Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Lions Links for Wednesday 3-18-26

Articles:

OC Petzing 'a big reason' why Dortch signed with Lions:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/oc-petzing-a-big-reason-why-dortch-signed-with-lions


Clark excited to play for DC Sheppard after signing with Lions:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/clark-excited-to-play-for-dc-sheppard-after-signing-with-lions





This Detroit Lions DE Is Impacted Most by D.J. Wonnum Signing:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/news/this-detroit-lions-de-impacted-most-d-j-wonnum-signing

How Signing D.J. Wonnum Impacts Detroit Lions 2026 Draft Plans:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/news/how-signing-d-j-wonnum-impacts-detroit-lions-2026-draft-plans


2026 NFL free agency: Roster moves, questions for 32 teams (Detroit Lions - Biggest additions: Isiah Pacheco (RB), Cade Mays (C), Teddy Bridgewater (QB).  Biggest losses: David Montgomery (RB), Alex Anzalone (LB), Kalif Raymond (WR).  Did the Lions hit their free agency goals? Yes and no. The Lions did address their team needs on the offensive line, at running back and with a backup quarterback. But were any of those moves truly game-changing to take them over the hump? On paper, it certainly doesn't appear that way, but GM Brad Holmes has always prioritized drafting and development over free agent spending.  One thing we heard: Pacheco is viewed as a replacement for veteran Montgomery, who was traded to Houston, and said he was excited to bring his own flavor into the mix in Detroit.  "They could call me Taz," Pacheco said in his introductory news conference Thursday. "I'm going to go crazy. I'm going to spin, jump, whatever I can do to get the first down to accommodate Jahmyr [Gibbs] -- and we're fast. We got speed, and they can't sleep on it.  Biggest remaining roster hole: Defensive end. Pass rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad had a breakout 2025 season for Detroit, recording career highs in sacks (11.0), tackles for loss (nine) and quarterback hits (20) in 17 games. But he signed a one-year deal in Tampa Bay as a free agent. Now, the Lions are in search of another starting-caliber edge rusher to play alongside Pro Bowl player Aidan Hutchinson. -- Eric Woodyard):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48227150/2026-nfl-free-agency-key-roster-additions-subtractions-goals-buzz-questions




20 contenders, 20 lingering weaknesses: Barnwell fixes roster holes as free agency slows down (Detroit Lions - What's missing: Edge rusher. This has been a busy offseason for general manager Brad Holmes, as the Lions have been forced to confront some of the issues with their roster after a disappointing 2025 season. The Lions traded David Montgomery and added Isiah Pacheco, while the offensive line is in a full rebuild after the departures of Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow. Cade Mays was signed to start at center, and while the Lions hope Giovanni Manu can take over at one of the tackle spots, it would be a shock if the Lions didn't address their line in the 2026 draft.  Edge rusher is also suddenly a concern. Aidan Hutchinson is locking down one spot, of course, but the Lions are perilously thin behind him. Al-Quadin Muhammad had a career year last season, racking up 11 sacks and 20 knockdowns, but it seems telling that the Lions let the 30-year-old leave for a one-year, $6 million deal with the Bucs. Holmes has repeatedly invested in former Saints first-round pick Marcus Davenport, but having missed 37 of 51 possible regular-season games over the past three years with various injuries, Davenport doesn't appear to be in Detroit's plans for 2026. The Lions also cut Josh Paschal, who started for most of the 2024 season before missing all of 2025 after undergoing back surgery.  With Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch all eligible for extensions this offseason, Holmes will be putting most of his cash budget toward raises for some of his best young players. Is there anything left to fill the cupboard beyond Hutchinson? The solution: Add in bulk. The Lions probably weren't in position to compete for the Jaelan Phillips and Odafe Oweh type players in the 2026 market for financial reasons. They didn't make runs at guys such as K'Lavon Chaisson or Arnold Ebiketie, who signed for more modest figures on one-year deals in the middle class of free agency, let alone reuniting with Muhammad. They've been curiously quiet at their biggest position of need, and Detroit doesn't have a third-round pick after sending their own third-rounder and a compensatory selection to the Lions as part of the Isaac TeSlaa draft trade last offseason.  At this point, knowing the Lions probably need to reserve at least one of their top two picks for a left tackle, Holmes must approach the edge rusher position with the idea that he needs to find multiple veterans who can contribute in situational roles. There's no full-time starter lurking on the market outside of Joey Bosa, who might be best in a rotational role given how he played against the run last season in Buffalo.  The good news is that there are still plenty of vets available. It's realistic to imagine the Lions building a rotation with someone such as Bosa or Jadeveon Clowney, who had 8.5 sacks in 13 games with the Cowboys in 2025, alongside D.J. Wonnum (who signed a one-year deal worth $6 million to join Detroit on Tuesday). That combination might not thrill Lions fans, but Detroit has to add at least two edge rushers in the months to come.):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48227677/2026-nfl-free-agency-barnwell-20-contenders-weaknesses-signings-trades-draft

