Notes: Analyst calls Chark signing a top-5 bargain in free agency

The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen posted an article on Friday giving five top NFC free agents for value and fit (subscription required). While the full article is behind a paywall, a lot can be gleaned about the content relevant for Lions fans thanks to Nguyen’s tweet:

That Nguyen loves the Chark signing by Detroit is not really a surprise, given how many analysts out there loved its fit and value. Our own fearless leader Jeremy Reisman pointed out the former Jacksonville Jaguar was a “high-character player” who was “exactly what they were looking for.” Right after the signing back on March 15, Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport called the deal “a steal for Detroit general manager Brad Holmes” and “one of the best signings of free agency so far. A no-risk, below-market deal that could pay off in a big way.” Football Outsiders’ Mike Tanier felt Chark was “a solid acquisition.”

While the contract terms gave the team remarkable flexibility in this atmosphere of bananas wide receiver deals, there were early signs that Chark was a perfect fit for the Lions to pursue. Pro Football Focus’ Ben Linsey named the big, speedy receiver his perfect free-agent match for the Lions on March 11: “At 6-foot-4 with sub-4.4 speed, Chark could become the field stretcher that the offense is missing.”

Nguyen raised the usual concerns about Chark’s injury history but thought his size and speed combination offers a physical contested-catch threat the team hasn’t had since 2019. We thought so, too. Now, on to the rest of today’s Notes:

• A former teammate is extremely pumped up to have Jarrad Davis in Detroit:

• Former Lions wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent.

• In case you were wondering about free agent contract terms for the Lions:

• The Detroit Lions sent out an announcement over social media that registration for their 2022 summer football camps are still open, with discounts available at some of the sessions (though not at Ford Field, Allen Park, or Lil’ Lions Academies).

• As everybody expected, the Lions had good years from the offensive line, tight end (at least half of a year), and running back units but everything else was... not so good.

• Still, Pro Football Focus’ Doug Kyed says “there are people in the league who believe Detroit could take a lineman second overall” for some reason.

• Pass rush specialist Brandon Jordan held a pass rush summit in East Lansing at Michigan State’s facilities this past week. One of the players in attendance was former Detroit Lion Da’shawn Hand.

• MLive’s Kyle Meinke wrote about Cincinnati cornerback and Detroit native Ahmad Gardner who is set to have a pre-draft visit with the Lions.

• Also from Meinke:

• Football Outsiders’ Scott Spratt updated the adjusted games lost (due to injuries) data by position and posted results that include the 2021 season. The Lions appeared on lists of particularly hard hit position units for wide receivers, linebackers (where many edge rushers were included), and defensive backs. Reisman wrote more about this topic earlier in the week.