As the disappointment with their early playoff exit fades, the Detroit Lions head into what could be a relatively pain-free offseason.
The front office has worked hard to balance salaries and will have a projected cap space of $67.9 million, via Spotrac. After a season marked with injuries, the Lions will also see the return of star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson among several others on defense.
One senior defensive lineman has been identified as a top possibility for the cut, so the Lions may still need to make some roster changes if they want additional room to add free agents.
According to Bleacher Report’s ranking of the 32 NFL teams’ greatest salary cap casualties, defensive lineman D.J. Reader is the most likely Lions player to be cut.
According to the source, “the Lions may decide not to cut anyone for cap purposes because they are in decent shape with 2025 cap space.” However, D.J. Reader might be a contender if they wish to reach out to certain free agents or clear cap to re-sign their own players.
If they let go of the seasoned nose tackle, they would have $8 million in cap space. According to the source, the Lions may need to look at cap moves like cutting Reader if they hope to retain free agent defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike and rising star Alim McNeill for the future.
Reader signed a two-year, $27.25 million contract with the Lions last offseason. He appeared in 15 games, all starts, and made a total of 23 tackles with 3.0 sacks.
With 22 players set to enter unrestricted free agency this offseason, the Lions will need to make some significant internal decisions. Carlton Davis III, a cornerback who joined the team through a trade last summer and had a successful season, is on the list. According to Tim Twentyman, a reporter on the team’s official website, Davis is anticipated to command a high price this summer.
Twentyman stated, “Davis was playing at a Pro Bowl level this season before his season ended due to a broken jaw sustained in Week 15 against Buffalo.” “The Lions must decide whether to tag him, re-sign him, or let him walk and go younger at the position because he will be one of the most sought-after free-agent cornerbacks available this offseason.” Security Following a season in which he demonstrated his versatility in the secondary, Ifeatu Melifonwu is also set to enter unrestricted free agency. Twentyman mentioned that he might join the squad again in 2025.
“Until late December, Melifonwu was unable to return to the field due to ankle and finger injuries,” Twentyman wrote. After being selected here in the 2021 first draft class of Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell, he stated following the season that he would like to re-sign with Detroit. When healthy, he is a versatile defensive back. The Lions, who won a league-best 15 games but lost to the Washington Commanders in the divisional round of the playoffs, assembled a well-rounded group this season to build on their run to the NFC Championship Game the previous season.
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