Detroit Lions mailbag: Talking free agency, draft, uniforms and more

With the first wave of free agency complete, and the NFL draft rapidly approaching, let's check the mailbox and see what's on the mind of Detroit Lions fans.

▶ Question: What positions could the Lions draft in the first two rounds that would be expected to start at this point? — @ReineltTyler

▶ Answer: It's a valid question, and also kind of strange, because it's a conversation we haven't had in recent memory. Just looking at the roster, there aren't many places where a healthy starter could be easily displaced by a draft pick heading into Week 1.

Presumably, a receiver could have a shot in a three-wide formation, assuming there isn't another addition or re-signing to bolster the current corps. It's not unreasonable to believe a newcomer could push Donovan Peoples-Jones or Kalif Raymond for early snaps.

Defensively, the second edge-rushing spot is probably too cluttered for a rookie to surge past every option on the depth chart, including recent signing Marcus Davenport. Similarly, at cornerback, it's a lot to expect a first- or second-round pick to instantly jump Emmanuel Moseley, Amik Robertson. Obviously, we can acknowledge any corner taken that early would be viewed as a future starter, even if it's not from day one.

Update: An arrest warrant was issued for Sutton Wednesday morning, after this mailbag posted, putting his roster status up in the air.

Maybe there's a window of opportunity at safety, where there currently isn't much depth. Obviously, an injury to either Kerby Joseph or Ifeatu Melifonwu further clears that path.

The best answer might be kicker, where the Lions like Michael Badgley, but it feels they are only as committed to the veteran as they were last offseason, when they replaced him before the end of training camp.

▶ Q: Lions really don’t have any position needs at this time, but if they went after a big body “X” type receiver in the draft, who do you think would be the best fit? — @JoshDalley72

▶ A: I suppose I can't say Marvin Harrison Jr. or Rome Odunze and call it a day? Both of those guys will be off the board in the first 10 picks, maybe even the top five. In terms of players who could realistically be available to the Lions, I liked what I saw from LSU's Brian Thomas and South Carolina's Xavier Legette on tape.

Both are big-framed burners, which general manager Brad Holmes has tried to cheaply land through free agency a few times in Tyrell Williams, Breshad Perriman and DJ Chark. With Thomas and Legette, neither had much production prior to last season, but each topped 1,000 yards and regularly found the end zone in 2023.

I mentioned this in a recap of Mel Kiper's recent mock draft on Tuesday, but talking to Legette at the combine, he exhibited some Lions-like characteristics in his answers regarding special teams and blocking. Selflessness at a position known for producing divas is notable and welcomed.

In the second round, he's probably not a true "X," but it's easy to see Washington's Ja'Lynn Polk as a fit. I thought his film showed a lot of the characteristics Josh Reynolds has brought to Detroit's offense, in terms of physicality and route running across the middle, but with a higher ceiling.

▶ Q: Are the Lions done in free agency? Is a safety like Justin Simmons, Quandre Diggs, or Julian Blackmon on the docket? — @CHEN313

▶ A: No, the Lions probably aren't done, but there might not be any more big splashes following the additions of Carlton Davis, DJ Reader, Kevin Zeitler and Marcus Davenport. As noted above, the team could definitely use some safety depth, but I don't anticipate they'll make a run at a Pro Bowl-caliber starter such as Simmons or Diggs.

As I said to someone else on Twitter this week, what would the sales pitch be to those guys you mentioned, even if the money was right? The Lions like Joseph and Melifonwu, so you'd have to sell competing for a job or entering a rotation. As C.J. Garner-Johnson proved late last season, that's a tough pill for a proven commodity to swallow.

That means a versatile veteran with special-teams prowess makes more sense, even if that's not sexy. I had previously pitched someone like Jeremy Chinn for that void, but he got scooped up by Washington on a one-year deal.

▶ Q: What was the final tally of the T.J. Hockenson trade? — @kuria1

▶ A: It's kind of a complicated answer because the Lions moved around the board with the second-rounder they picked up from the Vikings last year, pairing it with other draft assets and eventually ending up with quarterback Hendon Hooker and defensive tackle Brodric Martin. The Vikings similarly traded down with the fourth-rounder the Lions sent back, picking up a future fifth in that swap, before snagging LSU safety Jay Ward.

