Several noteworthy NFL veterans remain unsigned, and at least a few could interest the Lions -- who currently have the fifth most space in the league. Karsch and Anderson break down which free agents would best fit in Detroit.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB
Karsch: "He’s clearly the best veteran quarterback out there. He would be a great fit in Detroit, which would probably mean the end of Nate Sudfeld in Detroit, which I don’t know that anybody would protest. He played last year, he’s won in this league. It feels like he's holding out for a team where he could actually start."
Gator: "I don’t know if he’s the perfect fit, but he’s the guy that would make us breathe a lot easier. If Goff gets hurt, this is why you need to have that guy, the capable backup. This is a guy who may not even play a snap if he’s added to the Lions roster, but we’re also saying he’s the best fit."
DeAndre Hopkins, WR
Gator: "He makes all the sense in the world. Nobody is saying he’s coming to Detroit, but everyone is saying he’s the right fit. National writers all over the place saying, 'Best fit for DeAndre Hopkins, Detroit Lions.' Because it does make sense: they have the cap space, they have the need, put it together and there it is."
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Other free agents that may interest the Lions: defensive ends Yannick Ngakoue, Frank Clark and Jadeveon Clowney. Gator says Ngakoue "is the one that makes more sense to me." The 28-year-old has 19.5 sacks over the past two seasons, tied with Robert Quinn for 14th in the NFL. He could give the Lions' pass rush an immediate boost opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
Karsch also brings up linebackers Justin Houston and Leonard Floyd, the latter of whom has 18.5 sacks the past two seasons. While Gator says he has "a little bit of interest" in Floyd, the question is, "Where do you play him? Can he take the place of another linebacker on this team? Does it make sense where he would fit?
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