The OnePride podcast is back live Thursday at 6:30pm EST to talk about Detroit Lions 2021 NFL free agent targets. MicroMike will break down possible free agents the Lions will look at to help this roster. Also, the live mailbag segment is on to talk all things Detroit Lions

The Lions are loading up for a run in a year or two, which means spending big on guys in 2021 never made a lot of sense. Instead, they’re searching for good values at the middle tiers of free agency, while using the money they do have to add players who can be both schematic as well as culture fits that get this rebuild off the ground.

Let’s break down all the moves so far heading into the start of the signing period at 4 p.m.

RE-SIGNED

DE Romeo Okwara: Was claimed off waivers in 2018, then immediately led the Lions in sacks that year blowing up with another 10 last season. That ranked among the top 10 players in the league despite being surrounded by one of the worst defenses in NFL history. He’s also been a tremendous influence in the locker room, and helped develop younger players like Austin Bryant and Julian Okwara, his younger brother.

LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin: Signed a one-year deal worth $2.2 million, and once Kenny Golladay signs his big free-agent deal, Reeves-Maybin will become the lone surviving member of the 2017 draft class.

CB Mike Ford: Signed a one-year deal worth $1.2 million. He’s been excellent on special teams, where he contributes on almost every unit, and can play in the defensive backfield in a pinch.

SIGNED

RB Jamaal Williams: The Lions were blanked during the first 36 hours of free agency, and that shouldn’t be a surprise given where they are in this rebuild. But Williams is exactly the kind of signing the Lions should be making

TRADED FOR

DT Michael Brockers: The Lions made a second move overnight, sending a 2023 seventh-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for the pass-rushing defensive tackles. Yes, defensive tackles are allowed to rush.

Lost

WR Marvin Jones (Jaguars): Was a productive player in Detroit, and his loss will be felt, especially once Kenny Golladay and Danny Amendola find new homes too, like Jamal Agnew already did. That’s all three starters and one backup, gone from a passing game that was the closest thing Detroit had to a strength last season.

WR Jamal Agnew (Jaguars): Speaking of Jacksonville, the Jaguars also showered Agnew with a three-year deal that is worth up to $21 million. That might be an even better pay day than what Jones got, considering Agnew never was much more than a gadget player on offense in Detroit. But he was an All-Pro return man who housed more kicks and punts for touchdowns than any other player in the game since 2017, and the Lions will miss it.

LB Jarrad Davis (Jets): Yet another busted pick from Detroit’s failed 2017 draft class. Davis was among the worst linebackers in the league before losing his starting job, although did show some upside as a situational pass-rusher last season. Which might help explain why the Jets gave him $7 million for next season.

CB Justin Coleman: Got the No. 1 contract in the league for a nickel back. Last year, he allowed the highest QB rating in the league for a nickel back. That math doesn’t add up, and now he’s out. Not much of a surprise there, considering Coleman’s base salary was slated to be $8.95 million this year. He just signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins worth $2.75 million. Says all you need to know. He was overpaid in Detroit, by a lot.

EXPECTED CUTS

QB Chase Daniel: Like Jesse James, Daniel was acquired in a moment of desperation for Bob Quinn. The backup quarterback position had gone unaddressed for years, and it killed the Lions when Matthew Stafford went down for eight games in 2019.

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