Bob Quinn can officially get to work Tuesday morning as the Detroit Lions – and every other team around the league – can start negotiating in earnest with unrestricted free agents about joining their teams.
The Lions are right in the middle of the NFL in cap space ($31,500,242 based on NFL records), and with bunch of holes to fill figure Detroit will do some work during free agency with some eye toward depth signings instead of many major moves.
For one, that just doesn’t seem to be Quinn’s style as a general manager based on the one year we’ve seen and what he has said. Secondly, while the Lions have a lot of cap money, it isn’t anywhere close to the $103 million Cleveland has. For perspective, the Lions have the least cap space of any team in the NFC North.
There’s also the pending Matthew Stafford extension to consider as well as potential deals with Glover Quin and Ezekiel Ansah to consider. With all that in mind, here’s my quick position-by-position free agency thoughts as to what might happen as Quinn gets to work.
Quarterback:
Not much doing here.
Running back:
This seems like a position where the Lions will make a move toward a power back in the draft. It would be highly surprising if they went after one of the big-ticket free agents here because of the composition of their room at present and the age on those rushers. If Detroit were to make a move here, it would likely be similar to what the Lions did last year with Stevan Ridley – cheap and not much guaranteed. Who that back is – if anyone – likely won’t shake out for a little while.
Wide receiver:
This is a spot where Detroit needs some depth help behind Marvin Jones and Golden Tate. TJ Jones and Jace Billingsley are intriguing depth options if they want to avoid the market altogether. The could use a draft pick here, and/or they could re-sign their own free agents if Anquan Boldin decides he wants to play at age 36 and if Andre Roberts feels he can’t get more on the open market. Players like Kenny Britt and Brandon LaFell would be fits who end up out of the Lions' price range. Based on Roberts and Boldin, a second- or third-tier player could make sense, such as Marquise Goodwin or Andrew Hawkins.
Tight end:
Detroit needs a tight end and did a lot of research there at the combine. Martellus Bennett and Jack Doyle are the top of the free-agent market and while the Lions might ask around, it likely will be too rich. A next-tier tight end such as Dion Sims could be as high as Detroit might go – if that. Otherwise, a cheaper in-line tight end such as Luke Willson or Anthony Fasano could fit. Don’t rule out the Lions re-signing one of their own, too.
Offensive line:
The Lions could lose Riley Reiff and Larry Warford to free agency. While it would seem to make sense to go after Warford if the Lions want to make a play at a big-name interior lineman, T.J. Lang could be in play if Green Bay doesn’t re-sign him. There’s a chance the Lions stay put on the interior, too. Rick Wagner, the best tackle on the market, will probably be too pricey for Detroit. A vet such as Sebastian Vollmer will be a name to watch if he’s healthy, with the Lions looking to draft a long-term solution. If the Lions were to go younger, Mike Remmers or Byron Bell could be a fit. Bringing back restricted free agent Cornelius Lucas on either an original-round tender or another deal could be a possibility as depth – particularly with a weak draft and free-agent class.
Defensive line:
The Lions need a pass-rusher but that might have to wait until the draft, especially since it is deep at the position. A rotational end could be the move, whether that’s an older vet such as Chris Long (whom the Lions looked at last year) or a younger option such as Jabaal Sheard. Armonty Bryant could return as well, which might soften the need for a younger player. Detroit needs interior help, and there’s a chance the Lions will keep Khyri Thornton on a tender. But don’t expect a big name here unless the Lions want to spend big on Michigan native Johnathan Hankins or Nick Fairley. The price point on Hankins feels like it would be too high for the Lions to compete for him and fill other needs. Tackle feels like a depth spot with some work in the draft. But figure to see actual movement.
Linebacker:
Dont'a Hightower is the big prize here, but it could be too rich for Detroit with Spotrac predicting his value over $10 million per season. There should be a signing or two, although the draft could be enticing here as well. Josh Bynes as a re-signing would make sense as he’s familiar with Detroit. Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reported the Lions are poking around on Paul Worrilow so that could be a more reasonable name to watch, but there will be competition.
Secondary:
Logan Ryan should be the main target here and if Detroit does make a big move – barring the unexpected in the front seven or the offensive line – he might be it. It would give Detroit a strong secondary and flexibility with Ryan and Nevin Lawson as slot options, too. If the Lions strike out here, they could go with a cheaper option or wait until the draft, where the class is really deep. At safety, don’t expect a big name, but a mid-range player with sub-package flexibility such as Duron Harmon or Sergio Brown could be a legitimate option – similar to what Rafael Bush brought last season. This could be a stick-and-wait point, especially if the Lions feel like they want to extend Quin down the road.
Specialists:
All good here with a camp leg added late.
