Lions free agency recap through the first two weeks and medical concerns for the players signed by GM Brad Holmes
Here is a full recap of Lions free agency so far including updated contract information. and level of medical concern from 1 (none) to 10 (extreme).
*All ages are at the start of the 2025 season.
Credit to spotrac.com and pro-football-reference.com for data.
Avonte Maddox, CB – age 29* (undisclosed contract)
Concern level 4/10: Last season he was extremely reliable playing in all 21 games with the Eagles, but he has been banged up a lot over his career with pec surgery, toe surgery, severe concussion, hamstring, ankle, and knee. He will be valuable veteran depth at CB.
Khalil Dorsey, CB – age 27* (2 years / $300,000 guaranteed, up to $3.3 million)
⊳See Dorsey article for full details.
Concern level 3/10: The tib/fib fracture on December 15, 2024 should be recovered by training camp but there is always a chance of residual effects. The contract suggests the Lions are being cautious given the low guarantee number. There is a nice multi-year upside for the team if he has a full recovery. The severe rhabdomyolysis from 2023 isn’t a concern now. In 2020/2021, Dorsey had bilateral shoulder issues, but that hasn’t been a problem the past three years. He is a valuable special teamer who also has played spot duty at CB the past two years with the Lions.
Rock Ya-Sin, CB – age 29* (undisclosed contract)
Concern level 3/10: No major injuries but there is a recent history of knee and foot issues causing missed games. Was healthy last season with the 49ers although only played limited snaps mostly on special teams. He should provide valuable depth at CB.
Mitchell Agude, LB – age 26 (1yr / undisclosed)
⊳See Agude article for full details.
Concern level 5/10: While he has been healthy during his college and NFL career, a life-threatening head and brain injury at age nine does carry some concerns if he has any future concussions. As a rookie last year, he played four of the last five games and hopes to build upon that going into year two.
Al-Quadin Muhammad, DE – age 30* (undisclosed contract)
Concern level 2/10: His age of 30 is the only minor health concern as he has had no notable injuries in his career and was healthy last year with the Lions. The biggest concern might be that his 2023 PES suspension possibly puts him at risk for a 2-year NFL suspension if he tests positive again. With the Lions injuries at DE last year, Muhammad got a lot of playing time averaging about 43% of defensive snaps per game and finishing with three sacks.
Pat O’Connor, DT – age 31 (undisclosed contract)
⊳See O’Connor article for full details.
Concern level 2/10: He did not finish the year due to a calf injury, but he’ll have multiple months to recover. His age along with any possible residuals from an MCL/PCL knee injury from four years ago are the main concerns.
Shane Zylstra, TE – age 28 (undisclosed contract)
Concern level 3/10: The right knee has suffered two significant injuries (MCL, patella fracture) in the past. It’s reassuring that he had a healthy 2024 season with the Lions.
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Tim Patrick, WR – age 31 (1yr / $2.5 million guaranteed, up to $4 million)
⊳See Patrick article for full details.
Concern level 6/10: His age along with recent history of Achilles and ACL are a concern. Even with a healthy, productive last season, it remains to be seen whether his ligaments and tendons can hold up. He should start the season as the #3 WR.
Kenny Yeboah, TE – age 26 (1 year / $ undisclosed)
Concern level 4/10: Possible 2024 core muscle injury which raises concern for something that could require surgery if there is a recurrence. Only played 9 games and 5 games the past two seasons due to hamstring and calf issues. Primary role likely to be on special teams.
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Trevor Nowaske, LB – age 26 (1 yr / $1.03 million)
Concern level 2/10: Concussion in 2024, otherwise medically clean. Played a lot last year (40% average defensive snap count per game) after Derrick Barnes was injured.
Kyle Allen, QB – age 29 (1 yr / $100,000 guaranteed up to $1.27 million)
Concern level 2/10: Ankle dislocation in 2020, but healthy since. The low salary and guarantee suggest he’s more of a camp arm than a serious contender for the backup position.
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Levi Onwuzurike, DT – age 27 (1yr / $3.5 million guaranteed, up to $5.5 million)
⊳See Onwuzurike article for full details.
Concern level 6/10: The L5-S1 fusion in 2022 remains an ongoing concern despite a mostly healthy 2024 season (hamstring, right knee/ankle). The short contract and relatively low salary suggest NFL teams share this concern.
Grant Stuard, LB – age 26 (1 yr / $1.7m fully guaranteed)
Concern level 2/10: Remote history of torn meniscus, otherwise in good shape. Has played almost every game in his 4-year career. Looks like a healthier, younger replacement for Jalen Reeves-Maybin who was released.
Craig Reynolds, RB – age 29* (1 yr / undisclosed)
Concern level 1/10: Played 100% of games past two seasons with no significant injuries in his past.
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Dan Skipper, OT – age 30 (1yr / undisclosed)
⊳See Skipper article for full details.
Concern level 2/10: Suspected rib injury last year but played all games. Only concern is he plays most of next season at age 31.
Roy Lopez, DT – age 28* (1 yr / $3.5m guaranteed, up to $4.65m)
Concern level 1/10: Extremely reliable in his four-year NFL career playing almost all games with no significant injuries. Could get a lot of snaps in 2025 with Alim McNeill still recovering from ACL.
Myles Adams, DT – age 27 (1 yr / undisclosed)
Concern level 1/10: Clean medical history means he’ll be a healthy, reliable backup along the defensive line.
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D.J. Reed, CB – age 28 (3 yr / $31 million guaranteed, up to $48 million)
⊳See Reed article for full details.
Concern level 2/10: Minor issues of groin and concussion the past two years, but no active concerns going into 2025. Pec tear from 2020 shouldn’t be an issue.
Derrick Barnes, LB – age 26* (3 yr / $16 million guaranteed, up to $25.5 million)
⊳See Barnes article for full details.
Concern level 4/10: Missed final 15 games of last season due to MCL/PCL surgery. The substantial contract shows that the Lions have confidence in his recovery.
Marcus Davenport, DE – age 29* (1 yr / $1.65 million guaranteed, up to $4.5 million)
⊳See Davenport article for full details.
Concern level 7/10: Missed almost all of past two seasons with triceps tear and high ankle sprain. The incentive-laden contract shows that the Lions (and other teams) have doubts about his reliability.
Netane Muti, OG – age 26* (1yr / $1.1m)
Concern level 8/10: Missed last season with pec tear to go along with Lisfranc and Achilles history. Can his ligaments and tendons hold up in the NFL?
Anthony Pittman, LB – age 28 (1 yr / $1.17 million)
Concern level 1/10: Clean history. Expect to see him mostly on special teams.
Ezekiel Turner, LB – age 29* (1 yr / $1.255 million)
Concern level 1/10: Remote history of shoulder issue. Played 111 snaps on defense last year with Lions as the LB unit was ravaged by injuries.
Morice Norris, DB – age 24 (1yr / $840,000)
Concern level 1/10: No major injuries and finished his rookie season last year healthy. Only played in the final three games of the season though.
