12 Lions free agent targets to watch in Sunday’s playoff games

After a thrilling day of Saturday Wild Card playoff football, the NFL continues on Sunday with a tripleheader of games that can hopefully live up to that hype.

For Detroit Lions fans, though, it’s the offseason, and the team needs to improve if they want to be playing deep into January next year. So as you’re watching Sunday’s games, here are 12 players to keep an eye on, as they are currently heading toward free agency in March.

Bills at Jaguars — 1 p.m. ET — CBS

Bills free agents

G/C Connor McGovern (#66) – Arguably the second-best center set to hit the free agent market after Baltimore’s Tyler Linderbaum, McGovern has been the Bills’ starting center for the past two years and hasn’t given up a single sack over that period. He’s also logged starts at both guard positions in the NFL. At 28 years old, he likely won’t be cheap, but he’ll be a relatively long-term solution at either guard or center while also providing some much-needed experience.

LG David Edwards (#76) – If the Lions plan on moving Tate Ratledge to center, Edwards would make a great veteran left guard, allowing Christian Mahogany to move back to right guard (his college position). Edwards is a former Brad Holmes draft pick when he was director of college scouting for the Rams (2019 fifth-round pick), and the Bills guard has built out a nice career since then. His play has been consistently solid but not outstanding, which could mean the 28-year-old could come at a relatively affordable price—he signed a two-year, $6 million extension with the Bills in 2024.

Jaguars free agents

LB Devin Lloyd (#0) – If the Lions aren’t willing to pay Alex Anzalone, I’d be shocked if they’d shell out the cost it would take to sign Lloyd, who is having a career season on the final year of his rookie deal. The 27-year-old linebacker has five interceptions, six tackles for loss, and the third-best PFF grade among all linebackers. If Detroit wants to improve their coverage from their linebackers, Lloyd is the best option, but he will be pricey.

S Andrew Wingard (#42) – Wingard is a quintessential “Dan Campbell guy” who has fought against the odds to work his way into the starting lineup several times over the course of his career despite being labeled as a special teams ace and entering the league as an undrafted player. He’s a menace in the run game, posting an 81.0 PFF grade against the run, and while coverage has been a liability, he did post a career-high nine passes defended this year. He’d be a relatively cheap player to help if Brian Branch’s Achilles injury bleeds into the regular season, and he’d be one of Dave Fipp’s favorite players

49ers at Eagles — 4:30 p.m. ET — FOX

49ers free agents

RB Brian Robinson (#3) – The Knuckles to Christian McCaffrey’s Sonic, Robinson is coming off his rookie contract looking to score a raise. The Lions could be in the market if they trade David Montgomery, and Robinson would be a good way to get younger (will turn 27 this year), but not necessarily cheaper. This year, Robinson forced a missed tackle every 9.2 rushing attempts, good for the sixth-best ratio in the NFL. He may be looking for a bigger opportunity than to feature behind Jahmyr Gibbs, but he certainly has experience in that role.

EDGE Yetur Gross-Matos (#94) – A big and physical edge that could probably even play inside, Gross-Matos hasn’t lived up to his second-round billing, but he’s been an impactful pass rusher since returning from injury this year. He has four pressures in his last three games and has earned a 75.7 pass rushing grade from PFF this season. He shouldn’t be considered a starter, but he would be a nice part of a pass rush rotation opposite Aidan Hutchinson.

Eagles free agents

TE Grant Calcaterra (#81) – The Eagles have three regularly-used tight ends facing free agency, most notably Dallas Goedert. I’d be surprised if Detroit splurges on him, so that leaves Calcaterra and Kylen Granson—two legitimate options that would improve Detroit’s pass blocking on the edge. I’m a little underwhelmed by both in terms of run block, which may make them non-starters in Detroit, but Calcaterra has more promise there.

EDGE Jaelan Phillips (#50) – Many were frustrated to see the Eagles add Phillips while the Lions sat on their hands at the trade deadline, but the Lions could add him for the longer term this free agency. Since joining the Eagles, Phillips has produced 41 pressures and 2.0 sacks in eight games, while remaining stout against the run. But if I had to guess, Phillips, 26, will be way outside of the Lions’ price range.

Chargers at Patriots — 8:15 p.m. ET — NBC

Chargers free agents

OT Trevor Penning (#64) – After suffering injuries at both tackle positions, the Chargers traded for Penning, and he’s filled in admirably for Los Angeles. The former first-round pick could certainly be labeled a bust from his 3.5 years in New Orleans, but with a fresh start in LA, he’s posted a decent 68.8 PFF run blocking grade in four starts, including an impressive 87.2 mark against a strong Broncos defense in Week 18… at right guard. This year alone, he’s been a starting left tackle, a jumbo tight end, and a fill-in at both guard positions. He’s a younger, more versatile Dan Skipper with a much higher ceiling.

S Tony Jefferson (#23) – A trustworthy veteran safety would be nice to help protect the Lions from injuries to Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. Jefferson certainly qualifies after beating father time this past season. Now, Jefferson has already retired once, so it’s unclear if the soon-to-be 34-year-old has any desire to play in 2026, but he’s been great this year. As the Chargers’ deep safety, he’s logged a career-high four interceptions and seven passes defended this season.

Patriots free agents

TE Austin Hooper (#81) – Hooper, 32, is at the tail-end of his career, which could make him a nice value buy in free agency. He’s coming off a career-low 263 receiving yards, but is still logging over 500 snaps a season as a decent pass blocker and capable run blocker. Coming off a one-year, $5 million contract, Hooper would be a good investment for Detroit to improve their thin and injured tight end room.

LB Jack Gibbens (#51) – Gibbens was a relative unknown heading into this season, but after reuniting with Mike Vrabel via free agency this year, he’s in the midst of a breakout. The 27-year-old linebacker has 81 tackles, four passes defended, and even took over some green-dot responsibilities this year. He’s also firmly in the “Dan Campbell guy” category. Here’s how SI’s Mike D’Abate described him:

“Much like Spillane, Vrabel continues to be impressed by Gibbens’ level of athleticism, along with his ability to lead by example with tenacity, high football IQ and a non-stop work ethic.“