Monday, March 9, 2026

Lions Links for Monday 3-9-26

Articles:

Source: Lions to sign ex-Panthers center Mays:  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48154578/source-lions-center-cade-mays-reach-agreement





Detroit Lions injury update: Examining Kerby Joseph's treatments:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2026/03/09/detroit-lions-injury-update-kerby-joseph-knee-treatments/88886552007/



Reason Jared Goff, Detroit Lions Have Not Restructured Contracts Yet:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/news/reason-jared-goff-has-yet-restructure-lions-nfl-contract


Detroit Lions 2026 Free Agency Rumors: Separating Reality From Fiction:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/news/detroit-lions-2026-free-agency-rumors-separating-reality-from-fiction

Roundtable: Best-Case Scenarios for Detroit Lions' 2026 Free Agency:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/news/roundtable-best-case-scenarios-for-detroit-lions-2026-free-agency








The Lions add another offensive lineman to the mix, but he’s not coming to Detroit for what you think:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/the-lions-add-another-offensive-lineman-to-the-mix-but-hes-not-coming-to-detroit-for-what-you-think/

New Lions center Cade Mays’ biggest weakness on paper seems to be more of a system issue than anything else:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/new-lions-center-cade-mays-biggest-weakness-on-paper-seems-to-be-more-of-a-system-issue-than-anything-else/

Brad Holmes and the Lions look like geniuses after signing Cade Mays, the steal of free agency so far:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/brad-holmes-and-the-lions-look-like-geniuses-after-signing-cade-mays-the-steal-of-free-agency-so-far/

The Alex Anzalone era is over in Detroit, now that hes’ gone, what is next at linebacker?:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/the-alex-anzalone-era-is-over-in-detroit-now-that-hes-gone-what-is-next-at-linebacker/

4 pretty good center options for the Detroit Lions that are still available (Cade Mays:  Mays is the young guy in the group at 26. He’s played really well for the Panthers in the last two years. He hasn’t allowed a sack since 2023. The pass blocking is strong, but the run blocking could be better. The problem is that while Mays was a starter in 2025, he wasn’t the Panthers’ original starter. He came in after Austin Corbett got hurt. Are the Lions getting a starting center, or are they getting a guy who overachieved? It’s a fair question.):  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/4-pretty-good-center-options-for-the-detroit-lions-that-are-still-available/


2026 NFL Draft: NFL awards 33 compensatory picks to 15 teams (ROUND 5 181. Detroit Lions):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2026-nfl-draft-nfl-awards-33-compensatory-picks-to-15-teams


Grades:


NFL Free Agent Signing Grades – Latest Signing Grades for 2026 NFL Free Agency (Lions sign C Cade Mays (3 years, $25 million): A Grade.  The Lions already had their work cut out for them this offseason concerning fixing their offensive line. Jared Goff took nearly 40 sacks in 2025, so multiple offensive linemen were needed. Then, Taylor Decker departed, giving Detroit yet another hole up front.  This signing is a great start to repair the front. Frank Ragnow was sorely missed last year, but Cade Mays could be a decent replacement. He pass protected very well for the Panthers this past season. He was added to a deal worth less than $10 million per year, so this is a win for Detroit.):  https://walterfootball.com/freeagentsigninggrades.php

NFL Free-Agency Tracker 2026: Grading Every Major Move (Lions agree with Cade Mays - One year after losing Frank Ragnow to retirement, the Lions have found their long-term replacement in Cade Mays, who agreed to a three-year, $25 million deal, giving the Lions their third starting center in as many seasons. Mays, 26, started 12 games last season for Carolina and 27 across his rookie deal with the Panthers. At 325 pounds, he’s a mover in the run game, which should fit nicely with the Lions’ scheme, giving them a big, athletic man in the pivot to help clear the road for Jahmyr Gibbs. With Detroit having multiple needs on the offensive line, center was the biggest. —Matt Verderame. Grade: A-):  https://www.si.com/nfl/nfl-free-agency-tracker-2026-grading-every-major-move

NFL free agency grades 2026: Live analysis of every free agent signing and trade (Lions sign C Cade Mays for 3 years, $25M | Grade: B.  The Lions recover well to work on rebuilding their offensive line in the wake of needing to replace Frank Ragnow, Graham Glasgow and Taylor Decker.):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-free-agency-2026-live-grades/85891c74efe1cb497b985803

2026 NFL Free Agency LIVE Deal Grader: Grading and tracking every signing and trade (C Cade Mays signs with Detroit Lions - 2025 PFF Grade: 61.0, 2025 PFF WAR: 0.02, Contract: 3 years, $25 million, PFF Projected Contract: 1 year, $4.5 million, PFF Deal Grade: Below Average.  Mays is solid in pass protection, having earned a 67.6 PFF pass-blocking grade in 2025, but has endured struggles as a run blocker. He ranked in the 20th percentile for negatively graded run-blocking plays last season. Given who the Lions want to be on offense, that is a bit of a concern. This deal could work out for the Lions, but it comes with a reasonable amount of risk.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2026-nfl-free-agency-live-deal-grader