NFL win total futures: Murray gets Vikings to double digits, Broncos regress (Detroit Lions UNDER 10.5 wins (-115) - Moody: The Lions enter 2026 with concerns following a disappointing 2025 season that ended without a playoff berth. Injuries once again exposed depth issues in Detroit's secondary, while interior offensive line woes forced Jared Goff into quicker throws and limited offensive flexibility. Detroit made few upgrades along the offensive line in free agency, and defensive departures only increase the risk of another disappointing season, even with a softer schedule in 2026. Clay's projection: 11.3 wins):  https://www.espn.com/espn/betting/story/_/id/48175201/2026-nfl-team-win-totals-predictions-sports-betting-odds-free-agency

The Lions finally add linebacker we all thought they’d draft in 2022, what went wrong in Dallas:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/the-lions-finally-add-linebacker-we-all-thought-theyd-draft-in-2022/

Wonnum’s addition all but assures the Lions avoid making the one move that Lions fans have been worried about:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/wonnums-addition-all-but-assures-the-lions-avoid-making-the-one-move-that-lions-fans-have-been-worried-about/

The two words everyone needs to pay attention to when it comes to the Lions’ new edge rusher D.J. Wonnum:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/the-two-words-everyone-needs-to-pay-attention-to-when-it-comes-to-the-lions-new-edge-rusher-d-j-wonnum/

The Lions have finally added an edge rusher in free agency, but they are not done yet:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/lions-sign-dj-wonnum-edge-rusher-free-agency/

2026 NFL Draft: Worst-case scenario for all NFC teams (Detroit Lions - Worst-case scenario: Failing to address offensive line early in the draft.  After a couple of years of having one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, the Lions took a step back in 2025. Regaining the unit’s elite status is crucial for the team’s continued success. Failing to address the offensive line early in the 2026 NFL Draft risks immediate regression in one of the team’s biggest strengths, which anchors both Detroit’s running game and Jared Goff’s consistent production.  With Taylor Decker having been released and other players playing more inconsistently, securing young, high-end talent is necessary to prevent a steep decline — like we saw from the Cleveland Browns.  A weakened offensive line would expose Goff to more pressure, potentially leading to more turnovers and a dip in offensive efficiency. Therefore, bypassing an early opportunity to replenish the trenches would be a mistake that undermines Detroit’s entire offensive philosophy.):  https://www.pff.com/news/2026-nfl-draft-worst-case-scenario-for-all-nfc-teams

2026 NFL Free Agency: Where All 32 NFL Teams Stand After the First Wave (Detroit Lions - Key additions: C Cade Mays (FA), OL Larry Borom (FA), RB Isiah Pacheco (FA), CB Roger McCreary (FA).  Key losses: RB David Montgomery (trade), LB Alex Anzalone (FA), CB Amik Robertson (FA), DL Roy Lopez (FA), EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad (FA), WR/KR Kalif Raymond (FA).  Retained: CB Rock Ya-Sin.  The Lions’ offensive line remains under construction. Isiah Pacheco is also a downgrade from David Montgomery at the RB2 spot behind Jahmyr Gibbs.  Verdict: WORSE):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/where-all-32-nfl-teams-stand-after-first-wave-free-agency

Grades:


2026 NFL Draft:






2026 NFL Draft Stock Report – 3/17/26:  https://walterfootball.com/draft2026stock_28.php

Video:  


Posted by LionsFan at 8:07 PM

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