Thursday, March 20, 2025

Lions Links for Wednesday 3-19-25

Articles:

Lions re-sign DE Al-Quadin Muhammad to a one-year deal:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2025/03/19/lions-free-agency-al-quadin-muhammad-signing/82552426007/


Lions' Jared Goff to star in next season of "Quarterback" on Netflix:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2025/03/19/jared-goff-lions-quarterback-netflix-show/82542777007/


What Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins extensions mean for Detroit Lions wideout Jameson Williams:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/higgins-chase-extensions-presents-lions-major-dilemma



One positive takeaway for all 32 NFL teams following NFL free agency (Detroit Lions: Stability at cornerback - Detroit brought in veteran cornerback D.J. Reed to replace Carlton Davis III, who departed for New England at a significantly higher price. Reed has been as consistent as any player in the NFL over the past several years. He has played at least 880 snaps in four consecutive seasons, which is crucial to a Lions defense that was decimated by injuries in 2024. He has also earned at least a 70.0 PFF overall grade in six straight seasons. At a position of high volatility, the Lions know what they’re getting in Reed.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-positive-takeaways-all-32-nfl-teams-free-agency

Predicting the fifth-year option decisions for every 2022 NFL first-round draft pick (Pick No. 2 — EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions:  Picked up, likely extension.  Countless NFL pundits and fans felt as though the Lions had selected the draft’s top player at second overall, and three years later, there’s a real case to be made that Hutchinson has been that. Since 2022, his 92.1 PFF pass-rushing grade ranks sixth and his 19.9% pass-rush win rate slots fourth among qualified pass rushers. Indeed, Hutchinson was on track to become the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year if not for a broken leg suffered in Week 6. With players like Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby helping reset edge defender contracts, the Lions would be smart to lock up the Michigan product soon.  Pick No. 12 — WR Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions: Picked up.  After an underwhelming first two seasons, Williams finally produced like a 12th overall pick last year. His 75.1 PFF receiving grade and 1.97 yards per route run were easily career bests, and his 8.3 yards after the catch per reception ranked second among qualifiers. The Alabama product serves an integral role as the deep threat in Detroit’s offense next to slot man Amon-Ra St. Brown. While there have been issues with off-field incidents, the Lions will likely want to keep building around him.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-predicting-fifth-year-option-decisions-2022-first-round-draft-picks

Favorite, least favorite free-agency moves for all 32 NFL teams (Detroit Lions - Favorite: CB D.J. Reed.  2024 PFF Grade: 70.7.  2024 PFF WAR: 0.36.  Contract: 3 years, $48 million ($32 million guaranteed).  PFF Projected Contract: 3 years, $42 million ($27.5 million guaranteed).  PFF Deal Grade: Good.  The Lions lost Carlton Davis to the Patriots and still managed to upgrade at the position while paying significantly less than what Davis received from New England. Reed was among the 20 best cornerbacks in the NFL in PFF’s lockdown rate metric (51.3%) and generated a 70.0-plus PFF coverage grade in each of his past six seasons.  Least Favorite: LB Derrick Barnes - 2024 PFF Grade: 71.8.  2024 PFF WAR: 0.02.  Contract: 3 years, $24 million ($16 million guaranteed).  PFF Projected Contract: 1 year, $2.75 million ($1.5 million guaranteed).  PFF Deal Grade: Below Average.  The Lions invested significant money to retain Barnes — well over projections — indicating they have a plan for the 25-year-old defender who is coming off a season-ending knee injury. Given the uncertainty surrounding Barnes’ place in this defense, Detroit could have likely secured him on a more cost-effective short-term deal.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-favorite-least-favorite-free-agency-moves-2025

Ranking NFC teams after first wave of 2025 free agency (2. Detroit Lions -Players added: CB D.J. Reed, DT Roy Lopez, QB Kyle Allen.  Players lost: CB Carlton Davis, G Kevin Zeitler, CB Kindle Vildor.  The biggest gain for the Lions are all the players they'll get back on defense who were on injured reserve during their playoff loss. Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Kyle Peko and Derrick Barnes will all be back as the defense ended up starting 30 players last season (the most for any team since the merger). The Lions may have more talent than the Eagles when going through the overall roster (the core of their offense is still in place), but how will Detroit react toward losing both coordinators (Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn)? Ask the 1995 49ers and 2023 Eagles how that fared for them.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/ranking-nfc-teams-after-first-wave-of-nfl-free-agency-eagles-on-top-despite-losses-lions-commanders-behind/

Grades:

NFL free agency grades for all 32 teams, including chaotic NFC West (Detroit Lions: B.  They haven’t been especially active, their most prominent move the signing of CB D.J. Reed (3 years, $48 million), who’s arguably an upgrade over departed Carlton Davis III. Otherwise, GM Brad Holmes mostly focused on re-signing his own (lower-level) guys – LB Derrick Barnes (3 years, $24 million), DT Levi Onwuzurike, WR Tim Patrick, swing OT Dan Skipper and DE Marcus Davenport, among others – rather than hunting white whales like Garrett. Holmes also stabilized the depth behind QB Jared Goff by adding Kyle Allen, a seasoned backup. Last season’s No. 1 NFC playoff seed simply needs to stay healthy in 2025 while adapting to its new coordinators, but the roster is in perfectly shine shape to make another run at the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/nate-davis/2025/03/19/nfl-free-agency-grades-cowboys-49ers-bengals/82534624007/

2025 NFL Draft:



2025 NFL Draft: Best late-round option for every defensive role:  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-best-late-round-option-for-every-defensive-role

2025 NFL Draft: 5 prospects who underperformed in 2024:  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2025-nfl-draft-5-prospects-who-underperformed-in-2024

Bucky Brooks' top five 2025 NFL Draft prospects by position 2.0: Matthew Golden flies up WR rankings:  https://www.nfl.com/news/bucky-brooks-top-five-2025-nfl-draft-prospects-by-position-2-0-matthew-golden-flies-up-wr-rankings

Insider notes on South Carolina Pro Day: Patriots eye DT DeAndre Jules, Cowboys high on LB Demetrius Knight Jr., and more:  https://www.sportskeeda.com/college-football/news-insider-notes-south-carolina-pro-day-patriots-eye-dt-deandre-jules-cowboys-high-lb-demetrius-knight-jr-191f4a30

Insider notes on Oregon, Virginia Pro Day: 49ers eye up elusive RB, Colts possible destination for Ducks' OL:  https://www.sportskeeda.com/college-football/news-insider-notes-oregon-virginia-pro-day-49ers-eye-elusive-rb-colts-possible-destination-ducks-ol

Report: Lions Have 'very strong interest' in UCLA Edge Prospect:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/detroit-lions-interested-femi-oladejo-nfl-draft


Podcast:

Podcast: Lions Role Players Who Could Step Up in 2025:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/podcasts/lions-role-players-who-could-step-up-2025

Video:

Lions defensive front: What to expect from Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/1610858

Why McAfee thinks Lions' seeding change proposal will be 'tough to pass':  https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/44317594
Posted by LionsFan at 9:24 AM

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