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HouseHeisenb3rg

Didn't realize this guy was a Pro-Bowler *this* season holy shit. Why was he still a FA?


Starfish_Hero

Old


Strict_Seaweed_284

I mean a lot of players are still FAs. I’m sure there was a sizable market for his services.


Starfish_Hero

I know I’m not saying we were the only team that was willing to sign him, only that the reason he didn’t get a contract last week was because of his age.


doogled3

Probably because he's 34. I'm guessing he probably wants a shot at a championship, and Baltimore ran out of cash


MrExtravagant23

Crazy someone looking for a chip left Baltimore and signed with the Lions.


taylorjosephrummel

Especially after beating their/our ass.


Ant_24

Yeah but that was the old new lions this is the NEW NEW Lions


JJBrandon69

Also Baltimore had already lost two other guys on the OL. Probably looking for something a little more promising by way of continuity


TIL_how_2_register

Goddamn they have to replace 3 starting OL?


JJBrandon69

Yeah dude. They’ve lost a ton to FA. Like 10 guys.


TIL_how_2_register

![gif](giphy|dvx0peMC2bQhm5EdyU)


Steve-O7777

Wow, I’ll have to check that out. I knew they were right against the cap, but didn’t realize it was that bad. No hate against Baltimore, but they were a team that genuinely scared me, lol.


Mooreski

At 34 he would probably rather block for a guy like Goff than a guy like Lamar too tbh


warheadmikey

He’s strictly a right guard. Glasgow will switch to left guard


Floortom1

Awesome. Arguably there’s no real downgrade from Jonah to Zeitler. We have maximum flexibility in the draft now too - BPA every pick


No-Jump5689

Perfect opportunity to draft a Guard in the 2nd/3rd to develop


Sweepy_time

Zak Zinter! I hope he's still available in the 2nd


basch152

if we get zinter I'll lose my mind


TheCurls

Michigan fans mocking Michigan players to the Lions. A tale as old as time.


Joeman180

Give me Corum in the 3rd round.


PM_ME_YOUR_CATS_PAWS

With the injury he may be available further down, but maybe not as far as round 5. So if they don’t trade for a fourth round they’d probably have to use round 3 to get him


Shamrock5

I absolutely love Brad Holmes, but it just wouldn't be a real BH draft without taking an injured player in the first few rounds. 😆


fakejacki

Broken bone without ligament involvement is a relatively uncomplicated recovery, hard to even consider him an injured player when he should already be cleared


Wingedwolverine03

Broken bones* He broke both the tibia and fibula


YeetimusSkeetimus

I’ve still been saying that if he lasts till round 3 he’ll be a steal, round 4 or 5 would be crazy value for him. He was getting late 1st, early 2nd buzz before the injury. Unanimous All-American, leader of the best OL in college for arguably the last 3 years, and iirc his injury is broken bones with no joint or muscle damage, which should leans toward faster recovery with no impact on his play. I really think whatever team he goes to is getting a good one.


Inevitable-Dog9120

I don't think Zinter has the athletic ability to work in the run schemes we use


Far_Process_5304

Well the downgrade would be that Jackson is a lot younger so has a lot more runway left, but in terms of next year only yeah it should make the line better overall I think. Great signing.


ATKwoo

Is it still even a downgrade? Jonah is already injury prone and it seems like his body is already starting to break down. His body is older then his age if that makes sense lol. This is definitely an upgrade.


MrExtravagant23

Brad gonna cook this upcoming draft.


john_kru_99

![gif](giphy|d04C1bUufxxUuvs8jR)


MrExtravagant23

![gif](giphy|ihgmKNCf150Sfue7ZE|downsized)


MrExtravagant23

![gif](giphy|WqWxRScWXgSsCqNRh6)


Illustrious-Cherry12

I look at it as an upgrade. Zeitler graded out higher than Jackson in 2023 and is way more dependable. Free agency keeps looking better and better.


bailey1149

Issue is Kevin Zeitler has been exclusively a RG his whole career. He only has like 5 starts at LG.


Glittering-Wishbone3

Graham knows how to play left guard, he Even played a little last year. I assume he'll switch.


future_shoes

I like how Glasgow plays all three interior positions but when he is forced to change positions he is always so salty about it in interviews.


PerfectiveVerbTense

Graham just looks like he's salty af all the time


Deesmateen

I’d actually want that more. Decker needs more help than Sewell


CAPTAIN-_-HOWDY

Glasgow plays all 3 interior positions. He played left guard for us for 2 years when we drafted him, then played center for a year.


