The Detroit Lions still have roughly a dozen players from last season who remain free agents. Some of the more notable names include Taylor Decker, DJ Reader, Avonte Maddox, Marcus Davenport and Arthur Maulet. While there are several former Lions I would not be interested in bringing back, there are a few players I would consider re-signing if the price is right on a one-year deal.

Players I Want No Part Of

Marcus Davenport is the first name that comes to mind, and I think most Lions fans would agree on this one. In his two seasons with Detroit, Davenport appeared in just 10 games. He recorded 1.5 sacks and 16 total tackles during that span. Injuries were a constant issue, and the edge rusher never made the impact the team had hoped for when he was signed. The move ultimately turned into a failed signing, and it seems likely Detroit will move on.

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Next is offensive lineman Kayode Awosika. Awosika was not a terrible offensive lineman, but he also did not bring anything particularly special to the roster. Detroit has already added offensive line depth, including acquiring interior linemen in recent moves and signing tackle Larry Borom. Awosika spent the last four seasons with Detroit and logged 11 starts and 840 total snaps. He provided depth and versatility, but it feels like his time with the Lions has come to an end as the team continues to reshape the offensive line depth chart.

Tight ends Shane Zylstra and Anthony Firkser are two more players who likely will not return. There is nothing particularly negative to say about either player, but the Lions already addressed the tight end position by signing Tyler Conklin, who will likely serve as the third tight end on the roster. With Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright already in place, there simply may not be room for additional tight ends.

Players I Wouldn’t Mind Bringing Back

Saftey Avonte Maddox is the first player I would consider bringing back. Maddox stepped up when called upon last season and played well in limited action. He played 342 total snaps and recorded three pass breakups, allowed just 10 receptions, had one interception, one forced fumble and 32 total tackles. According to PFF grades from the 2025 season, Maddox posted a 79.1 overall grade, which ranked 10th among qualifying players at his position. He also had a 75 coverage grade and a 75.7 run defense grade. Despite Detroit adding more players to the secondary, Maddox proved he can be a reliable depth player who can step in and contribute when needed.

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DJ Reader is another interesting case. He did not have his best season last year, but the Lions defensive line is still somewhat thin, and bringing him back on a veteran minimum deal would not be a bad move. Reader is 31 years old and played 583 snaps last season while recording 18 solo tackles. He posted a 68.9 overall grade, which ranked 30th among defensive tackles, and a 72.6 pass rush grade, which ranked 21st. While those numbers are not elite, they are still solid for a rotational defensive tackle who can provide depth and experience on the defensive line.

Finally, Taylor Decker is the biggest name on this list. Decker was released after he and the Lions could not agree on a pay cut. His age started to show a bit last season, as the 31-year-old looked slightly slower than he has in previous years. He finished with a 67.9 overall offensive grade, which is not terrible but also not elite for a starting left tackle. Still, offensive line depth is extremely important, and if Decker were willing to return on a cheaper one-year deal, it might make sense for both sides.

Overall

At the end of the day, I am pretty content with the Lions roster as it currently stands. There is no single free agent from last season that Detroit absolutely needs to bring back. However, for the right price, there are a few players — particularly Avonte Maddox, DJ Reader and possibly Taylor Decker — that could make sense to re-sign on short-term deals to provide depth and experience. The Lions have done a solid job building their roster, and any additional signings at this point would simply be about adding depth and competition heading into training camp.