Dave Birkett

Detroit Free Press

General manager Bob Quinn said the Detroit Lions hope to take a shot at some of the top free agents on the market next week, but might ultimately follow the same blueprint they did last year when they added one big name and a number of other depth signings. Here are 10 players who make sense as Lions' targets:

Dont'a Hightower, LB Patriots: The Lions are among the teams who’ve expressed interest in the best linebacker on the market, but Hightower’s price tag could soar north of $12 million. He has two rings already and wants to see his value in free agency, and the Lions probably won’t set the new standard for middle linebacker pay.

Paul Worrilow, LB Falcons: Worrilow is a more realistic linebacker option for the Lions. He started most of his first three seasons in Atlanta, had 142 tackles in 2014 and is a solid special-teams player, but he lost his starting job when the Falcons drafted Deion Jones last year and might be ready to move on.

Ricky Wagner, RT Ravens: Like Hightower, Wagner is the best player on the market at his position. Like Hightower, Wagner probably will set a new bar for right tackles (somewhere in the $8 million per season range). And like Hightower, the Lions have expressed interest but probably will be outbid at the end of the day.

Mike Remmers, RT Panthers: Bob Quinn has made it clear he wants a veteran presence on the Lions’ offensive line even if Riley Reiff and Larry Warford go elsewhere in free agency. Remmers, a two-year starter in Carolina who turns 28 next month, would qualify.

Ex-agent: Lions' Riley Reiff should test free agency before re-signing

Logan Ryan, CB Patriots: Another perhaps soon-to-be ex-Patriot, Ryan is one of the better cornerbacks on the market and one person familiar with the position said he could approach $10 million per year in free agency. He can play slot or outside cornerback, and would immediately upgrade the secondary.

Duron Harmon, DB Patriots: If the Lions strike out on Ryan, or don’t want to meet his asking price, Harmon is the type of versatile nickel defensive back who’d fill a role in the secondary. He has started 12 games in four seasons in New England and would join another former Patriots safety in Detroit in Tavon Wilson.

Johnathan Hankins, DT Giants: Hankins is a massive 320-pound run stopper who was overlooked while playing next to Damon Harrison last year. He’s also a Detroit native (Southeastern High School) who would fill a sizeable hole on the Lions’ defensive front. If the money’s right, this could be a match.

Zach Kerr, DT Colts: The Lions signed a non-tendered restricted free agent last year in Stefan Charles, and they could go that route again this year if Kerr doesn’t get a contract with the Colts by the start of free agency. The 26-year-old Kerr a big interior lineman suited for a one-gap system.

Kenny Britt, WR Rams: Don’t underestimate the Lions’ current need at receiver. The Lions spent most of last season in their three-receiver package and don’t currently have much beyond Marvin Jones and Golden Tate. Britt can be a red-zone weapon and deep threat, but coming off the best season of his career his asking price isn’t cheap.

Luke Willson, TE Seahawks: The Lions spent plenty of time at the combine evaluating rookie tight ends, but they could use a veteran presence to pair with Eric Ebron, too. Willson is a valuable No. 2 tight end, a good blocker, and he happens to have been raised in the Windsor area so returning to Detroit would almost be a homecoming.

Detroit Lions want more consistency from TE Eric Ebron in 2017

Lions hit free agency with plenty of cap room, but Stafford deal looms

Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.

Download our Lions Xtra app for free on Apple and Android!