The final pieces of the deal are part of the upcoming draft. The Vikings are sending the Lions the No. 73 choice in the third round and are getting back the No. 129 pick in the fourth.

The biggest impact is the Vikings had to give Hockenson a market-setting contract extension, while the Lions managed to replace his production with Sam LaPorta, who is on a relatively cheap rookie contract. It can easily be viewed as a win-win, with both teams securing a productive tight end. If Martin, Hooker or the 2024 third-rounder develops into a meaningful piece, it would be icing on the cake for the Lions.

▶ Q: Percentage chance Holmes trades out of the first round? — @rmwinesalot

▶ A: Who knows? 14.8%? It feels more likely he pairs some assets to move up for a piece he covets. I will say this, if he does trade out of the first round, it would be a bummer for fans in attendance, given the draft is being hosted in Detroit this April.

▶ Q: Are non-tendered players such as Chase Lucas or Benito Jones eligible for the comp pick formula? — @Jake_French11

▶ A: They are not. The Lions appear unlikely to get a compensatory draft pick in 2025 with the losses of Jonah Jackson and Gardner-Johnson offset by the additions of Reader, Davenport and Zeitler.

Of course, that changes if the Lions have a minority staffer hired away for a head-coaching or top executive position next offseason. For example, if Aaron Glenn gets a coaching job, the Lions would receive a pair of third-round comp picks.

▶ Q: Given the Lions' deep depth chart, are they at the point where they have to start being wary of the number of roster spots available? Are they better off consolidating/deferring draft picks? — @CitizenChug

▶ A: Another reasonable question, highlighting this strange era of Lions prosperity. I haven't really sat down and tried to map out a 53-man roster yet, but to your point, they do reach a place where they'll have to make tough cuts on players they would have preferred to keep and develop.

After the draft, we'll have a better idea, when we can really dissect things, position by position.

▶ Q: Hendon Hooker is a 26-year-old QB heading into his second season. How do you think the coaching staff and front office view him? Does he factor into Jared Goff’s possible new contract negotiations? — @gfree2075

▶ A: The evaluation really hasn't changed since the selection was made. Brad Holmes liked Hooker's ability to command Tennessee's high-tempo offense, as well as his intangibles. Those both factored into the upside projection. But Hooker isn't viewed as a short- or long-term threat to Goff's position as starter and won't be used as leverage in contract negotiations.

▶ Q: What is the latest on the new uniforms? — @The_NomadCast

▶ A: We'll probably hear more soon, but we should expect them to be revealed prior to the draft. That's too big of a marketing opportunity to pass up.

▶ Q: What is the plan for Branch? Slot corner or safety? — @mdriddlen

▶ A: Roles are still fluid at this stage of the offseason, before the roster has been fully built out through free agency and the draft, but I'm not sure why you'd look to move Branch from where he thrived as a rookie. He's such a natural playmaker from the nickel spot, particularly the way he navigates traffic to make stops against the run and on screen attempts.

▶ Q: How will having the draft in Detroit change how you and other local writers cover it? — @IanEvan71041877

▶ A: From a personal perspective, probably not much. There might be an event or two with access to prospects early in the week that I wouldn't normally have a chance to cover, but the heart of the operation will continue to be in Allen Park Thursday-Saturday.

As a publication, we'll definitely have boots on the ground, but it will be more about covering the spectacle of the event for the general public, rather than adding to our football content offerings.

▶ Q: Where are the Amon-Ra St. brown or Goff extensions? — @david_mccluskey

▶ A: There's no urgency for either. I still believe both get done this offseason, but the timeframe for those is really anywhere from now until the start of the regular season.

Frank Ragnow signed his extension in May, if that helps ease your concerns. That's the only comparable deal from Holmes' tenure we have. The previous regime liked to get these things done during training camp, with Matthew Stafford and Taylor Decker among the late-summer signings.

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

@Justin_Rogers