The Detroit Lions made some big moves during 2024 free agency to try and strengthen their starting lineup.
They traded for Carlton Davis and signed Amik Robertson to improve their options at corner.
They also signed D.J. Reader to a $22 million contract to solidify the defensive line and picked up former Pro Bowl guard Kevin Zeitler to fill their opening at right guard.
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While these moves all worked out pretty well for the team, their first signing of the offseason didn't work out quite as well.
In an article discussing each NFL team's best and worst signing from the 2024 offseason, Pro Football Focus' Dalton Wasserman named Marcus Davenport as the Lions' worst signing of the 2024 offseason.
Davenport didn't get much of a chance to make an impact for the Lions during his lone season with the team. He was injured twice in the first three weeks of the season, with the second injury ending his year.
However, there's a pretty good case to be made that $6.5 million for Davenport wasn't really a good signing to begin with.
The Lions needed an edge rusher who could make an impact alongside Aidan Hutchinson.
Davenport has never really proven he could be that guy in the NFL.
His career high in sacks is nine and he has only ever had more than five in one other season over his injury-riddled career.
His last healthy season saw him register just half a sack over 15 games with the Saints.
The Lions ended up being able to acquire a better option during the 2024 regular season through a trade for Za'Darius Smith.
During the 2025 offseason, the Lions will be looking to add somebody who can be a long-term option to supplement Hutchinson in the pass rush and they'll hope it works out better than this signing.
Best free agent signing: G Kevin Zeitler
"Zeitler arrived in Detroit as the replacement up front for Jonah Jackson, who signed with the Rams. The 34-year-old played brilliantly, earning the highest run-blocking grade of his career and his highest overall grade since 2014."
Lions have easy decisions on Kevin Zeitler and Marcus Davenport this offseason
Zeitler's wife made it clear on social media that he's not retiring this offseason, referencing "Year 14" after the season-ending loss to Washington. There will surely be a solid market for his services in free agency, and a multi-year deal isn't out of the question even though he'll turn 35 right before the league year starts.
The Lions will surely do everything they can to bring Zeitler back, and it's possible he'll take less than he could get elsewhere to stick around at least one more year.
The Lions signed Davenport knowing his injury history, which is why he came so cheaply. This year's injury was random and unlucky, as Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson chopped down on his arm in a pretty dirty move, but there's no getting around that Davenport has only played six games over the last two seasons.
The Lions clearly went 1-for-2 on Zeitler and Davenport in 2024 free agency. As for which of them will be brought back this offseason, or at least who will have real effort applied to bringing them back, that's also incredibly obvious.