Free Agent Rankings:

Ranking the 50 Best NFL Free Agents on the Market (32. Cade Mays, C: Mays played a big role in Carolina’s surprise success last season, and there will be a market for his services.  UPDATE: Mays reportedly reached an agreement to sign with the Detroit Lions.):  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/top-50-nfl-free-agents-2026

2026 NFL free agency: Ranking the top 100 players available (39. Cade Mays, C - Signed with: Detroit Lions | Age entering 2026 season: 27.  News: Lions, Mays reach agreement on deal.  What he brings: Mays has some athletic limitations, but his 6-foot-6 length and power put him in a position to win in pass protection. And he can displace defenders in the run game. Mays had a 94.3% pass block win rate in 2025, which ranked 20th out of 31 qualifying centers.):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48043945/2026-nfl-free-agency-top-100-players-ranking-available-hendrickson-willis

Prisco's Top 100 NFL free agents for 2026: Rankings for a market lacking elite talent (39. Cade Mays
Carolina Panthers OG - He started 12 games last season and did well enough that projected center Austin Corbett played right guard when he returned from injury. He is 26, so there is upside.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/pete-priscos-top-100-nfl-free-agents-for-2026/

2026 NFL Free Agency: The Top 100 Players Available and Potential Fits (46. Cade Mays, C, Panthers:  Mays, 26, settled in with 12 starts in 2025, after totaling 15 in his first three years in Carolina. The Panthers are already heavily invested at guard, so if his market gets as high as some are projecting — $10-12 million a year — then Carolina might reset with a rookie at center and focus their limited cap space elsewhere. This year's center class in free agency has a lot of good-not-great options, so finding the right match in that middle-tier financial range will be important. *Mays has agreed to terms on a deal with the Lions):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2026-nfl-free-agency-top-100-players-available-potential-fits

NFL free agency starts (kinda) Monday − best available players as top 100 agree to deals (50. C Cade Mays:  After taking over the pivot in Carolina last year, the 26-year-old could find himself enriched as the Linderbaum consolation prize somewhere.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/nate-davis/2026/03/09/ranking-top-100-free-agents-nfl-free-agency/89058575007/

NFL Top 100 free agents 2026: George Pickens tops the list (52. Panthers center Cade Mays. (Agreed to three-year deal with the Lions on March 9.)):  https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/nfl-top-100-free-agents-2026-george-pickens-tops-the-list

NFL top 101 free agents for 2026, starring pass rushers and shaky QBs (85. C Cade Mays - 2025 Team: Panthers, Age: 27, Previous avg. salary: $3,406,000.  Who is he? Big, long center who brings more to the table in pass protection than run-blocking.):  https://ftw.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2026/03/09/nfl-top-101-free-agents-2026-kyler-murray-malik-willis-trey-hendrickson/89001604007/

Ranking the NFL's top 100 free agents available in 2026 (92. Cade Mays, C, Panthers (age: 26):  Mays was a solid run blocker finding his right starting position.  Update: Mays signed with the Lions for 3 years, $25M.  Centers - 3. Cade Mays, Panthers (signed with Lions for 3 years, $25M)):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-free-agency-2026-ranking-top-100-best-available-position/eab979de5a34ee4086ed6fde

2026 NFL Free Agent Rankings: Top 250 players (201. C Cade Mays, Carolina Panthers - Snaps: 1,722 | PFF grade: 66.7.  Mays had his number called in 2025, playing a career-high 793 snaps at center for the Panthers. He was solid as a pass-blocker with a 67.6 PFF pass-blocking grade, and he hasn't allowed a sack in either of the last two seasons. However, he placed in the 20th percentile of negatively-graded run-blocking plays last season. The 26-year-old profiles as a versatile lineman who could be unlocked in future years.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-free-agent-rankings-2026

Top 101 NFL free agents of 2026 ranked by position: Which spots have most/least depth? (INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE - 6. Cade Mays Detroit Lions:  There’s a center shortage in the NFL, and Mays drew praise as a fill-in starter in 2025. There will be a market for him.  EDITOR'S UPDATE: Mays is signing with the Detroit Lions, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported on March 9.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/top-101-nfl-free-agents-of-2026-ranked-by-position-which-spots-have-most-least-depth

2026 NFL Draft:


Top Overall 2026 NFL Draft Target for All 32 Teams (Detroit Lions: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah:  Offensive tackle Taylor Decker announced he has requested to be released. It represents a blow to the Detroit Lions, who were not prepared for such a sudden departure. Spencer Fano is incredibly athletic in pass protection and the Lions should target him as a plug-and-play starter. He’s also flexible enough to play across the interior, but they'd probably need him at tackle given the Decker news.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/onsi/news/top-overall-2026-nfl-draft-target-for-all-32-teams

2026 NFL Draft big board: Fernando Mendoza, a top-3 RB and a run on Ohio State players:  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/2026-nfl-draft-big-board-fernando-mendoza-a-top-3-rb-and-a-run-on-ohio-state-players-181133065.html


Posted by LionsFan at 7:17 PM

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