2012 NFL Free Agents: Nine Free Agents the Detroit Lions Should Pursue

It's the offseason, and as you know, the Detroit Lions have a lot of work to do.

We know the Lions need some major upgrades in the secondary. They need to work on linebackers, the defensive line, the offensive line and running back—in no particular order.

According to MLive.com, General Manager Martin Mayhew has publicly stated that he wants to focus on re-signing his own players. However, it is imperative that the Lions bring in some outside help. There are several names available in key positions, too.

For once, the Lions have the benefit of not picking in the Top Five, so they are not required to pay their top pick top-tier money. However, they do have some serious financial issues to face.

The new salary cap will undoubtedly hit the Lions hard, but they have a few options to go against it. They could either franchise defensive end Cliff Avril and re-sign linebacker Stephen Tulloch to a one year deal, or vice-versa.

They could also theoretically let both of them go and bring in replacements, or restructure Kyle Vanden Bosh's contract. Plus there's still the Calvin Johnson issue, too.

So with that said, here is a list of some potential free agents I feel the Lions should—I said SHOULD—take a look at this offseason.

9. Jeff Backus, Offensive Tackle

Should Jeff Backus re-sign with the Lions, it will likely be on the cheap side. The only reason I suggest re-signing him is because at the moment, the Lions have no one to replace him. Jason Fox has been on injured reserve the past two seasons, and Corey Hilliard's best side is the right side.

Backus is familiar with the Schwartz's system and he a tenured veteran.

Yes, the penalties are frustrating with him, but the soon-to-be 11-year veteran is still a hometown guy and does bring some stability to the left side—the 2010 Julius Peppers hit and his several bouts with Jared Allen aside.

Backus is not an extreme priority, but he still makes sense for the Lions fiscally until they can find a replacement.

8. Cortland Finnegan, Cornerback

Cortland Finnegan's name is going to be bandied about a lot this offseason, and it would behoove the Lions to take a flier for a few reasons.

For one, Finnegan is only 27 years old, so they can still get a few years out of him.

And, since he is not necessarily a top-tier cornerback, a la Darelle Revis, the Lions will not be forced to pay him top-dollar.

Then there is the Jim Schwartz factor. Finnegan played for Schwartz when Schwartz was the defensive coordinator. While there are questions about his character, Schwartz was able to keep him in check—like he did Albert Haynesworth.

7. Cliff Avril, Defensive End

Believe it or not, I want the Lions to re-up with Avril. He had a great season this year with Ndamukong Suh having a bit of a down year, and he is a force on the defensive line.

The Lions have made it clear they want to re-sign Avril, and Avril has made it clear he wants to come back. Now the Lions face the decision whether to franchise him or sign him long term.

6. Stephen Tulloch, Middle Linebacker

Why not, right?

The Lions want to keep Tulloch, who, for all intents and purposes, was the surest tackler for the Lions this season. Granted, he did miss several big plays, but the good outweighed the bad.

Tulloch is the Lions' third middle linebacker in three seasons, following DeAndre Levy and Larry Foote. Much like Cortland Finnegan, Tulloch knows the Schwartz system, and fits in well with the Lions.

Like Cliff Avril, Stephen Tulloch is one of the Lions' top priorities this season, and Martin Mayhew has already expressed an interest in re-signing him long term.

5. Osi Umenyiora, Defensive End

Osi Umenyiora leads the class of defensive ends this offseason.

Umenyiora has publicly stated numerous times his disdain for the New York Giants' front office, and is playing for a new contract.

If the Lions can't afford to keep Avril, with a little restructuring from Kyle Vanden Bosh, the Lions could afford to take a flyer on this current Giants' defensive end. He might come a little too pricey, though.

4. Brent Grimes, Cornerback

Brent Grimes did not necessarily have the greatest of seasons in terms of numbers, however, the fourth-year corner for the Falcons would make a good depth signing and someone who could come in to play nickel for the Lions.

Grimes did have 49 tackles this season, and he proved to be a decent compliment to Dunta Robinson, but I think the numbers might steer teams away.

As a depth signing though, if the Lions can't bring back Eric Wright, Grimes makes sense here—especially if you can get him on a one-year deal.

3. Eric Wright, Cornerback

Sticking with the theme of bringing back your own, the Lions will likely take a flyer on Eric Wright.

While Wright may not have played the best this season, depending on who you ask, he has played well enough to warrant a return to the Motor City.

Like most of the other options available, Wright will come cheap. On a one-year deal, Wright would make sense as a compliment to Chris Houston.

2. Carlos Rogers, Cornerback

Carlos Rogers will likely be the only free agent of this list that the Lions could afford to tender a long-term deal.

Rogers is playing great this year as the No. 1 corner in San Francisco. Should he sign with the Lions, his status might be elevated to No. 1 there as well.

Rogers is still in the prime of his career, too, so the Lions would be hard-pressed to not take a flyer on him.

1. LaRon Landry, Safety

LaRon Landry is likely to be the biggest name on the free agent market in terms of secondary. If the Lions want to make a big splash, Landry would provide a nice complement for Louis Delmas, and he could be viewed as a potential replacement for Amari Spivey.

Like Rogers, the Lions could afford to tender a multi-year deal to LaRon Landry. Landry is also an aggressive hard-hitter, which is just what the Lions like and need.