Lions' Top 2021 Offseason Free-Agent Signings

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes had his fair share of swings-and-misses this past offseason when it came to his free-agent signings. 

Most notably, his two major free-agent acquisitions at wide receiver -- Breshad Perriman and Tyrell Williams -- combined to play just one regular season game in the Motor City this season. 

Perriman, in fact, failed to make the Lions' 53-man active roster out of training camp. 

Just bringing up the misfires by Holmes in free agency would be unfair to him, however, as he also made a number of shrewd moves that have paid dividends for the organization. 

Most notably, the first-year Detroit GM inked EDGE defender Charles Harris to a one-year deal. 

Harris has made the most of his opportunity with the Lions, as he's produced a team-high 7.5 sacks. 

Let's take a look now at the five best free-agent additions made by Holmes over the offseason. 

5.) S Dean Marlowe 

Marlowe hasn't been the biggest contributor to the Lions in 2021, and failed to garner a significant number of reps to start the season. In fact, he didn't play in more than 76 percent of the team's defensive snaps until logging 100 percent of them in Week 12 against the Chicago Bears. 

Since then, though, the 29-year-old hasn't played in fewer than 93 percent of Detroit's defensive snaps. During that span (four total games), he's also been a tackling machine, producing a combined 29 tackles (7.25 tackles per game).  

And so, the James Madison University product finds his way onto this list of Holmes' best free-agent acquisitions from the past offseason at No. 5. 

4.) WR Kalif Raymond 

The 27-year-old has been a decent low-end pickup for the Lions this season. 

Through 14 games (13 starts), he's hauled in a career-high 41 balls, and has averaged a respectable 11.3 yards per reception. He's also posted a career-best 463 receiving yards and three touchdowns. 

Additionally, the 5-foot-8, 182-pound speedster has contributed in the punt return game. He's fielded 20 punts, and has returned them for 217 yards, good for an average of 10.85 yards (the fourth-best average in the NFL in 2021). 

Just like he has been this year, Raymond, who inked a one-year deal with Detroit this past offseason, could be a solid depth piece for Holmes & Co. in 2022. 

3.) LB Alex Anzalone  

The 27-year-old, now on season-ending injured reserve with a shoulder injury, was the anchor of Detroit's linebackers corps in 2021. 

He patrolled the middle of the field for the young unit, and along the way, amassed a career-high 78 total tackles and seven passes defensed in 14 games.