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:
CB Khalil Dorsey
Dorsey is one of the best special teams gunners in the game and adds depth and experience on defense too. He played in 14 games last season with one start and had 14 tackles and defended two passes before breaking his leg in December. He’s played in 33 career games with opposing quarterbacks completing 55 percent of the passes thrown his way. His special teams prowess is really where his game stands out.
CB Avonte Maddox
Maddox is coming off a Super Bowl title with Philadelphia, which is where the Detroit native spent the first seven years of his NFL career, playing in 81 games with 41 starts. He’s coming off a 2024 season in which he played in all 21 games (including playoffs) with teams completing just 51.7 percent of their passes (15-for-29) in his coverage area with a 77.4 passer rating in a reserve role. He’s got a ton of experience in the slot but can also play out wide and even has some safety reps under his belt. He’s also a very good special teamer.
DL Al-Quadin Muhammad
Muhammad expressed an interest in re-signing with Detroit following the season and both sides have made that a reality after he played an important part in Detroit’s defense down the stretch when they suffered a bunch of injuries along their defensive line. Muhammad played in nine games (two starts) and recorded 11 tackles, four tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and a forced fumble. His 26 total quarterback pressures finished sixth on the team behind Levi Onwuzurike, Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Za’Darius Smith and Josh Paschal, per Pro Football Focus statistics.
DL Pat O’Connor
Holmes mentioned O’Connor specifically when talking about roster depth at the NFL Scouting Combine and O’Connor played a critical depth role late in the year. He gives the Lions a ton of experience (80 games played) and is a perfect culture fit for their defense. He played 12 games for the Lions in 2024 with 18 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and one quarterback hit.
RB Craig Reynolds
Reynolds has been Detroit’s No. 3 running back for the last three seasons and he’s as steady and reliable as they come on both offense and special teams. He averaged 4.5 yards per rush last season and added three receptions for 40 yards, playing behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery most of the season. Whenever he’s been asked to step up and play more, he always seems up to the task.
CB Rock Ya-Sin
A former second-round pick by Indianapolis in 2019, Ya-Sin spent last season as a reserve playing in 13 games for the 49ers. He’s played in 79 career games (39 starts) with four different teams in six seasons and has racked up 199 career tackles (166 solo), 31 passes defended and two interceptions.
TE Shane Zylstra
Zylstra started the season on the practice squad but was eventually elevated to the 53-man roster and ended up playing 12 games in a reserve tight end and special teams role. He caught one pass for 22 yards last season and will compete with free-agent signee Kenny Yeboah for Detroit’s third tight end role behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright heading into 2025.
