Dave Birkett

Detroit Free Press

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- The Detroit Lions have a number of 2013 draft picks who could be in line for contract extensions this off-season.

And while general manager Bob Quinn said talks won’t pick up until after next month’s NFL draft, one of the team’s top priorities could be striking a new deal with punter Sam Martin.

Martin, a fifth-round pick out of Appalachian State, has been one of the best punters in the NFL since he entered the league three years ago.

He averaged a net of 42 yards per punt last year, fifth-best in the league. He handles kickoffs, an added value with kicker Matt Prater entering his 32-year-old season. And he recently changed agents, signing with Sean Kiernan and Erik Burkhardt of Select Sports, in a signal that he’s amenable to a new deal.

“Sam’s been a very, very clutch performer for us of late,” Lions coach Jim Caldwell said at the NFL’s annual spring meetings Wednesday. “Obviously, the punt is one of the most important plays in football because of the field-position change, and he’s been very good in that regard. And he’s a young player, but that’s the exciting thing about him. So I anticipate seeing him getting better and better.”

The Lions have a half-dozen players from the 2013 draft whom they hope will be key contributors this fall and beyond.

Second-round pick Darius Slay has had ongoing talks with the team about a new deal. The Lions plan to pick up first-rounder Ziggy Ansah’s fifth-year option later this spring. And Larry Warford (third round), Devin Taylor (fourth) and Theo Riddick (sixth) join Martin, 26, as priorities to keep around.

With more than $24 million in available cap space after the release or trade of linebacker Stephen Tulloch is complete, several deals could happen this off-season.

“We have some meetings planned here in the next -- after the draft, probably,” Quinn said. “But we’re trying to take it one step at a time. Free agency, the draft and then there’s time to do extensions after that.”

Birk's-eye View podcast with Lions punter Sam Martin

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

Download our free Lions Xtra app on your Apple and Android devices.