Dave Birkett

Detroit Free Press

The Lions have needs across the board on both sides of the ball. Free Press sports writer Dave Birkett prioritizes their needs on a scale of 1-5 and takes a stab at what they do:

Quarterback (Need 1 out of 5)

On the roster: Matthew Stafford, Jake Rudock.

Lions free agents: Dan Orlovsky.

Top available free agents: Kirk Cousins, Matt Barkley, Mike Glennon.

The Lions haven’t been serious players in the quarterback free-agent market in a decade and that’s not about to change anytime soon. Stafford is the unquestioned starter, and he’s in line for a mega contract extension this off-season. Rudock is ready to be the backup after spending half of last season on practice squad. The team already has informed Dan Orlovsky that he won’t be back in 2017, though Orlovsky would like to continue his playing career.

Prediction: The Lions sit tight with Stafford and Rudock, and add an undrafted rookie in May as a camp arm.

Ten free-agent fits for the Detroit Lions

Running back (3 out of 5)

On the roster: Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick, Zach Zenner, Dwayne Washington, Mike James, Michael Burton.

Lions free agents: Joique Bell.

Top available free agents: Adrian Peterson, Latavius Murray, Eddie Lacy.

The Lions finished 30th in the NFL in rushing last season and have made no secret of the fact they need improve the ground game this spring. It doesn’t make sense to spend on the position in free agency, however, especially given the depth at running back in the draft. Both Abdullah and Riddick are returning from season-ending injuries, and while they’re expected to be full participants in off-season workouts, the Lions still need insurance for their backfield.

Prediction: The Lions wait to address running back till the draft.

Wide receivers (3 out of 5)

On the roster: Golden Tate, Marvin Jones, Jace Billingsley, Jared Abbrederis, Ryan Spadola, Andrew Turzilli.

Lions free agents: Anquan Boldin, Andre Roberts, TJ Jones (exclusive rights).

Top available free agents: Alshon Jeffery, Terrelle Pryor, Kenny Stills.

A year ago, the Lions signed the best wide receiver on the market in Marvin Jones. And while they’re locked in with Jones and Tate as their top two receivers, the Lions are still looking for help at the position. Boldin is still weighing whether to play another year and Roberts could be back on the cheap to handle return duties. Ideally, the Lions would add a red-zone threat who can make contested catches. The problem is, prices on the second-tier receiver market could go bananas, making even players like Kenny Britt and Pierre Garcon too expensive.

Prediction: The Lions make a play for Britt, but end up waiting to sign a vet a more reasonably priced deal a few days into free agency.

Tight ends (4 out of 5)

On the roster: Eric Ebron, Cole Wick, Kennard Backman, Khari Lee.

Lions free agents: Tim Wright, Matthew Mulligan, Clay Harbor.

Top available free agents: Martellus Bennett, Jack Doyle, Vernon Davis.

The Lions have one tight end currently under contract who’s guaranteed to be on their 2017 roster in Ebron. Beyond that, they have a handful of young players who’ll compete for the No. 3 job. Given Ebron’s limitations as a blocker, it makes sense for the Lions to add an every-down option who can help in the run game. Players like Bennett and Doyle might ultimately be too expensive, while Levine Toilolo (Atlanta Falcons) or Luke Willson (Seattle Seahawks) would be a nice addition if they don't re-sign with their current team.

Prediction: The Lions retain Harbor, sign Logan Paulsen to complement to Ebron and double back with someone in the draft.

Offensive line (4 out of 5)

On the roster: OT Taylor Decker, Corey Robinson, Matt Rotheram; OG Graham Glasgow, Laken Tomlinson, Joe Dahl, Brandon Thomas; C Travis Swanson.

Lions free agents: OT Riley Reiff, Cornelius Lucas (restricted); OG Larry Warford, Garrett Reynolds.

Top available free agents: Ricky Wagner, Andrew Whitworth, Kevin Zeitler.

The Lions could potentially lose the entire right side of their offensive line to free agency as both Reiff and Warford have expiring contracts. They’ve been in talks to bring both players back, and would like to keep some veteran presence on their offensive line, but there’s good money to be had for free agents. Beyond their own free agents, the Lions are interested in signing players like Wagner and T.J. Lang, though the $8 million-plus that Wagner will command might be too steep for the Lions’ blood. If nothing else, the Lions have two potential in-house replacements at guard in Dahl and Tomlinson.

