Detroit Lions Linked To Center & Quarterback Upgrades

With NFL 53-man rosters getting cut down—sources have confirmed Brad Holmes is already looking to other teams cuts to find upgrades.

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Allen Park— Over the last five seasons, Detroit has treated the initial 53-man roster as a starting point. In 2025, Holmes stopped at 50 players, intentionally left three spots open, then added Daniel Thomas, Tyler Lacy and Tyrus Wheat from outside the building.

Detroit could need that flexibility again. Cade Mays is rehabbing a fractured wrist and is not expected back until sometime in late October, leaving Juice Scruggs at center and creating an immediate need for experienced interior-line insurance. Isiah Pacheco missed most of camp recovering from an MCL injury and is now dealing with a back issue without a firm return timetable.

Backup quarterback remains unsettled following Teddy Bridgewater’s abrupt retirement, with Josh Dobbs and Luke Altmyer competing behind Jared Goff. The secondary carries its own uncertainty, with questions at safety and cornerback—while Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are likely to start the season on Reserve PUP.

Holmes should be working two lists heading into final cuts: players worth trading for before they reach the market and potential upgrades Detroit can attack once the waiver wire opens. There are two positions that I have intel on that could change this roster very soon. The balance of the players in this list are players I have identified as possible targets.

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CENTER

Jarrett Patterson — Houston Texans

Patterson is my No. 1 cutdown target. He has played 39 NFL games with 21 starts and has experience at center and guard. As a rookie, he started seven games at center, and Houston went three consecutive games without allowing a sack during that stretch. With Mays down, Patterson could compete with Scruggs immediately and remain a two-position interior backup after Mays returns.

My sources tell me that the Lions have legit interest in Patterson. Houston’s offensive-line depth has pushed Patterson onto the roster bubble. He would give Detroit immediate competition at center with enough versatility to dress as an interior backup on game day. I wouldn’t expect Holmes to overpay. A Day 3 pick is logical, but if Houston cuts him, Detroit should put in a claim immediately.

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Olu Oluwatimi — Seattle Seahawks

Oluwatimi has played 36 games with 13 starts, including eight starts in 2024 and four last season. He is a true center with NFL starting experience, and his Michigan résumé includes both the Rimington and Outland trophies. He allowed zero sacks across 410 pass-blocking snaps during his final college season.

Oluwatimi is capable of starting and has experience handling protection responsibilities. He would immediately become one of Detroit’s better backup interior linemen, has enough size for the run game and could remain in the rotation after Mays returns.

Seattle’s recent offensive-line injuries could make the Seahawks less willing to move him. This probably requires a trade. A Day 3 pick could get the conversation started. I would call Seattle and find out the price.

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Jordan Meredith — Las Vegas Raiders

Meredith has played 45 NFL games with 20 starts and brings guard-center flexibility. He started eight games in 2024 and 11 in 2025, giving Detroit another healthy interior lineman with recent starting experience.

Meredith has been better at guard than center, so I would not assume he beats out Scruggs. The Raiders have been giving Trey Zuhn III backup-center work, however, and Meredith has surfaced in trade discussions.

He could compete at center now and still have a role at guard after Mays returns. Meredith is a possible trade candidate and potential cut. Detroit should wait unless the price drops to a late Day 3 pick swap or less.

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Sam Mustipher — Jacksonville Jaguars

Mustipher is the veteran insurance option. He has played 65 games with 43 starts, and 40 of his first 43 NFL starts came at center. He has started for Chicago and also spent time with Baltimore, the Chargers and Denver before Jacksonville signed him in August.

Mustipher has made protection calls, handled NFL fronts and operated an offense from center. Jacksonville has Robert Hainsey and Jonah Monheim ahead of him, putting Mustipher near the bottom of the center depth chart.

Detroit could use that experience while Mays recovers, but there is no reason to trade for him. If Jacksonville releases Mustipher, he becomes a veteran option who could immediately stabilize the backup center job.

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RUNNING BACK

Tyrone Tracy Jr. — New York Giants

Tracy is the running back I would be willing to trade for. He has played 32 games with 23 starts, rushing for 1,579 yards and seven touchdowns while adding 74 receptions for 572 yards and three scores. That is 2,151 yards from scrimmage in two seasons.

The Giants added Najee Harris, while Tracy’s preseason has included ball-security and pass-protection issues. New York has also increased his special-teams workload in a crowded backfield. Detroit would not be acquiring depth. Tracy could step directly into the RB2 job if Pacheco is not ready.

He can run inside, catch the football and handle significant snaps without changing Detroit’s personnel packages. I would call the Giants before cuts and consider a sixth- or seventh-round pick. If New York releases him, Detroit should move immediately.