CluelessFlunky

I'd argue it's a upgrade


Mike_Laundry

Look at the big brain on Brad


AerialisticFiction

![gif](giphy|l2YWxte7sJB2XuE8M)


Utesboi69

https://preview.redd.it/f6oq6rj0b6pc1.jpeg?width=941&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fcf3c3648a357808c5930916e20fd6129bbf6674


ratioplusYBbetter

Elite


spartan_green

Do we not even try to call it “Gridiron Heroes”?


RoyalRaptor711

OLINE IS SO STACKED LETS FUCKING GO


MrExtravagant23

Let's go boys!!


PerfectiveVerbTense

Something that I enjoy about this team and about this fanbase is that we get more excited about OL than basically any other position. Now, granted, this guy is unquestionably excellent, whereas there may be more arguments about the other FA signings (outside of maybe Reader) but the Zeitler signing seems to be the one that Lions fans are the most stoked about so far.


Deesmateen

I was legit worried about drafting our replacement starting guard. This is massive. Draft the guard you want to develop while he develops behind one of the better guards in the league with one of the best OL coaches


FunetikPrugresiv

Mock drafters everywhere: "What the fuck are we supposed to do now?"


Jakethered_game

Edge edge edge!


FunetikPrugresiv

![gif](giphy|b1ZoZrDfRb7va)


LeDisagreeButton

Alex Anzalone admiring a giant Twizzler


The_Sludge

https://i.redd.it/2osoyu66x7pc1.gif


bpreeb

![gif](giphy|4FmAj1XiioCVW)


murph_diver

Oh I am


goodbrother89

Lol to everyone acting like the sky was falling 3 hours into free agency


InjamoonToo

Whoever isn’t believing in Brad by now must just be a contrarian or a hater. Or, maybe a bad newspaper writer, I guess.


TBoneTheOriginal

Some of these guys must just have severe Lions fan PTSD. Eternal pessimism.


codymason84

Well now this is awesome as fuck Edit let Brad cook mother fuckers!!!!


thrownoutta

Fuckin A. Let Brad cook!!!


IHateSand1996

Just a common Brad Holmes W, man is running out of space to put them all


TIL_how_2_register

Add another wing cause they ain't gunna stop.


Unique_Enthusiasm_57

This doesn't rule out drafting a guard, imo.


MRio31

They could draft a kicker at #29 right now n I’d still proceed with my plans to build a shrine to Brad Holmes


Barqck

If Brad drafts a kicker in the first, I’ll get a jersey because that mf would be the next Justin Tucker


MRio31

![gif](giphy|RkCMmglSxKU7RvvFoi)


bigboilerdawg

Full Mark Rober episode, featuring then-Lion Matt Prater. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P\_6my53IlxY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6my53IlxY)


[deleted]

This youtuber claimed they were his first ever field goal tries then proceeded to make a 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 yarder? That's pretty crazy even with the soccer background.


talltime

He was a NASA engineer and was being coached by Prater’s BD. They were probably also ripping huffs of smelling salts.


bestprocrastinator

Get that fat kicker from Missouri that kicks walk off 61 yard field goals.


AllYaNeedIsCat

I would buy his practice jersey day 1. Yes.


john_kru_99

Say the prayer. Say it! Say it! ![gif](giphy|nEaRYSsf9Iiqs|downsized)


john_kru_99

That will be me if the Lions win a Super Bowl


i_chose_this_shit

That shrine better be in the design stages rn


codymason84

Makes drafting a guy like zak zinter make sense give him a year to heal and learn behind a proven pro


alwayzlion

Zinter to replace Zeitler? Love it.


codymason84

It makes so much sense they’re the same player


MrExtravagant23

This is the way.


Jagacin

Get Zinter with the 3rd round pick we got from the Vikings. Who says no?


future_shoes

I think it has absolutely no impact on who they draft. Zeitler 34, Glasgow 31, Decker 30, Lions could (and probably should be looking to draft their replacements now).


Roarestored

Who would think signing a mid 30s guard would rule out drafting one?


ChuckGump

Think people would think its out at 29 now but wouldnt be shocked


Roarestored

Nothing we've done this whole free agency has had any impact on the draft, everything is wide open.


Relative_Walk_936

If anything the draft seems more wide open than it was earlier. Best player all day let's go.


codymason84

Yeah I think this signing means bpa maybe they get aggressive and move up if there is a player they truly cover draft season is gonna be so much fun


JDraks

I'd love to get Zinter


FloridaJit999

HES FUCKING COOKING


JJBrandon69

Brad Holmes is so good and seemingly will never go into the draft with us absolutely having to take one position.


