The 2025-26 NFL playoffs kick off on Saturday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. ET with the Los Angeles Rams traveling east to face the Carolina Panthers. For some Detroit Lions, it may be too hard to watch, as the Lions failed
to meet expectations and won’t be in the postseason. But if you’re already in offseason mode, I’ve picked eight pending free agents from the two teams combined that could interest the Lions when free agency opens up in mid-March.
Rams at Panthers — 4:30 p.m. ET —FOX
Rams players:
- TE Tyler Higbee (#89) – The Lions are in a precarious position at tight end, with only Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, and Zach Horton under contract in 2026—and all three are on the final years of their deal. Higbee is a veteran, but he’s still playing at a high level, and he’s part of the Rams’ dangerous 13 personnel looks that thrive both in the run and pass game.
- OT D.J. Humphries (#72) – Neither of the Rams’ starting offensive tackles are free agents, but if Detroit is looking for depth to replace Dan Skipper—who is clearly pondering retirement—Humphries, 32, offers starter-level play with 101 career starts to his name. But his best days are clearly behind him, and he’s only appeared in 10 games over the last two seasons.
- CB Cobie Durant (#14) — A 2022 fourth-round pick, Durant could be an option if the Lions move on from Amik Robertson. He’s not as good as Robertson, but he brings the same inside/outside versatility and is similarly small-but-scrappy (5-foot-11, 180). This year, he’s played mostly on the outside, has tallied three interceptions and seven passes defended.
- S Kam Curl (#3) – A strong-safety type that plays just as much in the box and slot as he does the deep safety, Curl would be strong Brian Branch insurance while the Lions safety recovers from a torn Achilles. Curl is a very strong run defender, earning PFF’s sixth-highest run defense grade among safeties this year (84.6).
Note: Rams RT Rob Havenstein is another player to watch, but he is currently working his way back from IR and won’t play Saturday. The 33-year-old has had an injury-filled career, but could be a stopgap for the Lions should Taylor Decker retire.
Panthers players
- RB Rico Dowdle (#5) – I am in no way advocating for trading away David Montgomery, but it appears the Lions are at least considering it. Dowdle would probably be the best potential replacement available in free agency, but also the most costly (Spotrac estimates $6.5 million/year). Dowdle has been a bowling ball of a rushing attack this year, forcing 14 broken tackles this year (17th).
- C Cade Mays (#64) – Center will be high on the Lions’ priority list, and Mays could be the right combination of youth (26) and experience (27 starts). He wasn’t the starting center entering the year, but due to injuries, he’s made 12 starts there this year. He’s also played some of both guard positions as a Panther, but has never been considered a full-time starter. Still, for a sixth-round pick, he’s carved out a nice career and could be a cheaper-end free agent (he signed a one-year, $3.4 million deal last offseason) with plenty of room to grow and compete for a starting job.
- C/G Austin Corbett (#63) – If the Lions are looking for a more veteran option at center, Corbett was the starting center for the Panthers before they opted to play him at both guard positions when he returned from an early IR stint. Corbett may not be in the starting lineup Saturday with right guard Robert Hunt returning from IR this week, but he’s got plenty of experience (78 starts), versatility at every interior position, and has even played with Jared Goff during his Rams stint (2019-21). He also has a strong character, as evidenced by his selection as the Panthers’ Walter Payton Man of the Year candidate in 2025. Detroit could use a veteran presence on their offensive line, and Corbett—at the very least—would be a great mentor for Christian Mahogany, Tate Ratledge, and Miles Frazier.
- LB Christian Rozeboom (#56) – If you were to just judge Rozeboom by PFF grades, you’d want to keep far away (47.1 this year, 53.5 last year), but he’s led his team in tackles for two straight years (Panthers this year, Rams last year). Lions GM Brad Holmes has a little familiarity with him, as he was an undrafted addition to the Rams during Holmes’ final year as their director of college scouting. Rozeboom has grown significantly since, become a strong special teamer, and a capable starter. The problem is, Rozeboom isn’t exactly a strong coverage linebacker, which is what the Lions may be seeking to replace Alex Anzalone. But, much like Grant Stuard (who is also set to become a free agent), Rozeboom is a high-effort player who flies to the football.