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Dameon Pierce — Philadelphia Eagles

Pierce has played 43 games with 20 starts, rushing for 1,684 yards and eight touchdowns on 419 carries. His rookie season showed what he can handle: 939 yards and four touchdowns on 220 attempts.

His offensive role declined afterward, but Pierce averaged 7.3 yards per carry on 40 attempts in 2024 and has added special-teams work. Philadelphia already has Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley, leaving Pierce vulnerable when the Eagles get to 53.

Pierce could handle legitimate carries behind Gibbs if Pacheco remains unavailable. I would not give Philadelphia a draft pick for a player who could be released within days. If the Eagles cut him, Detroit should make the call.

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Roschon Johnson — Chicago Bears

Johnson has played 36 games without a start, producing 519 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 138 carries while adding 50 receptions for 313 yards. Six of his rushing touchdowns came on only 55 carries in 2024.

At 227 pounds, Johnson would give Detroit a different body type behind Gibbs. He can handle short yardage, protect, catch enough to stay on the field and contribute on special teams. His offensive role nearly disappeared in 2025, although Chicago could still keep him behind D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai because of his special-teams work.

Johnson is more role player than RB2. Detroit could use the power and protection, but there is no reason to trade within the division for him. If Chicago releases him, put him on the post-cut board.

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Khalil Herbert — San Francisco 49ers

Herbert has played 63 games with 13 starts, carrying 416 times for 1,957 yards and nine touchdowns. His career average of 4.7 yards per carry keeps him on this board. He has also caught 54 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns.

San Francisco released Herbert on August 17, then brought him back three days later after another running back went to injured reserve. The 49ers have already shown they are willing to expose him.

Herbert is an experienced zone runner with enough burst to handle legitimate carries behind Gibbs without changing the run game. There is no reason to surrender an asset. If San Francisco cuts him again, Detroit can pursue him as a veteran free agent.

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CORNERBACK

Kristian Fulton — Kansas City Chiefs

Fulton is the best veteran corner on this board. He has played 64 games with 53 starts, recording 38 passes defended, five interceptions and more than 200 tackles. He has extensive experience outside, where Detroit could use more certainty behind D.J. Reed and Rock Ya-Sin.

Kansas City has a deep secondary, and Fulton has surfaced as both a trade and cut candidate. He would not be coming to Detroit to fight for CB6. His starting experience would put him in the competition for defensive snaps immediately.

I would call Kansas City rather than assume Fulton reaches the market, but the possible roster squeeze limits what I would pay. A late Day 3 pick or pick swap is enough. If Kansas City wants significantly more, Holmes should wait.

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Kelee Ringo — Philadelphia Eagles

Ringo has played all 51 regular-season games since entering the league, including eight starts. He has 73 tackles, five passes defended, one interception, one sack and two forced fumbles. At 6-foot-2 and 207 pounds, he brings legitimate outside size and extensive special-teams experience.

Philadelphia’s secondary depth puts Ringo on this board, although two preseason pass breakups and an interception have strengthened his case to stay. He is still only 24 and has already handled NFL defensive snaps.

Ringo is the type of young corner Detroit should take a shot on. He can contribute on special teams immediately while competing for defensive snaps. I would consider a late Day 3 pick swap, but not a clean mid-round pick. If Philadelphia exposes him to waivers, Detroit should put in a claim.

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Noah Igbinoghene — Seattle Seahawks

Igbinoghene has played 69 NFL games with 17 starts, recording 119 tackles, 17 passes defended and one interception. His strongest recent stretch came in Washington, where he started 12 games across two seasons and handled snaps outside, in the slot and on special teams.

Seattle’s corner room has become crowded. The Seahawks signed Trevon Diggs and have agreed to terms with Terrion Arnold, although Arnold’s legal situation could keep him unavailable in the short term. Add Devon Witherspoon, Josh Jobe and Seattle’s younger corners, and somebody could get squeezed out.

Igbinoghene has enough experience and versatility to compete for Detroit’s fifth or sixth corner spot. I would not trade for him with Seattle facing its own numbers problem. If the Seahawks release him, Holmes should take a serious look.

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QUARTERBACK

Aidan O’Connell — Las Vegas Raiders

O’Connell is the best quarterback target on this board. He has played 21 games with 17 starts, completing 62 percent of his passes for 3,932 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. At 27, he has NFL starting experience and could become a multi-year QB2 behind Jared Goff.

Raiders No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza struggled in the finale, completing 7 of 14 passes for 57 yards with an interception and two sacks. O’Connell had a strong camp and preseason, which could convince Las Vegas to keep three quarterbacks. If the Raiders are not comfortable with Mendoza as the No. 2, O’Connell may only move for the right offer.

