Detroit Lions in 2020 free agency: 8 players who could be big hits

With NFL free agency just around the corner in mid-March, the Detroit Lions should be primed to make a run at several key players to fill positions of need.

The Lions will have an estimated $45.1 million in salary-cap space. But with a big contract extension looming for receiver Kenny Golladay, they likely won’t be in the market to sign a free agent to a mega contract like they did last year, when they paid Trey Flowers $90 million.

That doesn’t mean the Lions won’t go after players who could make a big difference for them this season. Here’s a look at some potential 2020 free-agent fits for the team.

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DT Chris Jones, Chiefs

Age: 26 in July.

2019 salary: $790,000.

Quick thoughts: This 6-foot-6 behemoth is one of the NFL’s most disruptive interior defensive linemen. He’s coming off his first Pro Bowl and an outstanding Super Bowl. You can almost hear the Brinks truck backing into his driveway. He has 24.5 sacks the past two years and would be a tremendous addition at a position of dire need.

Salary might be an issue and he wouldn’t be wrong to ask for Aaron Donald-type money. There’s also the chance the Chiefs re-sign him or use the franchise tag, and there are certain to be plenty of suitors if he hits the open market.

QB Case Keenum, Washington

Age: 32 on Monday.

2019 salary: $3.5 million.

Quick thoughts: Keenum is the quintessential journeyman: Never quite good enough to hold on to the starter’s job, but solid enough to keep the ship afloat for a while. He’s the kind of solid, well-traveled veteran who can spell Matthew Stafford without threatening his job security. He’s also the man behind the Minneapolis Miracle, so he has a history of coming up big at the right time.

Keenum seems like the affordable option who would assuage fans’ fears and be good enough to pinch hit and keep the Lions’ playoff hopes alive if they’re playing well.

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CB Bashaud Breeland, Chiefs

Age: Turned 28 in January.

2019 salary: $2 million.

Quick thoughts: If you’ll remember, Breeland made a great heads-up play in the Chiefs’ 34-30 win over the Lions in Week 4, when he scooped up Kerryon Johnson’s goal-line fumble and returned it 100 yards for a score. That’s the kind of keen football sense the Lions need. He also had a nice game in the Super Bowl with a pick that came off Jones’ pressure.

CB Chris Harris, Broncos

Age: 31 in June.

2019 salary: $12.05 million.

Quick thoughts: The Lions reportedly were the only team to make Denver an offer for Harris at the trade deadline, though they were offering less than a third-round pick. There’s obviously interest, but signing Harris to a multiyear deal is different than acquiring him as a midseason rental. The four-time Pro Bowler is a productive and willing tackler and he could add a calming veteran presence if the Lions part ways with Darius Slay.

[ To keep Darius Slay, Lions must make him NFL's highest-paid CB ]

CB Ronald Darby, Eagles

Age: Turned 26 in January.

2019 salary: $4.5 million.

Quick thoughts: After Buffalo traded him to Philadelphia in 2017, Darby played under Cory Undlin — the Lions' new defensive coordinator — when he was the Eagles’ defensive backs coach. Darby missed 20 games with ankle, ACL and hip injuries the past three seasons with the Eagles, though he was the starting corner on the 2017 Super Bowl champions. He had six interceptions in Philly, but was picked on for big plays at times. He’s a young vet familiar with the Lions staff and could come at a friendly price.

CB Byron Jones, Cowboys

Age: 28 in September.

2019 salary: $6.3 million.

Quick thoughts: He likely would want to be paid like a top cornerback, but he has the position flexibility in the defensive backfield that makes him a coveted chess piece. The 2018 Pro Bowler doesn’t have gleaming stats and hasn’t had an interception since 2017, but that’s partly because quarterbacks have tended to stay away from Jones, a smart player who is rarely out of position. He has missed one game in five seasons. It could be hard to justify spending big money on a corner without big stats.

LB Jamie Collins, Patriots

Age: 31 in October.

2019 salary: $2 million.

Quick thoughts: This list wouldn’t be complete without a former Patriot, so here he is. At the right price, Collins would be a valuable addition to a linebacker corps that lacks elite production outside of Devon Kennard. Collins had a complicated past with the Patriots, but when he returned to New England last year in free agency, he put together a good season. He played in every game, had 80 tackles with three forced fumbles and three interceptions, and still flashed that freakish athleticism while attempting to block a field goal after he leapfrogged the offensive line from a stationary position.

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DT Gerald McCoy, Panthers

Age: 32 on Feb. 25.

2019 salary: $8 million.

Quick thoughts: Once upon a time in Detroit, there was a lot of discussion about whether the Lions would use the 2010 No. 2 overall pick on McCoy or Ndamukong Suh. The Lions went with the latter and both players have had great careers. McCoy has had at least five sacks each of the past eight years. He could be a very good and affordable second option if Chris Jones isn’t available.

Contact Carlos Monarrez at cmonarrez@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @cmonarrez.