The Detroit Lions are setting their sights on the free agency period and thinking about what to do, and one of the objects of their affection figures to be defensive end Trey Flowers. Detroit likes Flowers, but a decision remains to be seen in the coming days regarding whether or not they will chase the big product thanks to the large contract that he is likely to command on the open market.

Recently, Chad Forbes tweeted that the Lions figured to have interest in Flowers and like the player, but the question seems to be will they spend the money on him when all is said and done.

"Trey Flowers’ landing spot one more intriguing storylines of FA, along with Le’Veon Bell. Market on most players fairly well identified. With Flowers, interest is widespread. Lions LOVE player obviously- but do they spend the $? Chiefs / Dolphins same dynamic," Forbes tweeted.

It makes sense that the Lions would love Flowers considering the fit he would have within their defense given his time under Matt Patricia. But spending the money? That's long been the big question. This past week, a bidding war was said to potentially be on the horizon by CBS Sports reporter Jason La Canfora for Flowers from Detroit and the Tennessee Titans' perspective.

Flowers, 25, was drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Arkansas. He essentially redshirted his rookie season, but has quickly evolved into one of the more impactful pass rushers for the Patriots. With Flowers, the Patriots should be able to stabilize that pass rush as the defensive end was able to total 6.5 sacks, 28 quarterback hits and 24 pressures last season. He's also led the team in sacks both in 2016 and 2017, while proving he can also come up in the clutch as evidence of his two and a half sacks in Super Bowl LI against the Falcons.

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Interestingly enough, many early mocks have had the Lions looking elsewhere than along the defensive front. Cornerback has also been alluded to as one of the team's bigger draft needs coming up. Detroit's next draft, whatever pick they might land, is going to have to be heavy along the defensive front. The Lions need some depth there and more playmakers, and that's without even figuring in the fact that they could lose Ansah and could also lose Ricky Jean Francois, who are on one year deals.

Flowers, who's not likely to come cheaply due to age, could make a tom of sense for Detroit as a scheme fit and could take some of the pressure off of the Lions drafting a player in round one at the position no matter where they pick. He also has age and time on his side, and would be a quick study to plug into the Detroit defense.

Obviously, the Lions have some major building to do along their defensive line in the coming seasons in the draft and free agency, and one could expect them to target those spots most in the coming year when it comes to upgrades. But even without those future players and their arrivals, the Lions have been pretty good already, especially against running quarterbacks, which should be downright scary for the opposition. As the Lions have figured out how to stop the run consistently, the whole group has gotten better.

Whether or not the Lions go in on Flowers is yet to be seen, but clearly, they do like him. How much is the only question.