With NFL free agency on the horizon next month, the Detroit Lions will have to figure out who will and won’t be on the team next season. The Lions have a multitude of free agents, including veterans Al-Quadin Muhammad and Alex Anzalone, who both could get sizable paydays on the open market.
Meanwhile, other free agents like Avonte Maddox, Rock Ya-Sin, and Kalif Raymond could easily be back in the Motor City in 2026 on a short-term deal. However, it's not guaranteed. Regarding Raymond, the 31-year-old wide receiver/return specialist should be a shoo-in to return a month out from free agency.Â
But with the Lions projected to be $8.5 million over in cap space, per OverTheCap, plus Raymond’s calculated market value (one-year, $3.5 million on Spotrac), Detroit could go in another direction, especially if a market grows for the veteran’s services.
Also, we can’t forget the Lions have a young wide receiver in Isaac TeSlaa, who should have a bigger role in new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s unit. With all that being said, the Lions might have to look for a replacement this offseason. And if that’s the case, they should consider bringing in veteran wide receiver Greg Dortch.
Greg Dortch Should Be on Lions' Radar Heading into Free Agency
The 27-year-old wide receiver is set to become a free agent next month after spending the last five seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. Dortch had the chance to play under Petzing over the past three years, so he already knows the type of offense that he wants to run.
The veteran wide receiver could easily slot into the WR4 for the Lions with no problem, as they try to get TeSlaa more involved. During his time with the Cardinals, Dortch wasn’t a huge focal point in the offense as they had Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, and Trey McBride.
However, the veteran wideout still found ways to make plays when given the opportunity. This season, Dortch had 29 receptions (33 targets) for 206 yards and three touchdowns. His stats are comparable to Raymond's most recent performance in Detroit — 24 receptions (30 targets) for 289 yards and a touchdown.
According to Spotrac, Dortch’s calculated market value is a one-year, $1.6 million deal, which is right in the Lions’ wheelhouse.
Given their current cap situation and potential financial commitments down the road, Detroit will look to find those diamonds in the rough on cheap one-year deals. Dortch could be the next guy to fit that mold.
In addition to his receiving skills, Dortch can also be used on kick and punt returns, which further increases his value. For his career, the veteran receiver is averaging 8.9 yards per punt return and 23.6 yards per kick return.
However, Dortch had his best season on punt returns in 2025 (11.6), surpassing Raymond’s average (7.5). That said, Raymond has the edge over Dortch as he has two All-Pro second-team nods on his resume from 2022 and 2024.
It will be interesting to see what the Lions do when free agency kicks off. While they would love to bring Raymond back, he could have a sizable market. If that happens, head coach Dan Campbell will need to have a backup plan.
That plan could involve Dortch, giving Lions fans another free agent to monitor before legal tampering begins on Monday, March 9.