Lions free agency preview: Detroit hasn’t had this much LB depth in a long time
This is the seventh installment of our series previewing the Detroit Lions’ positional needs heading into free agency. The negotiating window opens on Monday, and deals can be signed starting on Wednesday. Today: Linebacker. Previously: Receiver/tight end | Offensive line | Running back | Quarterback | Defensive line/EDGE | Defensive back
Under contract: Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Expiring contracts: Anthony Pittman (RFA)
Best available: Lavonte David (Bucs), Patrick Queen (Ravens), Frankie Luvu (Panthers), Jordyn Brooks (Seahawks), Bobby Wagner (Seahawks), Jerome Baker (Dolphins)
Other potential Lions fits: Isaiah Simmons (Giants), Anthony Walker Jr. (Browns), Sione Takitaki (Browns), Cody Barton (Commanders), Akeem Davis-Gaither (Bengals), Khaleke Hudson (Commanders), Josh Woods (Cardinals), Tyler Matakevich (Bills)
Breakdown: Let’s get one thing straight. Yes, we’re going to give you our required free agency preview for linebackers. But the Lions are set from every direction in the linebacker room.
They have the near-every-down snap team captain in Alex Anzalone. Jack Campbell was a first-round pick who showed signs of growth the more he played in his more natural position as a rookie. Derrick Barnes enjoyed his best season since landing with the Lions and should be a key player again in 2024. And Malcolm Rodriguez was a beloved, hard-hitting rookie linebacker in 2022 who transitioned into a stud on special teams this past season.
Rodriguez, Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Anthony Pittman form one of the best trios on special teams in the league. Reeves-Maybin is back with a new two-year deal. Pittman is expected to return as a restricted free agent. He’s logged more than 1,000 snaps on special teams over the last three seasons and is quite the talented LB6 if we’re being honest. That’s quite the luxury.
That said, perhaps the Lions are looking for a youthful developmental piece to compete in the offseason program and training camp.
We won’t spend much time on the top of the linebacker class. It’s a strong group littered with a variety of choices in established veterans and impressive players coming off of their rookie deals for the first time. But, alas, let’s proceed.
