Is there a perfect free-agent fit?

Vito Chirco and Christian Booher, two staff writers for Sports Illustrated/All Lions, discuss topics of interest in another edition of Lions’ Roundtable.

Who is the perfect fit for the Lions?

Booher: I think Tremaine Edmunds is a perfect fit for Detroit. He’s an instinctive linebacker who can make plays in both the pass and run game. He’s still young, heading into his age-26 season. So, he fits the Lions’ desire to build with youth.

Having played in big games for the Bills, he would bring maturity and plenty of biggame experience. If Detroit could land Edmunds, he would be a massive addition.

Chirco: If I’m the Lions, I’m hunting down 25-year-old Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.

The play-making safety has recorded at least one interception in each of his four seasons in the league, and is coming off a career-best campaign with the reigning NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles. During the 2022 season, he produced a career-best six picks.

He’ll cost a pretty penny for Detroit —at about $13.3 million per season, according to Spotrac. However, I think he’d be worth the investment for Brad Holmes and the Lions’ front office, and instantly upgrade the team’s defensive backs group.

Will you be disappointed if the Lions don’t land a bigname free agent?

Booher: It would certainly be disappointing. The Lions need to bolster their talent, especially on defense. Brad Holmes needs to recognize the window of opportunity opening in Detroit, so adding talent and gearing up for a run is important.

At the same time, the Lions emphasize culture over everything else. If they fail to land a big-name free agent, it should send a message that the Lions’ front office doesn’t view these players as fits for their culture.

Chirco: I won’t be, and here’s why: The Lions clearly have set

freeagent out to build through the draft. And, based on the results of Brad Holmes’ first two drafts as general manager, you can make the argument that he’s mastered the art of doing just that.

Now, no GM is perfect in drafting players, and you still have to supplement your roster through free agency and some shrewd trades (maybe even a few big ones from time to time, too).

However, how I see it, Holmes & Co. don’t need to make a big splash in order to take the next step as an organization. They just need to continue orchestrating their plan of building through the draft, with an eye on upgrading the defensive side of the ball.

Which free agent should the Lions avoid?

Booher: No big-name player should be off limits. However, the Lions have made a point to rebuild with youth. Because of this, veteran players should only be brought in on shortterm contracts.

I think Bobby Wagner is a player the Lions should stay away from. He will likely command a hefty contract, and I don’t believe that’s justifiable at his age.

Chirco: I’m going to give you two names for the price of one: EDGE defenders Carlos Dunlap and Justin Houston.

This isn’t because of their recent production — Houston, for one, is coming off a nineand-a-half sack season. Instead, it’s because they’re both 34 years old, and subsequently don’t fit what Holmes is trying to build in the Motor City.

So far, Holmes has been ultra resistant to adding players to Detroit’s roster who are north of 30. So, although it might be tempting to add a pass rusher of Houston’s or Dunlap’s caliber, Holmes needs to avoid the temptation, and I think he will.

This article was produced by the staff at Sports Illustrated/ All Lions. For more, visit si.com/nfl/lions.