Upper Echelon - High Pricetag
I didn't include positions like DE, CB, or RB here because those positions tend to be really expensive. I think you can do better in the draft. LB, WR, and DT are all positions of great need, and they tend to take longer for a draft pick at one of those positions to develop into a quality starter. It should go without saying, but the Lions would need to absolutely shell out to get one of these guys.
LB - Dont'a Hightower
The word is he wants to explore the market, which makes it unlikely that the Patriots will re-sign him. They tend to let the higher priced vets go in lieu of overpaying. Anyway, the Lions DESPERATELY need a decent LB. MLB Tahir Whitehead ranked dead last by PFF out of all starting LBs, and Levy can't be relied upon to play another snap. Hightower will cost some cash, but the Lions need to shore up the LB position more than any other.
WR - Alshon Jeffrey
Even with Tate and Jones, the Lions are pretty weak at WR. I actually thought this position would be a strength, but that was assuming that Marvin Jones was capable of playing like a #2 WR, or even a #1b. He started strong, but he faded badly down the stretch. Jeffrey would give the Lions a legit #1 WR, allow Tate to move into the slot and be more of the Swiss Army WR that he should be, and Jones would be the 2nd deep threat.
DT - Dontari Poe
The Lions' D line was pretty terrible in rushing the passer or getting stuffs (31st in power rank, 29th in stuffs, 25th in pass rushing). They consistently were pushed back on running plays, and Haloti Ngata looks flat-out DONE. A'Shawn Robinson seems to be rounding into a nice player, but he's really all they've got. Poe is coming off of a down year, but he's been to a couple of Pro Bowls and should be, if not a star, at least the high quality DT they've lacked since Suh left.
Middle Echelon - Guys with Upside
We're still talking about doing an overpay, but it'll be less drastic with this level of player, and the Lions might be in a position to offer a more modest deal with incentives.
DT - Johnathan Hankins
Hankins is coming off of his rookie deal and looking to get PAID. The Giants can't afford to put that much money on their D line. Hankins is a mid-level DT with upside, the hope is that the Lions could get him for about $6M/yr, plus incentives.
S - TJ McDonald
The Lions are pretty old at the safety, and their two starting safeties from 2016 are both on expiring contracts. McDonald is 26, can play the ball in the air, and can hit. They could also target safety in the draft, or hope that Killebrew develops.
LB - Barry Minter
It sounds like Minter is poised to leave AZ, and if the Jets call, it's a good bet he ends up there. If they don't, he'd be a great fit to take over the MLB position from Whitehead, who's been awful. Minter isn't lightning quick, but he's great vs. the run and can defend the pass.
WR - Robert Woods
Another solution to the WR problem would be to just get a bunch of slot WR-types, like NE, and spend all day finding holes in the defense. It sounds like Woods wants a more pass-heavy offense and more stability at QB. Provided we sign Stafford to an extension, he'll have that in spades here. Shouldn't be a hard sell.
Lower Echelon - Bargains
I've stocked this category with guys who are either boom-or-bust candidates, or guys that are solid but have very limited upside.
TE - Dion Sims
The Lions do not have a blocking TE on the roster. Sims isn't a big receiving threat, but he's an outstanding blocker. And while he's not the big play threat that Ebron is, Sims still has decent ability as a pass catcher.
CB - Brandon Carr
Basically, think of the good days we had with Rashean Mathis and that's what you can expect with Carr. He's on the older side for a DB, but he's good enough to hold down the right side and allow Slay to get a break and not have to follow the other team's #1 all over the field.
TE - Anthony Fasano
He's a bit long in the tooth at 32, but Fasano is still the best blocking TE in the league. His impact in the passing game would be minimal though.
LB - Manti Teo
He's not very durable, but he's a good LB when healthy. Teo's never completed a full season, averaging 9.5 games played, and he's coming off of a big injury. Pack his contract full of incentives, so if the injury bug bites again, you don't take the big hit. This would be a swing for the fences signing.
RB - Eddie Lacy
Same thing here. Lacy was looking good before the injury. Pack in the incentives so that he's paid like a #1 back if he finishes the year with the team.
I'll be back with a draft post sometime after the combine. Even filling some of these positions in free agency, we still need to draft. I'd say our draft needs are DE, CB, and LB, in that order. This defense really needs help. A lot of people have mentioned the RB Joe Mixon as a possibility for the Lions, since GM Bob Quinn mentioned his name at the combine. I don't think that means Quinn is looking to take a RB in the first or even 2nd round. Quinn had a pretty good, albeit boring, draft last year. Taking Mixon high would definitely be a step in the other direction, if he goes that way.
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