This offseason, the Detroit Lions made an unusual number of changes to their roster. Due to the tightening salary cap and the need to get younger, the Lions have said goodbye to several players who have been a part of the organization for a long time.
With the Lions on their bye week, we thought it would be a good opportunity to check in on the departed players and see how they are doing with their new teams.
New team: Texans
Statistics: 52 carries, 138 yards (2.7 YPC), 2 TDs; 7 catches, 67 yards, 1 TD
PFF Grade: 68.1 (20th out of 53)
Montgomery gets a larger share of carries than Detroit (Woody Marks has 11 more carries than Montgomery with 149), but the efficiency numbers fall off a cliff. Montgomery’s 2.7 yards per carry were his career lowest by a full yard, and his 40.4% rushing success rate was also a career low.
Unfortunately, Montgomery suffered a groin injury last week and is considered week-to-week.
New team: Bears
Statistics: 24 catches, 226 yards, 1 TD; 9 punt returns, 93 yards (10.3 avg.)
PFF Grade: 73.0 (34th out of 97)
Raymond is on pace to surpass his yardage total from last year with the Lions (289) and is on pace for a career year. He played in 62.4% of the Bears’ offensive snaps, which was the highest percentage since his first year in Detroit (71.4%). But his production has slowed, catching five passes for 12 total yards in the last two games combined—even with a pair of backup quarterbacks.
New team: Bills
Statistics: 0 catches; 9 punt returns, 84 yards (9.3 avg.); 16 kick returns, 421 yards (26.3 avg.)
PFF Grade: 72.1 return grade (12th out of 70)
Dortch only played 11 snaps on offense, but he’s been a solid returner for the Bills—something the Lions could certainly use after the injury to Tom Kennedy. Dortch’s punt return average is below the league average, but his kick return average is just above it.
New team: Chargers
Statistics: 2 starts
PFF Grade: 59.2 (44th out of 81)
Awosika won the starting left guard job for the Chargers out of training camp, but missed the last three games with a fibula injury. For what it’s worth, he’s currently rated higher than Lions reserve guard Ben Bartch (48.0).
New team: Cardinals
Statistics: 5 starts — 20 tackles, 1.0 sack, 3 TFL
PFF Grade: 71.3 (21st out of 140)
While Lions fans got a taste Sunday, Lopez continues to play strong football on the interior. He’s been a big reason why the Cardinals have a strong run defense, and he flashed some of his pass-rushing chops with his first sack of the season opposite Juice Scruggs.
New team: Giants
Statistics: 5 starts—13 tackles
PFF Grade: 85.8 (2nd out of 140)
Reader likely still has that at age 32. Not only has he continued to be a strong run defender (77.4, fourth), but PFF gives him an outstanding pass-rushing grade at 78.5 (eighth) despite producing just five pressures this year.
Also interesting, despite having Reader at his best, the Giants run defense is giving up the second highest yards per carry average (5.2) in the NFL.
New team: Buccaneers
Statistics: 5 games, 2 starts — 4 tackles, 2 QB hits, 0.0 sacks
PFF Grade: 77.1 (24th out of 123)
Muhammad’s usual stat sheet is pretty bare, as he continues to search for his first sack of the season and has just four pressures in five games. However, PFF credits him with above-average grades in every phase of the game.
New team: Bears (now retired)
Statistics: 1 game – 1 tackle
PFF Grade: 70.8
I felt compelled to add Davenport to this list, as he is considered a starter in Detroit. He made the Bears’ practice squad, got elevated for one game, and announced his retirement from football last week.
New team: Cowboys
Statistics: 4 games — 3 tackles (14 defensive snaps, 67 special teams snaps)
PFF Grade: 61.9 PFF special teams grade
After logging 215 special teams snaps for the Lions last year, Wheat remains a staple in the third quarter game in Dallas.
New team: Buccaneers
Statistics: 5 starts — 27 tackles, 1.0 sack, 1 INT
PFF Grade: 41.1 (75 out of 76)
Anzalone’s start to his career in Tampa was a complete disaster, with fans calling for his benching after just two games. He has since settled down a bit, and helped the Bucs get their first win of the season on Thursday with an interception. Of particular concern in his play are the missed tackles. He had four in the first two games of the season after recording eight total last year.
New team: Rams
Statistics: 5 games — 2 tackles (0 defensive snaps, 99 special teams snaps)
PFF Grade: 66.9 special teams score
Stuard remains a four-core special teamer with the Rams, but has yet to find the field on defense.
New faction: Commanders
Statistics: 5 starts — 33 tackles, 8 passes defended, 1 forced fumble
PFF Grade: 74.9 (13th out of 111)
If there’s one player the Lions might regret letting go, it’s Robertson—who signed a lucrative two-year, $15 million contract in Washington this offseason. Robertson has been excellent, leading the league with eight passes defensed. He allows a passer rating of just 79.8 when targeted (17 catches on 31 targets for 158 yards and 1 TD). However, he has five penalties on the season—second among all cornerbacks.
He remains an elite run defender, producing an 87.3 grade during that span —fifth best among all cornerbacks.
New team: Browns
Statistics: 3 games (0 starts) — 4 tackles (0 defensive snaps, 64 special teams snaps)
PFF Grade: 69.8 special teams score
The Lions didn’t have room for Thomas after overhauling the safety room, but he’s been an effective special teamer in Cleveland
Notable former Lions with no playing time
- QB Kyle Allen (Bills)
- TE Shane Zylstra (unsigned)
- OT Taylor Decker (unsigned)
- C Graham Glasgow (unsigned)
- EDGE Josh Paschal (unsigned)
- LB Zach Cunningham (unsigned)