2018 NFL free agency: Can Detroit Lions sign Malcolm Butler?

The free-agent negotiating period opens Monday and the Detroit Lions have holes to fill on both sides of the ball. Here is the seventh installment in a series of position-by-position breakdowns on the top players available in free agency and what the Lions might do at each position:

Your guide to Lions free agency!

QB, RB, WR/TE, OL, DL, LB

Defensive backs

The Lions have three players headed for free agency who played significant roles on defense last year in Nevin Lawson, DJ Hayden and Tavon Wilson, but Bob Quinn said at the combine last week “there’s probably a pretty good chance” their replacements already are on the roster. The Lions drafted a pair of cornerbacks in the first five rounds last season. Teez Tabor will compete for the starting job opposite Darius Slay with whatever free agent the Lions add or re-sign — new secondary coach Brian Stewart coached Hayden for two seasons in college at Houston — and Jamal Agnew could play as the slot corner depending on what the Lions do with Quandre Diggs. At safety, Wilson played for Matt Patricia in New England, so there’s some familiarity there, but it might be time to see if Miles Killebrew can handle an expanded role.

Reports: Richard Sherman agrees to three-year contract with 49ers

The draft this year is deep at cornerback and safety, and there are some intriguing options on the free-agent market. Trumaine Johnson played the last two seasons on the franchise tag and is a virtual lock to leave the Los Angeles Rams this spring. Malcolm Butler’s Patriots career is over; could a reunion with Patricia be in the cards? T.J. Carrie and E.J. Gaines are No. 2-type corners who could be in for big paydays, and Aaron Colvin and Patrick Robinson are top slot defenders. Safety isn’t quite as deep in free agency, and the best player at that position — Eric Reid — won’t be a fit for every team because of his outspoken stance on social issues. For teams that don't like Reid, the oft-injured Morgan Burnett and versatile Kenny Vaccaro also are on the market.

On the Lions’ roster

CB: Darius Slay, Teez Tabor, Jamal Agnew, Des Lawrence, Adairius Barnes; S: Glover Quin, Quandre Diggs, Miles Killebrew, Charles Washington, Rolan Milligan, Stefan McClure

Pending free agents

CB: Nevin Lawson, DJ Hayden; S: Tavon Wilson, Don Carey.

Top free agents

CB Trumaine Johnson

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams have added three new cornerbacks – good ones – to their roster, and free agency hasn’t even started yet. With Marcus Peters, Aqib Talib and Sam Shields on board, Johnson will hit the open market. He’s big and skilled and he should get No. 1 cornerback money, even though he’s not quite in that elite class of cover men.

CB Malcolm Butler

New England Patriots

Why didn’t he play in the Super Bowl?!? That question still lingers as Butler hits the open market, but it won’t prevent some team from throwing money at the hero of the Patriots’ title run three years ago. Butler didn’t have his best season last year, but by all accounts he and Patricia still have a strong relationship.

Three more to watch: Rashaan Melvin, Indianapolis Colts; Ross Cockrell, New York Giants; T.J. Carrie, Oakland Raiders.

S Eric Reid

San Francisco 49ers

Reid is one of the most socially conscious players in the NFL, someone who took a knee alongside Colin Kaepernick during the national anthem in 2016 and continued his protests last season. He’s a good player, but not a superstar, and his time in San Francisco appears up. It will be interesting to see how teams approach him in free agency.

S Kenny Vaccaro

New Orleans Saints

Vaccaro told Nola.com that he’s healthy after undergoing core muscle surgery in December, and if that’s the case he shouldn’t lack suitors. Vaccaro can play either safety position and at 27 years old remains in the prime of his career. He’s expected to land elsewhere in free agency.

S Tre Boston

Los Angeles Chargers

A year after he was cut by the Carolina Panthers, Boston should find a healthy free-agent market coming off a season when he had five interceptions and played nearly every defensive snap. The Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers were the other teams that showed interest in Boston last year, and it stands to reason they could be in the market for Boston again.

Three more to watch: Morgan Burnett, Green Bay Packers; Corey Graham, Philadelphia Eagles; Bradley McDougald, Seattle Seahawks.

One wildcard

Tyrann Mathieu

Arizona Cardinals

It’s been a busy offseason for defensive backs already, with the Denver Broncos finalizing the trade of Talib on Thursday and the Kansas Chiefs trading Peters last month. Mathieu is another well-regarded defensive back who could be on the move after he reportedly balked at taking a pay cut. The Cardinals have until March 14 to pick up the option on Mathieu’s contract or the versatile safety will be on the move.

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

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