5 players the Detroit Lions need to prioritize in free agency
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Lions need to consider signing free agent Marcus Williams.
Marcus Williams makes a ton of sense for the Detroit Lions for multiple reasons. Williams has obvious ties to the coaching staff in Detroit. Head coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn joined the Lions via the New Orleans Saints.
Williams spent his first four seasons with the Saints, where he totaled 15 interceptions, compiling 320 tackles one sack while defending 38 passes in 76 starts.
The 25-year old hits the open market and will draw plenty of attention. Still, the Detroit Lions need to prioritize the playmaking free safety in hopes of pairing him with Tracy Walker, who can play either spot on the backend.
Last season with the Saints, Williams earned a stellar overall grade of 80.1 courtesy of Pro Football Focus that includes an elite 84.3 mark in coverage.
If you’ve been following the Detroit Lions over the past few seasons, you will quickly remember how atrocious the Lions’ safeties have been in coverage, whether it was Duron Harmon, Will Harris, Dean Marlowe, or Walker. Williams will be a massive upgrade on the back end if the organization finds a way to lure him to Detroit.
If Brad Holmes cannot get Williams to put pen to paper, there are other solid options on the open market.
Williams is coming off of a season where he earned just over $10 million. Spotrac has predicted Williams to make $15 million annually on the open market using comparable players at the same position. The projection is a five-year deal worth $75.1 million.
Other options include Quandre Diggs, Marcus Maye, Jordan Whitehead, Jabrill Peppers, Jaquiski Tartt.