Here's a quick look at the top three positional needs for the Lions:

1. Offensive tackle: While the Lions' offensive line improved over the second half of the season, right tackle continued to be a major issue. Michael Ola, who was claimed off waivers at midseason, offered improvement, but Detroit needs to find a long-term solution to two seasons of blocking woes. If Detroit were to take a tackle in the first round -- Notre Dame's Ronnie Stanley and Michigan State's Jack Conklin could be names to watch -- it could give the Lions the flexibility to keep Riley Reiff on the left side or try to move him to the right side. Protecting Matthew Stafford is the key, and getting more help up front is a massive need.

Michigan State tackle Jack Conklin could be a first-round option for the Lions that would allow them to have flexibility up front. Rey Del Rio/Getty Images

2. Defensive tackle: Haloti Ngata and Tyrunn Walker are free agents. The Lions have not gotten much out of last season's fourth-round pick, Gabe Wright, and the interior of the defensive line is still missing a playmaker. The Lions could have solved this two drafts ago by selecting Aaron Donald, but having a young, talented presence up front to solidify the defensive line is a key. Of course, if the Lions change coaching staffs or if defensive coordinator Teryl Austin lands a head-coaching gig, the defensive front could change and the type of tackle Detroit would be searching for would be altered.

3. Linebacker: Tahir Whitehead is a free agent. DeAndre Levy is coming off a season-long hip injury, and the Lions have a tough decision to make with Stephen Tulloch, who is due for a $7.3 million cap hit next season. So there could be a bunch of turnover in the linebacker corps for 2016 -- and this could also be affected by the potential changes mentioned above. Even if the Lions kept Tulloch, drafting the middle linebacker of the future would be something Detroit needs to consider. Alabama's Reggie Ragland and UCLA's Myles Jack could be two names to watch, as well as Notre Dame's Jaylon Smith if he were to fall in the draft due to his knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl.