Most of the madness with free agency has died down. We've gone from a rush of things happening and me hearing the notification sound from my phone in my sleep to basically nothing has happened in a couple days. While we have this lull, it's time to do some grading of the moves the Lions have made. Let's jump into it.
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
It seemed fairly obvious that the Lions were going to stay away from the high end pass rushers in free agency. They were just way too expensive and it's not the Lions style to pay out a ton of money for a guy. So they went after former first round pick Marcus Davenport.
Davenport has dealt with injuries pretty much every year of his NFL career. This is a risky move. But when he's healthy, he is one hell of player. We're talking about a guy that can be a terror on the opposite side of Aidan Hutchinson. This signing feels very under the radar and it feels like a depth move, but Davenport should a be a much bigger part of this defense than you might initially think. That is if he can stay healthy.
Grade: B
I'll be honest, I didn't like this trade at first. I felt the Lions had given up too much for a guy that just felt unproven to me. As time has gone on and I've learned more, I can see the value in Davis and I can see what he can become. I still just don't see him as a cornerback one. Not yet at least. Hopefully I'll be proved wrong by him in 2024.
He's certainly shown some flashes of being a lockdown guy. Look at what he did to Ja'marr Chase last season. He's also shown some flashes of being the complete opposite. We're going to find out pretty soon which is the right one.
Grade: C
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
I love this signing. Robertson may be undersized as an outside corner, but he is scrappy and has killer athleticism that more than makes up for it. Robertson fits the bill for what the Lions are looking for at corner. They want a guy that can tackle and Robertson has more than shown that he can be that guy. PFF gave him tackle grades in the mid to high 70's down the stretch for the Raiders last season.
If he can bring that to Detroit as the teams CB2 or CB3, he will pay off in spades. The versatility to play on the inside can help as well.
Grade: B
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The big splash of free agency for the Lions. They needed to get someone in that nose tackle spot next to Alim McNeil and they went out and got one of the very best in the league in Reader.
He just changes this defensive line drastically. They were already very good at stopping the run, now they're going to be even better. Maybe even impenetrable. But that's not all. Reader is a guy that is a space eater. He's going to take more than one blocker with him on almost every snap. McNeill takes on blocking similar to that. Who's going to account for Hutchinson when these two mammoths are controlling the inside? Suddenly there's one on one opportunities and this is where sacks can come in. A huge move for Detroit's defense.
Grade: A
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Lions couldn't have played this any better in my opinion. They lose Jonah Jackson to the Rams and instead of going out and paying a young guard huge money, they get veteran guy coming off a Pro Bowl to come in and hold down the fort while they either get their young guys ready or draft a guard in April and take the time to get him ready.
Zeitler fits in so well with this offensive line. He's a lunch pail guy that's going to clock in and move some bodies around. That right side of the line with him and Penei Sewell is going to be doing some business.
Grade: A
This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.
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