2026 NFL free agency preview: Staying course arguably best option for Lions with thin defensive tackle market

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The NFL’s negotiating window for pending free agents opens on March 9, and players will be eligible to sign with new teams on March 11 at 4 p.m.

Ahead of those dates, we’ll preview each position, looking at the top options expected to hit the market, the Detroit Lions’ pending free agents, plus three outside players who could be fits.

Today, we’ll be looking at the defensive tackles.

Quick overview

Detroit’s in relatively good shape with its defensive interior. The team is returning Alim McNeill, last year’s first-round pick Tyleik Williams and Levi Onwuzurike, who had his one-year contract carry over to this season after missing all of 2025 due to injury.

Additionally, some depth pieces remain in the fold, including Tyler Lacy and Mekhi Wingo.

There’s room to add competition, either a run-stopping nose tackle or an option with pass-rushing juice, particularly if Onwuzurike doesn’t return to form following his ACL surgery and rehab.

Top players available

John Franklin-Myers

A highly productive interior pass rusher, Franklin-Myers reset his career-high in sacks each of the past two seasons in Denver, registering 14.5 total during that stretch.

The run defense has ranged from average to good throughout his career, but any team would be thrilled to get the 43-53 quarterback pressures he’s generated each of the past six seasons.

Calais Campbell

The Lions explored adding Campbell ahead of the 2023 season, but couldn’t come to terms with the accomplished veteran.

Entering what would be his 19th season, Campbell remains shockingly productive. Back with the Cardinals, the team that drafted him in 2008, Campbell provided 33 pressures and 6.5 sacks in 17 games. He hasn’t missed a contest in three years.

DJ Reader

Reader was solid during his two seasons with the Lions, but wasn’t the dominant run-stuffer he was prior to suffering a second torn quad during the 2023 season.

He can still clog the middle of the line, but will offer next to nothing as a pass rusher. His 20 pressures in 2025 were his fewest in a full season since 2017, and he finished without a sack for the third time in his 10-year career.

David Onyemata

Another long-in-the-tooth option, the 33-year-old Onyemata continues to be stellar against the run, even if the pass-rush production has declined the past two seasons. He did manage to record at least 6.0 tackles for a loss each of the past three seasons with the Falcons.

DaQuan Jones

A wide-framed, alignment versatile interior lineman who will hold up against the run and give you some juice in the pass rush, Jones averaged 26 pressures and 2.5 sacks the past four seasons in Buffalo.

Detroit’s pending free agents

Reader

See above.

Roy Lopez

A free agent addition from Arizona a year ago, Lopez offered some alignment versatility and quality production as a reserve last season. Logging more than 400 defensive snaps, he lived up to his reputation as a solid run defender while providing 13 pressures, five QB hits and 2.0 sacks.

Potential outside fits

Campbell

The simplest solution for Detroit would be bringing back Lopez. But if there’s interest in upgrading the depth, particularly as it pertains to affecting the quarterback, it’s worth checking in on Campbell again.

You’re probably looking at a one-year contract around $5 million with some added incentives, but that’s worth it for the type of production he’s provided, even at this late stage of his career.

Khyiris Tonga

Assuming they don’t re-up with Reader, Detroit could use nose tackle depth to pair Williams. Tonga is a massive, 335-pound run stuffer. He won’t give you much as a pass rusher, with just a half-sack in five seasons, but he can condense the pocket, generating 17 pressures for the Patriots in 2025.

LaCale London

Off most if not all free agency rankings, London is a rotational interior option with upside. A UDFA signing out of Western Illinois a few years back, he logged a career-high 270 defensive snaps last season, surprisingly getting home for 5.0 sacks paired with respectable run defense.

He’s set to be a restricted free agent, but given the limited track record and new leadership in Atlanta, we’re assuming he won’t be tendered.