Dave Birkett

Detroit Free Press

The Detroit Lions have 19 unrestricted free agents, all of whom can start negotiating with other teams today. General manager Bob Quinn has said discussions are ongoing with two of the team’s most attractive free agents, Riley Reiff and Larry Warford, and several players already have been informed they don’t fit in the team’s future plans. Here’s a look at each one of the team’s unrestricted free agents, and their chance to return. Players are listed in order of likelihood to return.

Riley Reiff

Position: Offensive tackle.

Age: 28.

How acquired: Drafted, first round in 2012.

2016 stats: 14 games played, 14 starts.

2016 salary: $8.07 million.

Outlook: Reiff moved to right tackle last year after starting the previous three seasons at left tackle. He’s a solid player, not quite Pro Bowl caliber, but on today’s market that means big money. The Minnesota Vikings are among the teams rumored to be interested in Reiff, whose versatility could push him out of the Lions’ price range.

Chances of returning: 49%.

Josh Bynes

Position: Linebacker.

Age: 27.

How acquired: Signed off Baltimore Ravens practice squad in 2014.

2016 stats: Nine games played, eight starts, 38 tackles.

2016 salary: $900,000.

Outlook: Bynes was cut after suffering a knee injury in training camp, but he returned in midseason and immediately helped a linebacking unit that was sorely lacking in depth. The Lions and Bynes have had talks about returning, and if the two sides can sort out the money, a reunion makes sense for both sides.

Chances of returning: 45%.

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Armonty Bryant

Position: Defensive end.

Age: 26.

How acquired: Claimed off waivers from the Cleveland Browns in 2016.

2016 stats: Five games played, five tackles, three sacks.

2016 salary: $675,000.

Outlook: Bryant had a weird year, playing for two teams, serving two suspensions and finishing the season on injured reserve. The Lions gave him a shot when few other teams would, and he rewarded them with solid play as a situational pass rusher. At some point it seems a reunion could be in the works.

Chances of returning: 40%.

Anquan Boldin

Position: Wide receiver.

Age: 36.

How acquired: Signed as a free agent in 2016.

2016 stats: 16 games played, 16 starts, 67 catches, 584 yards, eight touchdowns.

2016 salary: $1.55 million.

Outlook: Boldin turned out to be one of the best bargain signings of last year as he led the Lions in touchdowns despite not joining the team until July. He said last month that he still hasn’t decided if he’ll play another season, and some people close to him remained in the dark about his future last week. The Lions need a No. 3 receiver and have reached out on potential free agents, but Boldin would be an inexpensive fallback.

Chances of returning: 37.5%.

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Jon Bostic

Position: Linebacker.

Age: 25.

How acquired: Traded from New England Patriots in 2016.

2016 stats: Did not play.

2016 salary: $842,381.

Outlook: Bostic did not play last season after suffering a foot injury in training camp, and that should limit the number of suitors he has as a free agent. The Lions obviously liked him enough to trade for him last year, and they’re still thin at linebacker. Depending on what shakes in free agency, he could be back.

Chances of returning: 33.3%.

Rafael Bush

Position: Safety.

Age: 29.

How acquired: Signed as a free agent in 2016.

2016 stats: 16 games played, four starts, 53 tackles, two interceptions.

2016 salary: $1 million.

Outlook: Bush was productive as the Lions’ No. 3 safety last year and is good veteran insurance for Tavon Wilson. Two things are in play, however. One, Bush may be looking for an expanded role if there’s an opportunity to start somewhere. And two, the Lions have Miles Killebrew, who appears ready for more action.

Chances of returning: 33.3%.

Stefan Charles

Position: Defensive tackle.

Age: 29.

How acquired: Signed as a free agent in 2016.

2016 stats: 12 games played, 12 tackles.

2016 salary: $1 million.

Outlook: The Lions signed Charles as a non-tendered restricted free agent last year and didn’t quite get the return on investment they had hoped. Charles did play as a rotational lineman before a sprained knee sent him to injured reserve, and he could return in a similar capacity this fall.

Chances of returning: 33.3%.

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Clay Harbor

Position: Tight end.

Age: 29.

How acquired: Signed as a free agent in 2016.

2016 stats: 12 games played, two starts, three catches, 19 yards.

2016 salary: $760,000.

Outlook: Harbor was a solid role player for the Lions last year, playing on most special-teams units and as a backup tight end. He’s probably looking at a minimum salary benefit type deal and will have to earn a roster spot at training camp if returns.

Chances of returning: 30%.

Andre Roberts

Position: Wide receiver.

Age: 29.

How acquired: Signed as a free agent in 2016.

2016 stats: 16 games played, one start, 14 catches, 188 yards, 1 TD, two punt return touchdowns.

2016 salary: $760,000.

Outlook: Roberts played sparingly as the Lions’ No. 4 receiver last year, but he was the team’s top return man all season. He shouldn’t cost much, and won’t be guaranteed a job if he does sign as the Lions are high on Jace Billingsley and interested in adding another receiver to their room.

