As free agency approaches, we will look back at the Detroit Lions roster, examining expectations coming into the season and evaluating players’ futures with the team.

Today we look at defensive end Eli Harold.

Eli Harold, DE

Expectations before 2018:

Looking to add some depth just before the season, the Lions traded a conditional 2020 seventh-round pick to San Francisco 49ers for Harold. Detroit’s front seven was an evident weak spot, especially after losing linebacker Steve Longa to a torn ACL in the preseason. They had just shown issues with stopping the run in a preseason loss to the New York Giants, so Detroit signed Harold, who tallied 57 tackles and five sacks in three years with the 49ers.