Lions NFL Free Agency Predictions: 2 Moves to Help Detroit Get Back to Playoffs

The Detroit Lions need to have a big offseason in order to bounce back from their disappointing 2025 season, in which they missed the playoffs despite having championship expectations. Well, we have some moves in mind for them to help get back into contention in 2026. FOX Sports NFL writer Greg Auman had the Lions landing two players in his top 100 NFL free agents list earlier this week. Both players were outside additions as well, with Auman predicting that the Lions will lose the three free agents he has on his list. Detroit is roughly $8 million north of the salary cap entering the offseason. So, it has to do some cap-clearing in order to sign free agents this offseason. But let’s take a closer look at Auman’s two free-agent moves for the Lions. Sign Buccaneers CB Jamel Dean (49th-best free agent, fifth-best free agent cornerback) Auman’s thoughts: “Dean, 29, had one of the league’s more remarkable seasons, agreeing to an $8 million pay cut to stay in Tampa, then having a huge season with three interceptions and two forced fumbles. Pro Football Focus loves him, rating him as the NFL’s No. 5 cornerback for 2025 and ranking him as the No. 5 overall free agent at any position. He could draw his old Bucs salary of $12 million a year as a free agent, but he’s only played for Todd Bowles in Tampa and likes it there, so there’s no telling what he’ll do.” Sign Bills G David Edwards (28th-best free agent, best free agent guard) Auman’s thoughts: “Edwards, 28, has been a bargain for the Bills the last two years, starting at guard while making $6 million for two years. He’ll cost significantly more as a free agent, with some projections close to $20 million a year. Does Buffalo promoting Joe Brady to head coach make them more likely to want to keep their offensive line intact? It’ll be expensive to keep them all, so it’s possible they’ll re-sign one of their two free-agent starters and use the draft to replace the other.”