The Detroit Lions are on the verge of finishing offseason workouts and beginning preparations for training camp.
Coach Dan Campbell and his staff will wrap up organized team activities this week, then the team will reconvene for training camp in late summer. Until then, though, the Lions could make additions.
Campbell stated Thursday that the organization would be looking primarily for depth. One potential answer to this will be players from the UFL, who will be available to negotiate and sign with NFL teams beginning on June 16.
Here are eight players the Lions could target when the UFL season comes to a close:
Michigan Panthers DL Breeland Speaks
Speaks emerged as one of the best pass-rushers in the entire league this year, notching league-best totals in sacks with 9.5 and tackles for loss with 13. Detroit needs better production from its pass-rush in 2024, so taking a chance on the most productive player from the UFL could ignite competition.
The defender was a second-round pick of the Chiefs in 2018 but struggled to hold his landing spot in the league. After proving he can produce at the UFL level, he will likely have several suitors. The Lions have already taken a chance on the CFL’s top defender from a year ago, so adding Speaks would add a new layer to the competition.
Birmingham Stallions QB Adrian Martinez
The Lions are going to give Hendon Hooker every opportunity to win the backup job behind Jared Goff. However, the Tennessee product has shown through the spring that he still has room to grow.
If Detroit wants to add another arm to the mix, Martinez makes perfect sense. The Lions value players familiar with their scheme, and Martinez was with the organization through camp last year.
It helps the former Nebraska and Kansas State quarterback’s case that he is the front-runner to be the league’s MVP. He’s clearly developed since his time in Detroit and could make for good competition with Hooker and Nate Sudfeld through camp.
Birmingham Stallions QB Adrian Martinez
The Lions are going to give Hendon Hooker every opportunity to win the backup job behind Jared Goff. However, the Tennessee product has shown through the spring that he still has room to grow.
If Detroit wants to add another arm to the mix, Martinez makes perfect sense. The Lions value players familiar with their scheme, and Martinez was with the organization through camp last year.
It helps the former Nebraska and Kansas State quarterback’s case that he is the front-runner to be the league’s MVP. He’s clearly developed since his time in Detroit and could make for good competition with Hooker and Nate Sudfeld through camp.
