The Detroit Lions had a Cinderella run last season, reaching the NFC Championship only to lose to the San Francisco 49ers, who came from behind to get to Super Bowl 58.
The franchise needs to keep the momentum going.
Their last playoff win was in 1991, and after a great 2023 run, fans expect nothing but a campaign for the top spot next season.
Team supporters chastised coach Dan Campbell for saying the Niners game was their "only shot" to win the title.
The comments were clarified the next few days as he only emphasized how hard it was to win the NFL title.
Lions Pro Bowl pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson said Campbell is just as intense as he was in their playoffs. They are targeting Super Bowl 59.
"In our exit meetings the day after, he's like, 'We're going to the Super Bowl next year. Screw it. I don't care what it takes,'" Hutchinson said during a sit down with NBC Sports ahead of this month's national championship game.
Campbell was referring to how hard it is to remain at the top level.
They can do it, though. They have the coach and the players that can stun anyone in the league.
Read more: 3 Players New York Jets Must Target in Free Agency to Make Playoffs in 2024
With $48.1 million in cap space available, they can get better, and the free agency market will greatly help.
Top 3 free agents the Detroit Lions can target before the NFL 2024 season
1. Curtis Samuel (Wide Receiver)
The offense is what the Lions depended on throughout 2023. It got them to the 2023 NFC Championship, so it is only fitting that they fortify it.
They could sign someone like Curtis Samuel from the Washington Commanders.
With Josh Reynolds and Donovan Peoples-Jones entering the free agency, they could have Samuel as an immediate replacement as back-up.
He played 16 games last year and started in 13. He posted 613 receiving yards with four touchdowns.
Samuel had his fair share of struggles in his first year in Washington but saw a massive improvement in his last two.
He was an efficient target last season for the QB, making just four drops on 85 targets.
2. Steven Nelson (cornerback)
The Lions' offense is great. However, there is still so much to improve with their defense. That's what got them in their loss to the Niners.
They could use a dependable cornerback, Steve Nelson of the Houston Texans, to complement the offensive line.
He made four picks as the Texans' cornerback last season, and when targeted, opponents record just a 73.3 passer rating.
Nelson made headlines in the Wildcard Game with the Cleveland Browns when he intercepted a pass by QB Joe Flacco and then ran 82 yards for the touchdown to help his team seal a dominant win.
He may have played for five teams already, but he always played at the top level for each.
His passion could rub off well with Coach Campbell.
3. Mike Evans (Wide receiver)
Mike Evans was on a mission last season as he played in the last year of his contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He proved himself to be one of the best players in his position, recording another year with at least 1000 receiving yards. He has never had less than 1,000 receiving yards since entering the NFL in 2014.
The Lions could sweep in if they can do something about the restrictions on their cap, as Evans is already earning $16.5 million with Tampa Bay. He is projected to demand and receive around $23 million annually in his next contract.
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