The first wave of free agency is in the books, and it was a pretty busy week for the four teams in the NFC North.
Here's a look at how rosters have changed throughout the division through the first wave of free agency:
DETROIT
2024 record: 15-2 (division champs)
Top re-signings: LB Derrick Barnes, DT Levi Onwuzurike, DE Marcus Davenport, WR Tim Patrick, LB Anthony Pittman, LB Ezekiel Turner, DL Myles Adams
Key free-agent additions: CB D.J. Reed, DT Roy Lopez, LB Grant Stuard
Free-agent losses: CB Carlton Davis III, G Kevin Zeitler, S Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB Kindle Vildor
Twentyman's take: Getting Reed was a really savvy move by GM Brad Holmes after losing Davis in free agency to the Patriots. With Reed, Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the fold, the cornerback spot looks solid in Detroit.
Re-signing Patrick as the No. 3 was a great get. He fit in perfect in Detroit last year and really solidifies that receiving corps.
Holmes is in a little different spot than the rest of the teams in the North in that he's drafted so unbelievably well over the last few years, the priority now becomes re-signing the core pieces to the roster that are homegrown. It's a good problem to have, but it can be an expensive one too, and one that will limit the amount of money spent on outside free agents.
The team has already re-signed Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jared Goff and Alim McNeill to large extensions. Aidan Hutchinson and Kerby Joseph are up for extensions this year, and Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch are entering the third year of their four-year rookie contracts.
Draft, develop and re-sign. That's Holmes' preferred method of roster building, and because Detroit has done the draft and develop part so well, the expensive part of re-signing their own is now a big part of the equation and the priority.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Lions look to add a veteran guard to compete with Graham Glasgow and Christian Mahogany in the coming weeks.