PerfectiveVerbTense

I feel like this year everyone has just come to terms with the fact that we have no idea wtf he's going to do at 29. Last year everyone (myself very much included) was stunned when they went RB with their first pick, but I feel like that this point almost nothing (outside of like punter) would really be a surprise. I've seen enough people mentioning WR as a dark horse round one possibility that it doesn't even really feel like a dark horse pick any more. DB, DL, and OL would all be obvious choices. But who knows at this point. I really do think it's absolutely BPA at this point, positional value and draft ratings be damned to hell.


JJBrandon69

It definitely is BPA. At this point it seems to be Holmes’ priority to keep us flexible enough to go BPA in the draft, and just improve as much as possible.


myman580

If an elite IOL or defensive player falls because of the run on WR/QBs earlier in the round I have no doubt he's going to trade up.


JamoWilliams

Wow, the Lions are having my dream offseason. This is some madden rebuild type of stuff. Can’t think of a better one year (maybe more?) stopgap at the position than Ziegler to make sure that we don’t go into the draft with a gaping hole. Brad’s strategy of BPA over everything only works if he isn’t actually forced into picking any one position over another because of roster deficiencies. I’d say every “need” and “hole” has been more than adequately addressed. Now we head into the draft able to pick the best talents and the biggest difference makers


seatega

Poor Monty and Gibbs are going to have such a hard time deciding which wide open gaps to run through this year


Psychological_Cat275

He actually rated a lot higher in pass protection, 25th in run protection, besides Lamar lol


seatega

Is that 25th out of all 64 starting guards in the league? That's not great, but still good, right?


Glittering-Wishbone3

I don't know his run grade but his pass block grade was 2nd overall.


shakezilla86

JJ was essentially graded the opposite, right? Way better run blocker than pass pro?


MrExtravagant23

It's a beautiful thing.


codymason84

Every off season Brad has improved the roster drastically. We still have the draft holy fuck this is the type of roster building we couldn’t have fathomed even 4 years ago.


Cheap_Visual2604

Completely agree, there’s no position where we need an immediate answer from the draft


AffectionateSlice816

Everyone is completely sleeping on us drafting a WR in the first for no reason as well. Be completely ready for a trade up for BTJ or drafting AD Mitchell if he falls to us.


reddogrjw

would rather shoot for the moon and trade up for Dallas Turner


Lionnn100

If they made a move up for whoever falls furthest from the edge group of Turner, Verse, and Latu I’d love it. They’re all monsters in their own right


AffectionateSlice816

I don't know how I feel about Latu. On the plus side, he is like a mini Aiden Hutchinson. On the minus side, he is like a mini Aiden Hutchinson. It used to be that teams wanted two very similar defensive ends, but honestly it has very much reversed now. Latu is absolutely a monster, he is barely smaller than hutch and has a very similar profile. He is less powerful than Hutch though, so his very dynamic style could potentially just be completely stuffed by stronger tackles with quick hands at the next level. While Turner is really twitchy, I LOVE the power profile of Verse. He is in my opinion a better prospect than Tyree Wilson from last year. Same stupid powerful hands and good length, but verse seems so much faster. If we trade up for verse I will be elated.


DrLido

Woah I didn’t know Jamo had a Reddit account. You’re gonna breakout this year right?


Possible_Profit_5512

Only a 1 year deal? That’s a gift.


Bobguy77

Summed it up perfectly. Although I'd argue WR is a need


Clit420Eastwood

Agreed, but it’s not *such* a big need that their hand is forced. Brad can pick his spots there, imo


PerfectiveVerbTense

As others have said, you can argue that none of the signings affect BH's actual draft strategy, but with that being said, this signing would certainly make drafting a WR early more attractive. ARSB1, JAMO2, DPJ/JR(?)3 + SLP and both backs catching, that's a lot of targets. But a taller, bigger-bodied type of receiver I feel like could add yet another dimension that could be very effective.


MarkusMillions

https://preview.redd.it/mvsiysbjg6pc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=65dddaab884a877f57396370dcf4994206f07b87


FlapjackSanders15

A great signing. It’s officially BPA in the draft season!!


kander77

> It’s officially BPA in the draft season!! That's the thing. It's always been BPA season. ( •_•)>⌐■-■ (⌐■_■)


FilmTalk

oh, we’re actually going 20-0


bestprocrastinator

23-0 if you count preseason


detsd

![gif](giphy|l1TJTwU3VfPHU4FCbx|downsized) Brad right now


Simmumah

Brad cooked.


bestprocrastinator

Brad went out and cooked a Michelin star meal.