Chances of returning: 27.5%.

Larry Warford

Position: Offensive guard.

Age: 25.

How acquired: Drafted, third round in 2013.

2016 stats: 15 games played, 15 starts.

2016 salary: $1.646 million.

Outlook: Warford is headed for a big payday coming off one of his best seasons and with the offensive line market ready to explode. General manager Bob Quinn said the team has talked to Warford about a possible return, but the fact is Warford is one of the three best free-agent guards available, he’ll make $8 million or so on the open market and the Lions have two potential replacements in house. One thing to watch: The Lions have shown interest in T.J. Lang as a replacement. If they’re going to spend the money on a veteran, they might as well pony up for their own.

Chances of returning: 25%

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Tim Wright

Position: Tight end.

Age: 27.

How acquired: Traded from Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015.

2016 stats: Did not play.

2016 salary: $675,000.

Outlook: Wright missed all of last season with a torn ACL, but is currently training in Atlanta as he prepares for a return. The Lions don’t have any locks to make the roster at tight end behind Eric Ebron and need help at the position. There’s a chance Wright, who’s up to 253 pounds, could return this spring.

Chances of returning: 20%.

Devin Taylor

Position: Defensive end.

Age: 27.

How acquired: Drafted fourth round in 2013.

2016 stats: 16 games played, 16 starts, 28 tackles, 4.5 sacks.

2016 salary: $675,000.

Outlook: Taylor started every game at left end but wasn’t quite as productive as he was during a breakout 2015. The Lions are clearly in the market for an upgrade at the position and didn’t think enough of Taylor to offer him an extension during the season. All signs point to Taylor going elsewhere.

Chances of returning: 15%.

Tyrunn Walker

Position: Defensive tackle.

Age: 26.

How acquired: Signed as a free agent in 2015.

2016 stats: 15 games played, eight starts, 26 tackles.

2016 salary: $800,000.

Outlook: Walker broke his leg four games into the 2015 season and was in and out of the lineup in his return last year. He was a solid rotational player, but lost his starting job to rookie A’Shawn Robinson midway through the year. After missing a playtime incentive by seven snaps, it’d be a surprise if Walker returns, though stranger things have happened.

Chances of returning: 15%.

Crezdon Butler

Position: Cornerback.

Age: 27.

How acquired: Signed as a free agent in 2016.

2016 stats: One game played, two tackles.

2016 salary: $760,000.

Outlook: Butler was one of several late-season additions on this list, returning to the team in December after he was cut in training camp. He does not factor into the Lions’ long-term plans, but given his comings and goings the last few years is a mini defensive back version of Andre Fluellen.

Chances of returning: 5%.

Garrett Reynolds

Position: Offensive lineman.

Age: 29.

How acquired: Signed as a free agent in January.

2016 stats: Did not play.

2016 salary: $885,000.

Outlook: The Lions signed Reynolds before their playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks after injuries ravaged their offensive line. The well-traveled veteran will reach free agency this week, but given his low cost and the state of the Lions’ offensive line there’s always a chance he return somewhere down the line.

Chances of returning: 5%.



Matthew Mulligan

Position: Tight end.

Age: 32.

How acquired: Signed as a free agent in 2016.

2016 stats: Eight games played, one catch, 8 yards.

2016 salary: $885,000.

Outlook: Mulligan does not currently fit in the Lions’ plans for 2017. While the Lions are expected to address the tight end position in free agency and/or the draft, there’s an outside chance Mulligan could return later this year.

Chances of returning: 2%.

Asa Jackson

Position: Cornerback.

Age: 27.

How acquired: Signed off the Baltimore Ravens practice squad in 2016.

2016 stats: Four games played, two starts, seven tackles.

2016 salary: $760,000.

Outlook: The Lions added Jackson to the roster late in the season because of his familiarity with defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, but he struggled in his brief stint at nickel cornerback before an ankle injury sent him to injured reserve. The Lions don’t currently have plans to bring him back.

Chances of returning: 2%.

Joique Bell

Position: Running back.

Age: 30.

How acquired: Signed as a free agent in 2016.

2016 stats: Seven games played, three carries, 6 yards.

2016 salary: $760,000.

Outlook: Bell signed with the Lions at midseason last year after a brief stint with the Chicago Bears and did not get a carry in Detroit. The Lions have indicated to him that he doesn’t currently fit in their plans in 2017. They’re expected to draft a running back later this spring.

Chances of returning: 1%.

Dan Orlovsky

Position: Quarterback.

Age: 33.

How acquired: Signed as a free agent in 2014.

2016 stats: Did not play.

2016 salary: $985,000.

Outlook: The Lions already have informed Orlovsky that they intend to use Jake Rudock as their backup quarterback this fall. Orlovsky still wants to play and could interest some teams as a second wave free agent. If he doesn’t, there’s always the chance he returns due to injury during the season.

Chances of returning: 0.1%.

Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Download our Lions Xtra app for free on Apple and Android!