Brad Holmes continues to work the margins in free agency. The Lions added cornerback Roger McCreary and tight end Tyler Conklin—two under-the-radar moves that could quietly strengthen Detroit’s depth heading into the 2026 season.
As free agency continues, the Detroit Lions haven’t stopped making moves. While there still hasn’t been a massive splash signing, general manager Brad Holmes continues to quietly build the roster by adding depth and plugging smaller holes. Detroit’s latest additions include cornerback Roger McCreary and tight end Tyler Conklin. Neither move will dominate headlines across the league, but both players could end up playing important roles for the Lions in 2026.
Here’s a deeper look at what each player brings after their 2025 seasons.
Roger McCreary, CB
Last season, the Los Angeles Rams traded a fifth-round pick for McCreary along with a sixth-rounder in a swap deal. Prior to that, McCreary spent the first four seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans, where he developed into a reliable rotational defensive back.
Across his career so far, McCreary has started 31 games and produced solid numbers for a depth cornerback. He has recorded four interceptions, 17 pass breakups, four sacks, 22 tackles for loss and 257 total tackles. His versatility and willingness to play physically near the line of scrimmage have always been strong parts of his game.
In 2025, McCreary posted respectable numbers according to Pro Football Focus. He finished with a 69.2 overall grade, ranking 27th out of 114 cornerbacks. His coverage grade of 69.7 ranked 29th, while his run defense grade of 63.7 ranked 45th among qualifying corners.
Statistically, McCreary finished the season with 28 solo tackles, one interception, five total pressures, one sack and six missed tackles. Opposing receivers averaged 10.2 yards per reception against him across 345 defensive snaps.
For Detroit, McCreary projects primarily as a nickel cornerback. The Lions value defensive backs who can tackle and contribute in the run game, especially in Aaron Glenn’s aggressive defensive system. McCreary’s ability to blitz, play physical coverage inside and hold his own in run support makes him a logical fit for that role.
More importantly, he could step in as the replacement for Amik Robertson, who previously handled many of those nickel responsibilities for Detroit. Even if McCreary doesn’t start every week, his versatility and experience should make him an important depth piece in the secondary.
Tyler Conklin, TE
The signing of Conklin may look minor on the surface, but it could prove to be a quietly important move for Detroit’s offense.
Conklin will likely compete for the TE3 position behind star tight end Sam LaPorta and veteran Brock Wright. However, with both players dealing with injuries recently, bringing in an experienced tight end was a smart insurance move.
LaPorta is coming off back surgery, while Wright dealt with a serious throat/trachea injury last season. Those situations make the tight end room slightly uncertain heading into the offseason program, so adding a veteran like Conklin provides stability.
Conklin has spent eight seasons in the NFL, playing four years with the Minnesota Vikings, three with the New York Jets, and one with the Los Angeles Chargers. During that time, he developed a reputation as a dependable pass-catching tight end who can also contribute as a blocker.
Over his career, Conklin has started 69 games and been targeted 386 times, recording 270 receptions for 2,645 yards and 11 touchdowns. While he has never been a primary offensive weapon, he has consistently been a reliable safety valve for quarterbacks.
Conklin also has a natural connection to the region. He played college football at Central Michigan University, meaning he’s already familiar with the state and its football culture. For Detroit fans, that local tie makes the signing even more interesting.
From a football standpoint, Conklin fits well with how Detroit uses tight ends. Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing often deploys multiple tight end sets, mixing blocking responsibilities with play-action passing. Conklin’s experience in both phases of the game makes him a solid rotational option.
He also brings veteran leadership to a tight end room that has relied heavily on younger players in recent seasons. If LaPorta or Wright need time to fully recover, Conklin has enough experience to step into a larger role without the offense missing a beat.
Conclusion
The Lions may not be making flashy moves this offseason, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t improving the roster. Holmes has built Detroit into a contender by focusing on depth, versatility and smart roster construction, and these two signings follow that same philosophy.
McCreary adds another capable defensive back to a secondary that needed depth at the nickel position, while Conklin gives Detroit an experienced tight end in a room dealing with injuries.
For now, it appears the Lions are content filling smaller roster needs rather than chasing big-name free agents. With free agency settling down, Holmes will likely begin shifting more attention toward the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, where Detroit could make its next major additions to the roster.
It may not be the splashy offseason some fans hoped for, but the Lions continue to quietly build a roster capable of competing deep into the postseason.