The Detroit Lions and general manager Brad Holmes have been busy during the second wave of free agency, adding competition and depth to the roster. No one knows better than Holmes how important roster depth is after nearly two dozen players landed on injured reserve for the Lions last season.
“It made it more evident that depth is a huge critical piece and that’s throughout the entire year,” Holmes said in February when asked how last year’s attrition due to injuries might change his approach to free agency.
“So, it might not be first wave of free agency, it might not be the draft, it might be a Pat O’Connor during the summer that you add, and you just never know that’s going to be that critical piece that you need from a depth standpoint.”
Holmes added significant depth at cornerback over the last week, signing veteran free agents Avonte Maddox and Rock Ya-Sin and re-signing veteran Khalil Dorsey. Now with D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Stantley Thomas-Oliver, Maddox, Ya-Sin and Dorsey in the fold at cornerback, Detroit has a pretty good mix of experience, youth, talent and depth at the position.
Holmes also added depth on the edge and to the middle of their defensive line with the re-signings of Al-Quadin Muhammad and O’Connor. He also addressed the depth and competition at tight end and running back with the re-signings of Craig Reynolds and Shane Zylstra.
Detroit currently has 72 players on the roster with 18 spots remaining for their seven current draft picks next month, any undrafted free agents they might sign, and any veteran free agents Holmes might still have his eye on.
Here’s a closer look at the players Detroit has added over the last week in the second wave of free agency:
