The Detroit Lions have revamped their secondary, building an aggressive unit around a core of young and talented players.
But one analyst believes the team could use a bit more experience in the unit, suggesting the team could find a “steal” in free agency. The Lions left room on their final roster at Tuesday’s cutdown deadline, and now could choose to use some of it to boost their secondary.
Lions Could Take Run at Asante Samuel Jr.
Christian Booher of SI.com broke down four potential free agents that the Lions could add after the final roster was shaped, suggesting the team take a look at cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., who is a free agent after his $7 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers came to an end.
Booher noted that he has been dealing with injuries but that could lower his cost, making him a smart addition for the Lions.
“Injuries limited Samuel last season, as he appeared in just four games. While the Lions do have some established options at the cornerback position, but bringing in more depth wouldn’t hurt the team,” Booher wrote.
Booher added that Samuel could help some of Detroit’s younger players develop.
“Detroit’s cornerback room has some solid young talent. However, the team has just three true safeties in Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch and newcomer Daniel Thomas,” he wrote. “If Samuel’s medicals check out, he could wind up being a steal at the position in some capacity.”
Samuel was seen as a reliable cornerback before injuries limited him in 2024. He appeared in 50 games with 47 starts across four seasons with the Chargers, making 176 total tackles with six interceptions and 37 passes defensed.
Lions Would Have to Wait for Asante Samuel
Samuel may not be an immediate option for the Lions. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, reported that the veteran cornerback had a spinal procedure this offseason and will undergo a CT scan in October to determine his timeline for return.
Fowler wrote that Samuel plans to play in the second half of this NFL season and will likely find a landing spot, with several teams showing interest.
“An update on Asante Samuel: He’s scheduled to undergo a CT scan in October to ensure successful spinal fusion,” Fowler wrote. “At that point, he will look to sign with a team for the second half of the year. Several teams have kept in touch.”
Samuel appeared headed for a big deal before being sidetracked by the back injury. Spotrac had projected that he would receive a 3-year, $45.8 million contract this season, though it’s unclear how much his injury has changed that or whether Samuel is more likely to play 2025 on a one-year deal instead.
The Lions left three spots open on their final roster at Tuesday’s deadline, though many expected that the team would use at least one of them to boost their pass rush. The team does not have a proven pass rusher to line up opposite star Aidan Hutchinson.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes said the team has remained in contact with veteran Za’Darius Smith, who joined the Lions at last season’s trade deadline and finished the year with 4.0 sacks. The Lions released Smith early in the offseason but many insiders expect he could return to Detroit on a new contract.