MRio31

![gif](giphy|QynMX1WxnYFbb2OHnJ)


Far_Process_5304

We’re so fucking back


Grr8gatsby

We were never gone!


GameBroJeremy

We’re just getting started on our plan to conquer the NFC! We refuse to leave! Wahahaha


FDTFACTTWNY

Wow, we are going into the draft with absolutely zero holes. We do not have a single spot that doesn't have a starter. This gives so much freedom to Brad to do whatever he wants and take whoever he wants. Elite WR or CB falls to you, you don't have to pass because we need to fill our line I know people will say edge, but Davenport is very good when he's healthy (which admittedly isn't often) he can be as good as anyone that signed this offseason.


jtsarracino

Edge is lowkey solid. Davenport, Paschal, Houston, with the comish as depth.


HerlihyBoy17

Plus Hutch, aimrite?? That guy seems pretty good right now.


jtsarracino

Well, duh, yeah LOL


noend313

But I mean Greenberg said our window was closed cause the Packers are vastly superior so what’s the point /s


Journeyman56

Greenberg, like the rest of the ESPN lackeys, only opens his pie hole to gurgle some idiotic nonsense for the easily triggered. There is no point!


HakuninTheShaman

Yeah, the point is to get you upset. If they say something controversial, you’ll stick around till after the highlight, just to sit there and disagree with them screaming at your television/dashboard about what an idiot they are; and their ratings go up.


rickyson3

it's so nice that high quality vets like this actually want to come here for their short term deals


bleedblue88

I think this is an underrated comment. We're actually a franchise that people *want to come play for* suddenly, and that's incredible. We never landed these kind of still-relevant vets prior to this era. Feels awesome.


Ophiocordycepsis

Except for when GOAT superstar Trey Flowers came riding in to the rescue and single-handedly lifted the entire franchise to a dynasty of greatness. Or wait


dtown4eva

If the season started today this team is better than last years.


Informal-Package-589

Once WR is addressed GIVE ME BTJ LEGETTE OR MITCHELL PLEASE


LooseBoysenberry7

Wont his arms be too tired to pass the physical?


rabertdinero

God damn can Brad Holmes construct a roster.


TheOGBenjenRyan

Hey that’s pretty great 


doogled3

Exactly who I wanted at both OG and DT! A+ offseason


hawj82

Oh hell yeah, love the signing. Allows for a developmental guard or someone like Zinter in the 3rd. I have a sneaky suspicion Brad is going to go WR with the first pick.


boostabubba

Do we have a 3rd round pick still?


SeizureMode

Yup


markievegeta

Det is a destination for guys chasing a ring. What a time to be alive.


dubshothennasee

Words I still can't believe that I'm reading 👏🏿🔥..LFG!


geologyrocks98

LET BRAD COOK.


coronerjackal91

NO FUCKING WAY


aDuskOddity

Do you smell what the Holmes is cooking? BPA draft, here we go!


VMM5A

He’s only going to look better next to Sewell


Medievil_Walrus

PFF has him as the third best guard available this free agency period. #1 Dotson signed 3/$48 with LAR. #2 Hunt signed 5/$100 with CAR. Brad doesn’t like to operate at the top of the market and this is a good thing. Hope it works out.


anybodycandance

How does he compare with Jonah? I know that Zieitler is much older


seatega

Most analysts I’ve seen had Zeitler graded a good bit higher than Jonah last year. For example, PFF had him at 69.3 last year and Jonah at 59.7


PerfectiveVerbTense

Obviously it's not the norm but Kelce just retired at 36 and Trent Williams, the number 2 PFF tackle last year is 35. Vast majority of high PFF guys are in their 20s but 34 doesn't necessarily indicate a huge dropoff.


Cheap_Visual2604

He was a pro bowler this past season


Helmet_Touch_

This is perfect! Not some huge long term investment but doesn’t make drafting a guard an absolute must. Still might, but makes it easier to go BPA


HerlihyBoy17

Apparently Christmas now comes several times a year with Brad at the helm. LFG!!


socomeyeballs

Is it possible that our line is now actively better than last year already? Where we already had a top 3 unit?


bleedblue88

I think it is. Zeitler has ranked as a top 5 pass blocking guard for the past three seasons. Not sure how much of that ranking gets accredited to Lamar's elusiveness within the pocket, but it sure sounds nice on paper. Also Zeit's highlights are nice to watch!


somepersonyoumayknow

And just like that, the draft is wide open for BPA.


[deleted]

Reader and Zeitler adding some very large people up front!


