The following is the opinion of Senior Writer Tim Twentyman and not of the Detroit Lions football personnel.
The official start of the new league year and free agency is one week away, and that's when the retooling of Detroit's 2026 roster can officially begin for Lions general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell.
The Lions will have to free up some salary cap space before the start of the new league year, but they have roster mechanisms available to accomplish that, like contract restructures and releases.
Holmes said after the NFL Scouting Combine last week they'll have to weigh potential contract extensions for players like linebacker Jack Campbell, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, tight end Sam LaPorta and safety Brian Branch with how aggressive they can be in free agency.
"Those decisions will affect the next decision in terms of how much available finances you'll have to spend," Holmes said. "The decisions that we have to make, or that we have been faced with, is that you don't have two separate budgets, right? It's only one budget, it's only one pot, right?
"And so, when you take the philosophy of draft, develop and retain ... well, the word retain means pay. You got to pay money, so if there's one budget, you don't have your own retain player budget and then a separate external free agent budget.
"It's how much you want to use to retain your own players, it's how much you want to use for external free agents. But the more you retain, the smaller that budget becomes. But we'll have flexibility to do some things, so I don't think every single year is the same."
The NFL increased the salary cap for the 2026 season by $22 million (7.9 percent increase) to $301.2 million per team, which gives general managers like Holmes some added flexibility.
Here is my list of 10 potential free agents that could interest the Lions:
(Note: This list does not include current Lions set to become free agents who could re-sign with the team.)
1. C Connor McGovern
McGovern's 69.1 Pro Football Focus grade in 2025 ranked 13th among centers. His pass-blocking grade was sixth best. He also has some position versatility, with strong performances at both center and guard in his career so far.
2. RB Brian Robinson Jr.
Robinson would bring a change of pace and a physical presence to Detroit's backfield at 6-foot-1, 225 pounds. He rushed for over 700 yards in each of his first three seasons in Washington and has a career 4.1-yard average per carry with 17 touchdowns.
3. C Cade Mays
Mays has played both guard and center in Carolina over his first four seasons, making 20 starts at center the last two seasons. He's a better pass blocker than run blocker at this point in his career having not allowed a sack the last two seasons. He's a young player (26 years old) with upside.
4. EDGE A.J. Epenesa
He fits the size profile (6-6, 260) Detroit likes in their edge players and at only 27 years old has a track record of success in this league. His sacks were down last year (2.5), but the three years prior to that he notched 6.0, 6.5 and 6.5, with 31 quarterback hits. Epenesa has never played in less than 14 games in his six seasons in the league.
5. CB Tariq Woolen
Woolen has allowed a 70.6 passer rating when thrown his way while producing 12 interceptions and defending 53 passes his first four seasons in the league. He's had some issues with penalties, but there's no denying his ball production. His addition would certainly create some competition and depth in Detroit's cornerback room.
6. S Alohi Gilman
Gilman, 28, has 51 career starts under his belt in six seasons and has the kind of versatility that could interest the Lions with his ability to play free safety (543 snaps in 2025), box safety (314 snaps) and slot corner (106 snaps).
View photos of the offensive linemen at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
Memphis offensive lineman Chris Adams (01) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida offensive lineman Austin Barber (02) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Northwestern offensive lineman Evan Beerntsen (03) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Miami offensive lineman Markel Bell (04) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas A&M offensive lineman Chase Bisontis (05) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Boston College offensive lineman Jude Bowry (06) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Alabama offensive lineman Parker Brailsford (07) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kentucky offensive lineman Joshua Braun (08) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Memphis offensive lineman Travis Burke (09) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kentucky offensive lineman Jager Burton (10) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas offensive lineman DJ Campbell (11) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Arkansas offensive lineman Fernando Carmona (12) lifts weights at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Boise State offensive lineman Kage Casey (13) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indiana offensive lineman Pat Coogan (14) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Miami offensive lineman Anez Cooper (15) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas A&M offensive lineman Dametrious Crownover (16) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kansas offensive lineman Enrique Cruz Jr. (17) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Illinois offensive lineman J.C. Davis (18) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ucla offensive lineman Garrett DiGiorgio (19) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Iowa offensive lineman Gennings Dunker (20) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Wake Forest offensive lineman Fa'alili Fa'amoe (21) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano (22) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kentucky offensive lineman Jalen Farmer (23) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia offensive lineman Monroe Freeling (24) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Georgia offensive lineman Monroe Freeling (24) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon offensive lineman Alex Harkey (26) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kansas State offensive lineman Sam Hecht (27) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Maryland offensive lineman Alan Herron (28) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Arizona State offensive lineman Max Iheanachor (29) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Penn State offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane (30) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Iowa offensive lineman Logan Jones (31) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Auburn offensive lineman Connor Lew (32) lifts weights at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Utah offensive lineman Caleb Lomu (33) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Clemson offensive lineman Blake Miller (35) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia offensive lineman Micah Morris (36) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oklahoma offensive lineman Febechi Nwaiwu (37) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Duke offensive lineman Brian Parker II (38) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Mississippi offensive lineman Diego Pounds (39) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon (40) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (41) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas A&M offensive lineman Ar'maj Reed-Adams (42) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama offensive lineman Jaeden Roberts (43) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia Tech offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge (44) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Notre Dame offensive lineman Billy Schrauth (45) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Penn State offensive lineman Drew Shelton (46) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida offensive lineman Jake Slaughter (47) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Iowa offensive lineman Beau Stephens (48) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Boston College offensive lineman Logan Taylor (49) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Northwestern offensive lineman Caleb Tiernan (50) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Missouri offensive lineman Keagen Trost (51) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Auburn offensive lineman Dillon Wade (52) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Notre Dame offensive lineman Aamil Wagner (53) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Washington offensive lineman Carver Willis (54) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Auburn offensive lineman Jeremiah Wright (56) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas A&M offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III (57) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
7. EDGE Joey Bosa
Bosa was the healthiest he's been last season since 2021, playing in 15 games for the Buffalo Bills. His 54 quarterback pressures were his most since 2021 and he also added 5.0 sacks, 16 quarterback hits and a league-leading five forced fumbles.
8. TE Charlie Kolar
Kolar was the No. 3 tight end in Baltimore behind Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. Kolar ranked eighth among qualified tight ends with a 71.5 PFF run-blocking grade. He averaged better than 14.0 yards per reception the last two seasons with a lot of upside in that department.
9. LB Justin Strnad
Strnad put together the best season of his career in 2025, ranking 26th among linebackers with a 72.1 PFF grade on 575 defensive snaps. He's got experience playing multiple linebacker roles and is a great blitzer, racking up 17 pressures and 4.5 sacks from just 84 pass-rushing snaps this past season.
10. C Tyler Biadasz
He's 28 years old with 92 games and 84 starts under his belt for the Cowboys and Commanders. He was the 16th highest graded center by PFF last season with a 70.7 overall grade. He's particularly strong in the run game and has only allowed 10 total sacks in six seasons.
