Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images The Detroit Lions have some big names heading to free agency, as well as many depth pieces. Which unrestricted free agents should the Lions bring back for 2025? The Detroit Lions have to restock and reload this offseason if they want to match their incredible regular season and surpass their disappointing postseason. Under general manager Brad Holmes, the Lions have been a team centered around building through the draft and low-cost free agent acquisitions. Not only do the Lions have a few starters entering free agency in 2025, but they also have some draft picks from Holmes’ initial draft class all the way back in 2021—it will be interesting to see how much their value is to not only the Lions but other teams in the league as well. Entering the offseason, the Lions had 22 pending unrestricted free agents. That number shrunk to 21 when offensive lineman Netane Muti signed a new deal last week. Of the remaining names on that list, which ones seem primed for a reunion in Detroit, and which ones could head elsewhere in free agency? Today’s Question of the Day is: Which unrestricted free agents should the Detroit Lions re-sign? My answer: I’m going to break it down into three categories: likely to return, unlikely to return, and toss-up. Likely to return: WR Tim Patrick: The Lions let Josh Reynolds leave in 2024 and they spent the entire offseason failing to get a replacement. They should not let their WR3 walk away in free agency again. They should look to add a receiver in the draft, but there is no harm in having Patrick back in the fold. OT Dan Skipper: Skipper is a low-cost veteran with plenty of familiarity—an easy re-signing option, even if they manage to upgrade their tackle depth in free agency or the draft. Ideally, Giovanni Manu or Colby Sorsdal will take his spot before long, but they should battle it out in training camp first. DE Al-Quadin Muhammad: One of the few midseason emergency signings along the defensive line that panned out. He probably will not garner a significant contract in free agent, should be a good depth option. DL Pat O’Connor: Similar to Muhammad, O’Connor was leaned on down the stretch and had some positive moments. He is a low-risk re-signing. LB Derrick Barnes: He was a starting linebacker before his knee injury. The coaches love him, and the injury probably lowers his interest outside of Detroit. CB Khalil Dorsey: Another player with a season-ending injury. Dorsey looked good in limited defensive snaps, but his main talent is special teams. There is little reason not to bring him back. Toss-up: QB Teddy Bridgewater: It all depends on whether he retires or not. If he wants to play, he likely stays in Detroit. OG Kevin Zeitler: It all depends on age versus cost. In a perfect world, Zeitler returns to Detroit, but the Lions might not want to overspend on a guard nearing the end of his career. DL Levi Onwuzurike: Onwuzurike finally had a breakout season after three injury-filled years. In free agency, will teams pay him for his 2024 production or his 2021-2023 injury history? The Lions know him better than anyone, and he might get outpriced from Detroit. DL Jonah Williams: Williams is a bottom-of-the-roster type of player. The only reason to bring him back is as cheap depth, which could be a good enough reason for Detroit. DL John Cominsky: The Lions will likely bring back at least one of Cominsky, O’Connor, and Williams. Cominsky has not played since 2023 and has not played well since 2022. I think the other two players are more likely to return, but the coaching staff knows him better than anyone. DT Kyle Peko: Peko was signed as nose tackle depth/insurance, but wound up seeing some sizable snap counts for Detroit early on. Cost-wise, it makes sense to bring him back, but the Lions might prefer younger options to complement DJ Reader and Brodric Martin. LB Ben Niemann: Niemann should not be a starter on defense, but he has been an asset on special teams. LB Ezekiel Turner: Turner should not be a starter on defense, but he has been an asset on special teams. CB Carlton Davis: Arguably the most important free agent for the Lions, the question is how much the Lions (or another team) would be willing to spend. Davis has battled the injury bug for his entire career and has never played a full season. He is a talented cornerback, but is he a break-the-bank type of cornerback? CB Kindle Vildor: Vildor caught a lot of flak in 2023 and for good reason, but he was actually serviceable in 2024 when called upon. He should never be higher on the depth chart than CB4 or CB5, but you can do far worse for a depth cornerback. DB Ifeatu Melifonwu: Similar to Onwuzurike, Melifonwu has struggled with injuries his entire career. The only healthy year of his career was 2023, and he did not become a starter until late in the season. He will likely be a solid buy-low option, but the Lions might opt for some more dependability. Unlikely to return: WR Allen Robinson: Robinson hardly played in 2024, recording just three catches on the year and playing zero special teams snaps. Entering his age-32 season, there is little reason for the Lions to bring him back. DE Marcus Davenport: The Lions took a gamble on an injury-prone player, and he suffered an injury just two games into the season. He could be re-signed for fairly cheap given his history, but I would be surprised to see the Lions try again with him. CB Emmanuel Moseley: It is time to close the book on Moseley. He tore his ACL in his first game in 2023, then only managed to play two games in 2024 due to a torn pectoral and a non-football illness. Sadly, he cannot be counted on going forward. K Michael Badgley: With Jake Bates secure as the kicker going forward, there is no point in bringing back Badgley, even as a camp body. The Lions have some tough decisions to make this offseason with their pending free agents. Not only do they have some starters ready to test free agency, but their depth could also undergo some reshuffling.