UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (25)
1. Quarterback Kyle Allen
2025 stats: 3 games
Twentyman: Starting quarterback Jared Goff did not miss a single game in 2025 as Allen was relegated to end-of-game duties with two pass attempts. He was a valuable resource for Goff in game preparation.
2. Linebacker Alex Anzalone
2025 stats: 16 games, 95 tackles (52 solo), 4 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 6 QB hits, 1 INT, 9 PD
Twentyman: Anzalone, 31, has been in Detroit since head coach Dan Campbell arrived in 2021 and has been one of the leaders on defense. He's been a versatile and reliable veteran in the linebacker corps with his ability to play all three spots.
3. Offensive lineman Kayode Awosika
2025 stats: 13 games, 2.5 sacks allowed, 0 penalties
Twentyman: Awosika has been a spot starter and key reserve playing in 49 games along Detroit's offensive line the last four seasons.
4. Offensive lineman Trystan Colon
2025 stats: 12 games, 1 sack allowed, 4 penalties
Twentyman: Colon made four starts for the Lions at guard and center and gave Detroit veteran depth along their offensive line having made 15 starts in Baltimore and Arizona before arriving in Detroit last offseason.
5. Linebacker Zach Cunningham
2025 stats: 4 games, 7 tackles (5 solo), 1 TFL
Twentyman: Cunningham was a versatile reserve and special teamer who played in just four games this season before a hamstring injury placed him on injured reserve.
6. Edge rusher Marcus Davenport
2025 stats: 8 games, 14 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 3 QB hits
Twentyman: Davenport dealt with injury again in 2025 and has totaled just 10 games played in his two seasons in Detroit.
7. Tight end Anthony Firkser
2025 stats: 7 games, 8 rec., 53 yds
Twentyman: Firkser played a bigger role toward the end of the season when the Lions had to dip into their tight end depth due to injury.
8. Offensive lineman Jamarco Jones
2025 stats: N/A
Twentyman: The Lions could have used Jones' veteran presence along an offensive line that dealt with injury all season long, but Jones was placed on season-ending injury reserve with an ankle injury before the regular season began.
9. Defensive lineman Roy Lopez
2025 stats: 17 games, 30 tackles (11 solo), 4 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 5 QB hits, 1 PD
Twentyman: Lopez was one of Detroit's better free agent signings last offseason. He was an impact player in the center of Detroit's defensive front with a proven track record of availability and production.
10. Defensive back Avonte Maddox
2025 stats: 14 games, 32 tackles (23 solo), 1 TFL, 1 INT, 4 PD, 1 FF
Twentyman: Like Lopez, Maddox was an important free agent acquisition last offseason bringing a veteran presence to Detroit's secondary and the versatility to play both safety and cornerback in Kelvin Sheppard's defense. He stepped in and played a big role when Detroit lost safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch to injury.
11. Defensive back Arthur Maulet
2025 stats: 9 games, 14 tackles (11 solo), 1 INT, 2 PD
Twentyman: Maulet was asked to step in and play a role at nickel corner and on special teams in nine games this season and he made some splash plays.
12. Safety Jalen Mills
2025 stats: 3 games, 6 tackles (2 solo), 1 PD
Twentyman: The 10-year veteran was brought in when Detroit's numbers at safety started to deteriorate because of injury. He ended up playing three games with the Lions late in the year.
13. Edge Al-Quadin Muhammad
2025 stats: 17 games, 25 tackles (15 solo), 9 TFL, 11.0 sacks, 20 QB hits
Twentyman: It was a breakout eighth season for Muhammad, 30, who recorded career highs in sacks, tackles for loss and QB hits. He became just the 11th player in franchise history to produce a season with double-digit sacks.
14. Defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike
2025 stats: N/A
Twentyman: Onwuzurike was coming off a career season in 2024 but never made it to the regular season in 2025 as he was placed on the PUP list to begin training camp with an ACL injury. The former second-round pick never had the consistent production the Lions were hoping for the last four seasons, mainly due to injury.
15. Defensive lineman Josh Paschal
2025 stats: N/A
Twentyman: Like Onwuzurike, injuries never seemed to let Paschal reach his full potential in Detroit. The former second-round pick underwent back surgery before the season. His practice window was opened in November but he never progressed enough to be activated to the 53-man roster. He had 5.0 sacks in 36 games played over three seasons.
16. Wide receiver Kalif Raymond
2025 stats: 15 games, 24 rec., 289 yds, 1 TD, 7.5 punt return avg. 1 TD, 26.8 kickoff return avg.
