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Should The Lions Consider Bringing Back An Old Friend In Free Agency?

Even though preseason has wrapped up, should the Lions consider some current free agents out there on the market? Take a deeper look at some options for the team to consider.

The regular season is approaching and every team has cut their roster down to 53. With this there were some surprise cuts that most people weren’t expecting. The Lions may have cut their roster down to 53 and had the second best waiver priority, but there are still many holes on the team that could be filled with some of the remaining free agents. So let’s break down some free agents that could make an impact on this team now or in the future.

Free Agent Options For The Lions To Consider Before Week One

One: Ndamukong Suh, Defensive Tackle

Ndamukong Suh throughout his career has been a dominant force on the defensive line, no matter what team he played for. He finished last year as one of the key pieces of that Buccaneers defensive line, putting up six sacks and seven tackles for loss. The main reason Suh is being overlooked in free agency is the same reason for many veteran players sitting in free agency; he is fairly old for a defensive player at 35. However even though he’s on the older side his production has not dropped off too much, and he has hardly shown his age.

The Lions could use some defensive line help with Levi Onwuzirike likely not healthy to start the year, and Micheal Brockers taking a bit of a step back in production since joining Detroit. Suh would also be a great mentor for the young guys, to show them what it takes to be elite in this league. Suh also seems like a good fit under Dam Campbell because he is not afraid to do what’s necessary to win games. It would also be a great end to Suh’s career to finish off where he started and where he spent his prime years.


Two: Dont’a Hightower, Linebacker

Hightower has been a solid starting caliber linebacker throughout his entire 9 year career. The stat sheets may not show it entirely, but he has been all over the field his entire career being one of the more disruptive linebackers in the league. He is being overlooked for the same reason as Suh, he is 32 years old which is fairly old for a linebacker.

Hightower would be a great mentor for our raw, inexperienced linebacker core. Plus he is still a very good player and could make an impact on this team right now if the Lions want to compete this year. It makes more sense than any of that right now because from what we’ve seen in the pros, our linebacking core is extremely weak. Getting an experienced veteran who would probably start would be a great move for this team.

Three: Blake Martinez, Linebacker

The Giants shocked many NFL fans when they decided to release Blake Martinez earlier today. While he was injured most of last season, he has been one of the most efficient tacklers in the NFL since entering the league. The biggest upside to Martinez though is that, unlike the other guys on this list, he is only 28 years old. While that’s not young, he is not close to the end of his career, he is still in his prime.

Martinez is a typical linebacker for Dan Campbell’s and Aaron Glenn’s defensive system, he’s willing to do the dirty work and cover over the middle. Plus he is what the Lions’ defense is missing. The Lions’ defense’s biggest issue right now is tackling, so what better way to improve that than by adding one of the best tacklers in the game. Along with his fit, it would be great to have a nice veteran presence in this locker room since the Lions have the youngest team in the NFL.

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