With the Detroit Lions’ season ending prematurely, they now face the task of evaluating expiring player contracts. Pro Football Focus (PFF) highlights three players they should prioritize keeping.
Carlton Davis III, Cornerback
Carlton Davis III ranked among the top 25 most valuable free agents. A former second-round pick, Davis joined the Lions in the offseason after spending time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his first season with Detroit, Davis recorded 56 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 2 interceptions in just 13 games, as he missed time due to a fractured jaw sustained during a game against the Buffalo Bills.
Kevin Zeitler, Offensive Guard
Kevin Zeitler, ranked six spots below Davis III, is an appealing free agent. The veteran guard and former first-round pick had one of his best seasons with Detroit, finishing with a pass-block rate of 78.8% and a run-block rate of 87.2%. Though Zeitler is approaching the end of his career, he still provides considerable value to any team.
Levi Onwuzirke, Defensive Tackle
Levi Onwuzirke, ranked 40th on PFF’s list of most valuable free agents, has shown promise but struggled with injuries throughout his four seasons in Detroit. During the 2024 season, Onwuzirke posted 16 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. If he can stay healthy and have a breakout season, Onwuzirke could become an important contributor for any team.
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Could Hendon Hooker Join Ben Johnson if Lions Coach Is Hired by AFC Team?
DETROIT – The Detroit Lions have been fortunate to retain offensive coordinator Ben Johnson over the past few years, especially considering he’s been one of the most sought-after head coach candidates in the NFL. However, that streak is expected to end in 2025, with Johnson likely to be hired as a head coach this offseason. His three potential destinations are the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, and Las Vegas Raiders.
While both the Jaguars and Bears already have their quarterback situation settled, the Raiders find themselves without a clear starter at the position. This has led some to speculate that the Raiders might look to trade for Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker if they bring Johnson on board.
Hondo Carpenter, an insider for the Raiders, raised this possibility on the Las Vegas Raiders Insider Podcast, saying:
“Ben Johnson is clearly the [Raiders’] No. 1 target. So what would you trade for a Hendon Hooker?” Carpenter continued, “He’s got a couple years’ experience in the Ben Johnson system, so he comes in… and competes, and you could still go draft a guy. You still have Aidan O’Connell there, so he instantly competes.”
This makes a lot of sense for Las Vegas, as adding Hooker could provide much-needed depth and competition at quarterback. Carpenter noted that, at the very least, Hooker would challenge O’Connell and any rookie the Raiders may select in the 2025 NFL Draft. Las Vegas also has Gardner Minshew under contract for 2025, though cutting him would come with minimal penalty.
Drafted in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Hooker has yet to see significant action in regular-season play due to the presence of veteran quarterback Jared Goff. With Goff signed through 2028, Hooker’s path to a starting role in Detroit seems unlikely unless injury strikes. Given his limited opportunities with the Lions, Hooker could very well be open to a trade, especially with two years remaining on his rookie deal.
In a surprising turn, Johnson initially wasn’t planning to interview with the Raiders. However, after Las Vegas minority owner Tom Brady reached out to him through back channels, Johnson agreed to take the meeting. Since then, momentum has been building for Johnson to take over as head coach in Las Vegas, making it a very real possibility. If the Raiders do hire him, we could very well see them pursue a trade for Hooker as part of their quarterback solution.
