The Detroit Lions have experienced a ton of turnover among the coaching staff following the early exit in the postseason. After getting eliminated in the Divisional Round, members of their coaching staff started getting poached left and right.
Aaron Glenn landed the head coaching position with the New York Jets and is leaving the Lions after spending four years with Detroit. He is tasked with rebuilding and changing the culture of a team that missed the playoffs for 14 straight seasons.
While attempting to do that, Glenn could look to bring a couple of players from Detroit with him to New York. Here are four players who could follow Glenn over to New York.
1. Levi Onwuzurike, DL
Defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike came into the league as a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He spent the past four seasons with the Lions and has provided them with a quality depth piece along the defensive front.
In 42 games with the Lions, Onwuzurike has compiled 68 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. This past season, the 26-year-old finished with a 69.4 overall grade, 67.1 pass-rush grade, and 64.1 run-defense grade per PFF.
He also finished with 45 total pressures, 29 QB hurries, and 13 QB hits. The Jets will be looking to boost the interior defensive line behind Quinnen Williams.
Williams is a three-time Pro Bowler and is a beast for the Jets, but he needs some help inside. Onwuzurike is someone to watch for the Jets this spring. Glenn was his defensive coordinator for all four seasons in the league and knows what to expect.
Being in the same scheme with the same coach is something that could be interesting for Onwuzurike.
2. Derrick Barnes, LB
Linebacker Derrick Barnes was in the final year of his four-year rookie contract. Poised for a standout season for the Lions in 2024, Barnes' campaign was cut short after suffering a season-ending knee injury in September. He tore his PCL and MCL.
That was just one blow of the many the Lions' defense had to endure this season. Barnes was selected in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Lions out of Purdue. He's another player who played under Glenn his entire NFL career.
Across 51 games in Detroit, Barnes had 205 total tackles, 12 TFLs, eight QB hits, and four sacks. He came into the league as a rangy defender at the second level with great play-recognition skills.
Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda.com recently revealed that Barnes is a player that Glenn will target.
He wrote, "One player I'm told Glenn will target in free agency is linebacker Derrick Barnes, the Lions' fourth-round pick out of Purdue in 2021 who will be on the free-agent market after completing his rookie contract."
New York linebacker C.J. Mosley is set to have a $12.7 million cap hit in 2025 and will likely be released. He only played in four games in 2024. His time in New York may come to an end and Barnes could be someone who lands in New York.
3. Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB
Cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu is another free agent from the 2021 draft class. He was a third-round pick for the Lions and gave them an athletic depth piece. This season, he suited up in three games due to ankle and finger injuries.
Melifonwu was used as a blitzer a ton by Glenn due to his speed and length. In 37 career games, he logged 72 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions, and 13 pass deflections. He and Glenn developed a good relationship over the past four years.
The Jets have D.J. Reed and Brandin Echols hitting free agency. Bringing in Melifonwu would give the Jets an athletic defender with knowledge of Glenn's tendencies.
4. Carlton Davis III, CB
To stay on the same theme, cornerbacks are a need for the Jets. They have Sauce Gardner on the outside and Michael Carter in the slot. Regardless, they are going to need another outside corner.
Davis III is going to hit free agency after spending one season with the Lions. Last March, Detroit acquired him from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a 2024 third-round pick. Prior to fracturing his jaw, Davis III was a steady defender.
In 13 games, the Auburn product finished with 56 total tackles, 11 pass deflections, two interceptions, and one forced fumble. According to PFF, he logged a 74.5 overall grade (29th among 223 eligible corners) and a 72.1 coverage grade (38th among 223 eligible corners).
There's a pathway for the 28-year-old to sign a one or two-year deal with the Jets. He was a consistent defender on the backend and could re-join Glenn in New York. There will be multiple suitors for Davis III on the open market.
Teams are always looking for quality corners and the Jets could have an edge due to the connection with Glenn.