2021 hindered that progress, and he has just four sacks in 21 games since. 

The Lions will have decisions to make on the edge, both with he and Harris. He was able to log 17 pressures despite working in a smaller sample size than some of his teammates, so he can still be productive in spurts. 

7. WR Donovan Peoples-Jones

Peoples-Jones wound up playing a valuable role in the postseason after punt returner Kalif Raymond suffered a knee injury in the regular season finale. 

The Michigan product only caught five passes for the Lions after being acquired at the trade deadline. He does have versatility, though, and is just one season removed from an 800-plus yard showing. 

6. CB Emmanuel Moseley

The Lions never truly found out what they had in Moseley, as he suffered a torn ACL in his first game back. With back-to-back seasons ending this way, his injury history is a concern. 

By all accounts, though, he was able to continue serving as a leader in the locker room while rehabbing his injury. The Lions had high hopes for him, so there's always a chance he is retained and given another shot to prove his abilities. 

5. OG Jonah Jackson

The Lions will have a tough decision on Jackson. He had played at a Pro Bowl level for most of the first three seasons of his deal, but he took a step back this year. Additionally, he missed several games with injury. 

Still, he has been a key part of the offensive line that Detroit has built almost exclusively from scratch. He was a steal as the team's third-round pick in 2020. 

Where this becomes difficult is the fact that the Lions have already given two extensions to offensive linemen and a third, Penei Sewell, is coming in the near future. As a result, Jackson may elect to ink a deal worth more elsewhere. 

4. LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin

Reeves-Maybin ranks this high because he is among the best in the NFL in his specified role. He was named an NFLPA All-Pro as a special teamer and is widely considered among the top performers in this area throughout the league. 

He was a stand out on coverage units throughout the year for Detroit, and also was responsible for converting a pair of fake punts. 

Reeves-Maybin also made some valuable contributions on defense. Reeves-Maybin had a sack and two passes defensed serving as a situation linebacker.

3. WR Josh Reynolds

Reynolds has endeared himself to the coaching staff with his ability to make plays and relentless work ethic. He's asked to fill a variety of roles within Detroit's offense and seems to fulfill all of the expectations set for him. 

The vet narrowly missed his career-high in receiving yards, finishing 10 yards shy. Dan Campbell has an affinity for Reynolds, and there's clearly a niche he's carved out within Ben Johnson's offense. 

2. S Ceedy Duce

Ceedy Duce brought a clear level of swagger to the Lions' locker room early in his time with the team. He ignited the group in training camp and seemed to bring the best out of the likes of Kerby Joseph and others at his position. 

Yet, he was lost for most of the season with a torn pec suffered in Week 2. That injury is normally season-ending, but the defender clearly worked his hardest to put himself in a position to return and contribute in the postseason. 

He led the league in interceptions last season and managed to get one in just three regular season games. His swagger and proven abilities are still assets, despite not being on full display this season. 

1. OG Graham Glasgow

Glasgow was one of the team's best free agent signings. Originally viewed as a depth option, he wound up being one of the best on a loaded offensive line. He posted high marks on Pro Football Focus' grading system and started games at three positions. 

Given his relationship with other members of Detroit's line, returning will be a priority for him. After his performance this season, he's more than worthy of another deal to remain a Lion in 2024.