Detroit Lions facing free-agent conundrum along offensive line

Prediction: Both Reiff and Warford sign elsewhere in free agency, and after the Lions strike out on Wagner and Lang opts to stay in Green Bay, they add veteran Mike Remmers to play right tackle.

Defensive line (5 out of 5)

On the roster: DE Ziggy Ansah, Anthony Zettel; DT Haloti Ngata, A’Shawn Robinson.

Lions free agents: DE Armonty Bryant, Devin Taylor, Kerry Hyder (exclusive rights), Brandon Copeland (exclusive rights); DT Stefan Charles, Tyrunn Walker, Khyri Thornton (restricted).

Top available free agents: Brandon Williams, Nick Perry, Calais Campbell.

With only four players under contract, defensive line is the Lions’ most pressing need. Hyder and Copeland are locks to be back, and Thornton is worth a tender a well. Beyond that, the Lions should be in the mix for help at both end and tackle. They need a left end to replace Taylor, who’s expected to land elsewhere, and depth on the line.

Detroit Lions looking for 'a dog' on the defensive line

Prediction: Charles and Bryant return, the Lions add a mid-priced end and after checking in on Johnathan Hankins make a less notable signing at tackle, someone like Zach Kerr if he’s not tendered in Indianapolis.

Linebacker (4 out of 5)

On the roster: DeAndre Levy, Tahir Whitehead, Antwione Williams, Thurston Armbrister, Brandon Chubb, Steve Longa.

Lions free agents: Josh Bynes, Jon Bostic.

Top available free agents: Dont’a Hightower, Zach Brown, Todd Davis (restricted).

There’s no doubt that the Lions are interested in Hightower, one of the best players on the market, but it also seems unlikely they’ll pay his asking price of more than $12 million per season. If the Lions were to add Hightower, that would dramatically affect their defense and perhaps cause a ripple effect at the position. For now, Whitehead is penciled in at middle linebacker and Levy will return at his $5.75 million base salary, though the Lions need insurance for his health.

DeAndre Levy is in the Detroit Lions' 2017 plans (for now)

Prediction: Hightower ultimately proves too expensive for the Lions, who re-sign Bynes and add Sam Barrington or Paul Worrilow in free agency.

Cornerback (4 out of 5)

On the roster: Darius Slay, Nevin Lawson, Quandre Diggs, Johnson Bademosi, Adairius Barnes, Alex Carter, Ian Wells, Rolan Milligan.

Lions free agents: Crezdon Butler, Asa Jackson.

Top available free agents: Stephon Gilmore, A.J. Bouye, Morris Claiborne.

Bob Quinn made a point to note the Lions’ lack of interceptions (just 10 in 2016) at the combine this week, and it’s clear the team would like to upgrade the secondary. It might be tough to convince one of the top corners to come to Detroit, but Quinn has a long history with Patriots free agent Logan Ryan. Ryan can play both slot and outside cornerback, so his versatility would be a big plus. If the Lions strike out on Ryan, expect them to hit the nickel cornerback market for a player like Robert McClain.

Prediction: The Lions sign Ryan to a four- or five-year deal as their biggest splash in free agency.

Safety (2 out of 5)

On the roster: Glover Quin, Tavon Wilson, Miles Killebrew, Don Carey.

Lions free agents: Rafael Bush.

Top available free agents: Tony Jefferson, Johnathan Cyprien, Barry Church.

With starters Quin and Wilson both under contract for one more year, this is more a long-term need than a short-term one for the Lions. Killebrew is expected to take over as the team’s No. 3 safety this year, but the Lions still would like to add one player at the position. It won’t be a top-of-the-market guy, but they could make a run at someone like Duron Harmon, who might be willing to leave New England for more money and a bigger role.

Prediction: The Lions don’t have the playing time available to add a significant free agent, but they do take another young safety in the draft.

Specialists (1 out of 5)

On the roster: P Sam Martin, K Matt Prater, LS Don Muhlbach, LS Jimmy Landes.

Lions free agents: None.

Top available free agents: Steven Hauschka, Brandon McManus (restricted), Cairo Santos (restricted).

The Lions had one of the best special-teams units in the NFL last year with Martin punting, Prater kicking and the ageless Muhlbach handling the long-snapping duties. After re-signing Muhlbach this week, the Lions have all of their specialists under contract for 2017. Muhlbach will face a challenge for his job from Landes, last year’s sixth-round pick, but otherwise the Lions only need to add a camp leg.

Prediction: It’s status quo on special teams for the Lions.

Related:

Dave Birkett's 2017 NFL mock draft (1.0)

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

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