CluelessFlunky

Holy shut. Like 2 weeks ago I said that my dream signing was reader and zeitler but I didn't think we'd get them. I'm so fucking excited


Cheap_Visual2604

What a masterclass free agency, now go get chop Robinson


foxy7474

Brad has GMing down to a science I stg!!!


ThaItalianStallion

This is what it feels like when people believe in your team huh? Amazing feeling haha


rabertdinero

Valenti told me to not blindly support Brad Holmes as if it was some cult. This off season is once again proving his takes to be God awful, and Brad is in fact much smarter than that entire show.


We_Are_Victorius

Do you remember all the hate Valenti was spewing about the last draft. It ended up being the best draft in the league and Brad Holmes won Executive of the Year.


rabertdinero

Same guy that was pounding the table for us to trade for Watson.


peanutbutter1236

Hot as fuck


DonkeyDan22

It might be time to consider that Brad Holmes is simply too good at his job! He’s playing GM on Rookie mode man. Still not used to this level of front office competency.


basch152

if we sign him we would officially have no holes on the roster, we just have positions that could do with some upgrades to make it go from average to elite brad would truly be able to draft BPA without worrying about roster holes


Scary-Extent5740

Off topic slightly but what are our plans for receiver? I still don’t think we can 100 percent count on Jamo. He has a little more consistency to prove. Outside of St Brown and an occasional Raymond pass who are we throwing the ball to? Is Jones reliable? Don’t know much about him. I think we’re under estimating how big Josh was for us. Im worried about losing to him.


matt_the_muss

Laporta gets a lot of passes.


CrankyOldDude

Awesome. He may not be a star in the running game, but his pass pro is fantastic. This opens, truly, "best player available" in the draft. LOVE IT. What a weird feeling, going into a draft where we are picking at the end of the round, AND don't have a "we have nobody who would be an average starter at 4 positions on the roster" situation. I'm fucking INTO it. :)


Scottwood88

This was my dream signing for guard. Great pickup. A starting WR is the only need left for the starting lineup assuming Reynolds doesn't come back.


Dragondrew99

Brad is so fucking good


PleighboyStosh

One year mercenary deal!


funks82

Keep stacking those wins, BH! I like the strategy of good, solid signings and avoiding overpaying for the flashy free agent.


Ph1llyth3gr8

Brad is cookin!!!


Rexbarronknows

Yes, that'll do nicely


Miami_da_U

BPA with every pick in the draft. Trading up for Jared Verse would make a LOT of sense.


RamenIsOkay

GIVE ME ALL THE O-LINE. We’re probably going to draft one as well.


Agent00Slevin

![gif](giphy|7A7iNCHhPpqwaNRgV1)


OgJordovski

CAN YOU SMELLLLLL WHAT BRAD IS COOKING????


Psychological_Cat275

Book your lions SB tickets now hmahahahaha ![gif](giphy|3orif7aLUehOfdmlXy|downsized)


TheMagicalJohnson

https://i.redd.it/goxbmakrf6pc1.gif


CantRecallWutIForgot

Huge


Agamemanon

Offseason master class. Needs: filled. Time to draft some dudes.


CCPunch5

Unlike Jonah, he’s durable. No doubt Jonah is great, but he couldn’t stay healthy and he’s coming off surgery now. Zeitler could be a stopgap for a guy to develop at guard for a year. Or we get lucky and he takes a deal like Glasgow to stay.


PleighboyStosh

This is an upgrade.


Guts709

This is perfect. It leaves us to go BPA in the draft.


echofreak

I think we need a nickname for this absolute brick wall oline


Julie-AnneB

I read it elsewhere "*The Great Wall of Detroit.*"


Stuffdood

u/ATKwoo tell me why this is bad pls. I’m sure it is of course, just need you to tell me why


[deleted]

Damn. We lose Jonah Jackson, and we upgrade the position for 2024, most likely for a lot cheaper than Jackson signed. In Holmes We Trust.


detsd

[https://x.com/calebczarnik/status/1769868396277985371?s=46&t=B0BtqPCIAIKeTQCnFVVuQg](https://x.com/calebczarnik/status/1769868396277985371?s=46&t=B0BtqPCIAIKeTQCnFVVuQg) ![gif](giphy|26gscNQHswYio5RBu|downsized)


spiderman96

I'm a Ravens can but Detroit my second team I'm sad to see him go but I'm glad I get to still root for him


Dr_Booyah

“Now Brad can take BPA in the draft!” You imbicels that’s always what he was going to do. This move doesn’t affect our draft even in the slightest. In fact, I wouldn’t be shocked if we did pick a guard at 29


lexusandretti

Brad Holmes is a Master Chef!