The Free Agent Reality Check: Ranking the Lions’ 2026 Signings (17-10)
Here we are again, Detroit. Another offseason, another round of fans losing their collective minds because the Lions didn’t throw stupid money at shiny free agents. The team’s $50.8 million in total contract value ranks 27th league-wide, and you’d think Brad Holmes personally insulted every season ticket holder’s mother.
But hold on. That spending total still beats four playoff teams from 2025. Only three of the 14 playoff squads from 2025 ranked in the top 14 for spending, with just those three crossing $100 million. Turns out successful franchises don’t always need to act like drunken sailors in March. Who knew?
With the draft breathing down our necks, it’s time to break down what Holmes actually did this offseason. This isn’t the splashiest group, but it’s calculated and cost-effective. The front office filled depth chart holes without handcuffing themselves heading into draft weekend at Ford Field.
These rankings blend projected role, current ability, future upside, contract value, and those intangibles that actually matter when the lights come on. Let’s start with the bottom tier and work our way up.
No. 17: RB Isiah Pacheco | Age 26.1 | $1.81M/1 year ($1.81M guaranteed)
This one hurts to watch. Pacheco got the Lions’ only fully guaranteed deal this offseason and ranks as the NFL’s 44th-highest paid running back despite coming off back-to-back disappointing seasons in Kansas City.
The numbers don’t lie, and they’re ugly. Over the past two seasons, Pacheco ranked near the bottom in yards after contact per rush, EPA per rush, and explosive run rate. In 2025, he finished bottom-five in rushing yards over expected and avoided tackle rate. Those aren’t “unlucky” stats. Those are “the player isn’t good anymore” stats.
Replacing David Montgomery was never going to be easy, but this feels like the front office fell in love with the person instead of evaluating the player. Pacheco has put together two injury-riddled, underwhelming seasons at football’s most unforgiving position. His vision issues make D’Andre Swift look like Barry Sanders, and that’s saying something.
Maybe Sione Vaki takes a bigger role when healthy, or maybe the Lions use draft capital on running back. Right now though, Pacheco looks like the most underwhelming contributor on what should again be a top-five offense.
No. 16: WR Tom Kennedy | Age 29.7 | $1.235M/1 year ($0.02M guaranteed)
The immortal Tom Kennedy lives to fight another training camp battle. Like a Detroit cockroach, you can’t kill this guy’s roster spot hopes.
Kennedy had his moment in the sun last season with three kick returns for 120 yards and a punt return for 21 yards against Dallas in primetime. Despite looking like he should be coaching lacrosse at a Division III school, he keeps finding ways to hang around through special teams value.
He’s the king of August, looking smooth in 7-on-7 drills and keeping pressure on younger receivers fighting for that WR5 spot. For minimal guaranteed money, it’s a harmless flier on a guy who knows the system and won’t embarrass you if called upon.
No. 15: LB Trevor Nowaske | Age 27.4 | $1.35M/1 year ($0.55M guaranteed)
Nowaske is your classic special teams ace who carved out a role as the last linebacker on the depth chart. He can stand up in coverage and serve as the primary backup to Derrick Barnes at SAM linebacker when the Lions go heavy.
Maximum effort guy who earned his guaranteed money through consistency. Not sexy, but necessary. These are the types of signings that keep rosters functional when injuries hit.
No. 14: TE Tyler Conklin | Age 30.7 | $1.3M/1 year ($0 guaranteed)
Conklin represents the gray beard approach the Lions took with several signings this offseason. He’s entering his eighth season on his fourth team, looking to carve out a meaningful role in his 30s.
The man is reliable as a Detroit winter. He’s missed just six games across 133 in his career, with four of those coming last season. From 2021-24, he recorded at least 51 receptions and 449 receiving yards each year.
The Lions desperately needed competent depth at TE3 after getting exposed by injuries to Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright last season. Conklin provides dependable blocking and receiving ability without breaking the bank. With all three tight ends set to hit free agency after this season, don’t be surprised if the Lions still draft at the position.
No. 13: S Chuck Clark | Age 30.9 | Contract undisclosed
Clark gives the Lions another veteran presence in the secondary. The former sixth-round pick has carved out a nine-year NFL career and was a leader on several strong Baltimore defenses in the early 2020s.
His value is versatility and reliability. Clark can play free safety, come down in the box, rotate into the slot for blitzes, or line up near the line of scrimmage. He brings steady experience with over 100 career games, 80-plus starts, and more than 5,000 defensive snaps.
The additions of Christian Izien, Roger McCreary, and Clark, combined with returns of Rock Ya-Sin and Avonte Maddox, give the Lions legitimate depth across the secondary. They can go 11-deep without forcing an early draft pick if the board doesn’t align.
No. 12: DE Payton Turner | Age 27.2 | $1.145M ($0 guaranteed)
Turner is the classic traits bet. A freakish athlete who’s still relatively young with limited NFL production due to availability issues. The veteran minimum deal with no guarantees makes this a true no-risk flier.
On paper, Turner fits cleanly into the Lions’ defensive structure as a rotational piece opposite Aidan Hutchinson. He flashed legitimate pass-rush ability during stretches in 2024, particularly against Atlanta. If he can provide 10-20 quality snaps per game, this signing pays off.
Worst case scenario, he’s not on the team come September and costs the Lions essentially nothing. Best case, they found a diamond in the rough.
No. 11: DE DJ Wonnum | Age 28.4 | $3.00M/1 year ($2.27M guaranteed)
Wonnum may not be the most inspiring solution at edge defender, especially compared to younger options with higher ceilings. But the Lions deserve some credit here. Wonnum brings stability at a modest cost, ranking as just the 20th-highest paid free agent edge rusher this offseason.
He carries market validation from landing a multi-year deal with Carolina two years ago at an average annual value north of $6 million. Wonnum projects as functional rather than featured, but he can handle early-down snaps and provide pocket push.
You get what you pay for though. While Wonnum fits the scheme, he won’t be the impact player who shifts the equation up front. The Lions will still need to swing big in the draft to find that difference-maker opposite Hutchinson.
No. 10: LB Damone Clark | Age 25.7 | $1.40M/1 year ($0.75M guaranteed)
Clark’s early NFL career was disrupted by spinal fusion surgery and the chaos that is the Dallas Cowboys organization. He’s dealt with inconsistent defensive line play and played under multiple coordinators, including Mike Zimmer and Matt Eberflus.
Kelvin Sheppard becomes his sixth defensive coordinator in six seasons, but there’s familiarity here. Sheppard was on staff at LSU
