From Chris (@taydyl33):
Chris, of course he has. Here’s what players want: They want to be developed, they want to win, and they want to get rich, though not necessarily in that order. Generally, the top-end players go for top dollar. A contender such as the Detroit Lions might get a small discount on those types, but not a massive one. Where they can make hay is in the next levels down.
One category, in that regard, would be the player who hits free agency and doesn’t quite have the market he hoped for, so he goes and signs a one-year deal to try and hit it big the following year. That player, one looking to enhance his value, is always going to be enticed by the team that can put him on the biggest stages and the coaching staff that can maximize his performance the most, both by developing him and highlighting his skills.
Another category, along those lines, would be the third-contract player. This one’s already made his money, so while cashing in matters, it’s not the only thing. The Baltimore Ravens, for one, have been experts at shaking players such as this (Kevin Zeitler, Michael Pierce and Jadeveon Clowney are good examples from last year) out of the market.
So, yes, Chris, there’s some capital that Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes will be able to wheel and deal in free agency. And the fact that players, pretty much across the board, love playing for the staff there doesn’t hurt Detroit’s chances of luring people in those categories either.