Twentyman: Raymond broke Mel Gray's franchise record for most punt return yards in team history this season. He's been a glue piece on the roster since 2021 and a player who can step in and play any receiver position.
17. Defensive lineman DJ Reader
2025 stats: 17 games, 28 tackles (11 solo), 4 QB hits
Twentyman: Reader has been a valuable veteran presence in the middle of Detroit's defensive line the last two seasons and he played in all 17 games this season. He was a mentor for rookie first-round pick Tyleik Williams. He was solid against the run but didn't offer a lot in terms of interior pass rush (17 hurries).
18. Cornerback Amik Robertson
2025 stats: 17 games, 52 tackles (43 solo), 2 TFL, 1 INT, 12 PD, 2 FF
Twentyman: Robertson was a rock in a fluctuating Lions secondary all season. He can play in the slot and out wide and the Lions relied on him heavily to wear multiple hats for their defense. He did allow a career-high seven touchdowns in his coverage area this season.
19. Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez
2025 stats: 7 games, 12 tackles (9 solo), 1 TFL
Twentyman: Rodriguez returned in November from a torn ACL suffered last season and ended up playing in seven games with one start. He's been a core special teamer and key reserve at linebacker his first four seasons in Detroit.
20. Tackle Dan Skipper
2025 stats: 12 games, 0 sacks allowed, 1 penalty
Twentyman: Skipper has spent most of his eight seasons in the NFL in Detroit as a swing and reserve tackle making 16 starts over the last four seasons. He's become a cult hero to Lions fans. He said after Sunday's win over the Bears he was contemplating retirement this offseason.
21. Linebacker Grant Stuard
2025 stats: 17 games, 19 tackles (6 solo), 1 TFL
Twentyman: Stuard was brought in to be a special teams ace and finished the season leading Detroit with 13 special teams tackles on the year.
22. Safety Daniel Thomas
2025 stats: 12 games, 23 tackles (10 solo), 1 TFL, 1 PD
Twentyman: Thomas ended up making two starts at safety as Detroit was decimated by injury there. Thomas is a solid reserve having carved out a six-year career in Jacksonville and Detroit with 83 games under his belt (six starts).
23. Linebacker Ezekiel Turner
2025 stats: N/A
Twentyman: After playing in nine games as a reserve in 2024, Turner left Detroit's preseason finale in 2025 with an achilles injury that landed him on injured reserve before the 2025 season began.
24. Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin
2025 stats: 17 games, 47 tackles (27 solo), 2 QBH, 9 PD
Twentyman: Ya-Sin turned out to be a critical offseason signing by GM Brad Holmes as he played a big role in Detroit's secondary all season making six starts. Opponents completed just 51 percent of the passes thrown his way (25-for-49) with a 74.5 rating and just one touchdown allowed. He was one of Detroit's most consistent players in the secondary.
25. Tight end Shane Zylstra
2025 stats: 6 games, 3 rec., 20 yds
Twentyman: Zylstra made the team out of training camp as the No. 3 tight end but suffered an ankle injury Week 2 that landed him on IR. He returned in December to play a role after Detroit lost tight ends Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright due to injury.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (3)
1. Wide receiver Tom Kennedy
2025 stats: 6 games, 4 rec., 36 yds, 16.7 punt return avg., 27.9 kickoff return avg.
Twentyman: Kennedy got called up from the practice squad late in the year and made the biggest impact as a returner. He's a reliable veteran who is always ready to step into any role when needed.
2. Linebacker Trevor Nowaske
2025 stats: 15 games, 22 tackles (9 solo), 2 TFL, 1.0 sack, 2 QB hits, 1 FR
Twentyman: Nowaske carved out a nice special teams and reserve linebacker role in his third season with the Lions. He finished second on the team with 12 special teams tackles.
3. Edge rusher Tyrus Wheat
2025 stats: 15 games, 15 tackles (7 solo), 1 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 2 QB hits, 1 FF, 1 PD
Twentyman: Wheat has terrific movement skills for a player his size as he played a big role on kickoff coverage, finishing third on the team with 11 special teams tackles. He's still an emerging player in just his third season.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS (1)
1. Kicker Jake Bates
2025 stats: 27-for-34 FGs, 54-for-56 EP
Twentyman: Bates' field goal percentage was down in 2025 vs. his percentage in 2024, but after Sunday's walk-off winner in Chicago, Bates is 6-of-6 on go-ahead/game-tying FGs in the final two minutes or overtime and reached 135 points scored on the season, which marks second-most points a kicker has produced in a season in franchise history, trailing only his team record of 142 points scored in 2024.