My sources tell me there is legitimate interest in O’Connell if he becomes available. Holmes must decide whether he is enough of an upgrade over Josh Dobbs and Luke Altmyer to give up an asset. I would consider a sixth- or seventh-round pick. Anything more is too much for a QB2.

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Sam Howell — Dallas Cowboys

Howell has played 20 games with 18 starts, throwing for 4,139 yards, 22 touchdowns and 23 interceptions while adding 300 rushing yards and six scores. He started all 17 games for Washington in 2023, throwing for 3,946 yards, but also took 65 sacks. Howell has the arm and mobility. Handling pressure and avoiding negative plays remain the problems.

Joe Milton has had the stronger preseason and is viewed as the favorite for Dallas’ QB2 job, although Brian Schottenheimer said the competition remains “neck and neck.” Dallas could keep three quarterbacks, but Howell remains a possible cut or trade candidate.

Howell brings starting experience and more off-script ability than Detroit currently has behind Goff. I would not give Dallas a clean Day 3 pick with Howell already fighting for a roster spot. A conditional seventh-rounder or late pick swap is enough. If Dallas cuts him, Detroit should make the call.

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Cooper Rush — Atlanta Falcons

Rush has played 42 games with 16 starts, throwing for 3,766 yards, 20 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. In 2024, he started eight games for Dallas and threw for 1,844 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. He is a pocket quarterback who has shown he can step into a lineup and keep an offense functioning.

Atlanta has Michael Penix Jr., Tua Tagovailoa, Rush and rookie Jack Strand. Strand has pushed for a roster spot, but current projections still have Rush making the 53. Rush would give Detroit experienced QB2 insurance, but there is not enough upside to trade for him. Keep him on the cutdown board. If Atlanta releases him, make the call.

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SKYLER GILL-HOWARD INTERVIEW

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DETROIT CUTDOWN BOARD

TIER 1 — MAKE THE CALL NOW

These are players worth pursuing before Detroit knows whether they will reach the market.

• Jarrett Patterson — C/G: Immediate competition at center.

• Olu Oluwatimi — C: Starting experience with a chance to help beyond Mays’ return.

• Tyrone Tracy Jr. — RB: The best potential RB2 on the board.

• Kristian Fulton — CB: Proven outside corner who could earn defensive snaps immediately.

• Aidan O’Connell — QB: The strongest combination of age and starting experience at quarterback.

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TIER 2 — WAIT FOR THE PRICE TO DROP

Detroit should not chase these players. A late pick swap, conditional pick or waiver claim makes more sense.

• Jordan Meredith — C/G: Veteran interior depth with recent starting experience.

• Dameon Pierce — RB: Proven runner who could handle real carries behind Gibbs.

• Kelee Ringo — CB: Young, big outside corner with special-teams experience.

• Sam Howell — QB: Starting experience and mobility, but too many negative plays.

• Sam Mustipher — C: Experienced center who makes more sense after cuts.

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TIER 3 — POST-CUT INSURANCE

No trade required. These are players to pursue only if they become available.

• Roschon Johnson — RB: Power, protection and short-yardage depth.

• Khalil Herbert — RB: Proven zone runner with a 4.7-yard career rushing average.

• Noah Igbinoghene — CB: Experienced corner with inside-outside flexibility and special-teams ability.

• Cooper Rush — QB: Veteran backup capable of keeping the offense functional.

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I INTERVIEWED SKYLER GILL-HOWARD 2 DAYS POST DRAFT

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ROCK’S READ

Detroit enters cutdown weekend with legitimate holes created by injury and uncertainty. Cade Mays’ fractured wrist leaves Juice Scruggs holding down center until Mays can return. Isiah Pacheco missed most of camp with an MCL injury and is now dealing with a back issue. Teddy Bridgewater’s retirement left Josh Dobbs and Luke Altmyer battling for QB2, while Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph remain on PUP and the cornerback depth still needs help.

Brad Holmes does not need to chase names. He needs players capable of taking real snaps. Center is the biggest need. Running back could become one quickly. Quarterback and corner are positions where the right cut could upgrade the 53.

Holmes has used cutdown weekend this way before. With Detroit trying to contend now, he should do it again.

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Will Rock Is An Independent Media Member And Founder Of Detroit Football Journal. After Cancer Changed His Life In 2023, He Decided It Was Time To Pursue His Dreams. A Lifelong Lions Fan And Loyal Lions Member For 29 Years, He Turned That Passion Into Independent NFL Coverage. Focusing On NFL Draft Analysis, Roster Construction, Player Evaluation, Scouting, Scheme And Film Analysis, Rock Earned NFL Media Credentials By The Start Of His Second Season Covering The League. Help Will Accomplish His Dream By Supporting This Publication.

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