As we enter the month of May, the Detroit Lions roster is nearly set for the 2025 season.
The team that went 15-2 while starting multiple practice-squad players due to injuries every week is finally healthy again and looking to make a Super Bowl push this season. With that being said, there are always going to be areas where teams can improve, especially in the depth department.
To avoid a situation like last year's, there are a few spots where the Lions can improve their depth to ensure that injuries do not cripple them this season. Luckily, there are still plenty of great free agents on the market to add to the roster.
3 free agents the Lions should add to the roster right now
DE Za'Darius Smith
Of course, this is the obvious one. There has been plenty of speculation over the past few months regarding what will happen with Za'Darius Smith. The veteran pass rusher has been seen around the city at Pistons games, leaving fans to wonder if he plans on staying in Detroit.
Smith didn't have the best half-year in Detroit, but it was also a pretty bad situation for the veteran. He came in at the trade deadline and had to immediately be the lead edge rusher on a defense full of practice-squad players for a Super Bowl-contending team.
The veteran still was able to accumulate four sacks for the Lions to bring his total to nine sacks for the season. He was graded 21st/211 in pass rushing amongst edge rushers and 85th/211 in run defense, according to PFF.
The Lions still need an edge rusher opposite of Aidan Hutchinson, and this Smith-Lions reunion needs to happen. Smith can be dangerous as a second option edge rusher and fits just what the Lions need.
S Justin Simmons
At 31-years-old, Simmons could be a really effective depth piece for the Lions safety room.
Other options in this realm, such as Julian Blackmon, may be a bit too pricey for Detroit, but Simmons could accept a cheap contract to join a contender before the season starts. According to Spotrac, Simmons' market value sits at one year, $5.7 million for this season.
While you may say that is a bit much for a backup safety, I see a need for a good backup safety in the Lions' future. Whenever the Lions lose a cornerback to injury, which will happen, Branch usually moves to cornerback, leaving a safety spot open. The Lions don't have that third safety after Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch to fill in when Branch moves to cornerback for a few weeks.
When this happens, a guy like Simmons fits very well next to Kerby Joseph. Simmons is a hard-hitting safety who accumulated two interceptions and seven pass deflections last year with the Falcons.
LB Eric Kendricks
One player who went extremely under the radar last season was Eric Kendricks. According to PFF, Kendricks ranked 12th out of 189 linebackers in pass rush, 33rd out of 189 in run defense, and 61st out of 189 in pass coverage.
The 33-year-old veteran spent the first eight years of his career with the Minnesota Vikings before spending the past two seasons with the Chargers and the Cowboys, respectively. Kendricks had 138 total and 71 solo tackles last season, making it one of the best of his career.
Linebacker was the main position where everyone got injured for the Lions last season. They lost the likes of Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, and Malcolm Rodriguez and were forced to sign players like Jamal Adams and Kwon Alexander to start. Signing a player like Kendricks solves that problem.
According to Spotrac, Kendricks is looking at a one year, $6.7 million deal, which, unlike Simmons, makes a lot more sense considering the role he would likely play. Kendricks would be a depth piece, but one that would see the field often and have a huge impact on this defense.
