2012 NFL Free Agents: 8 Second-Tier Free Agents Detroit Lions Should Consider

There are eight second-tier free agents the Detroit Lions should be researching before the 2012 bidding wars begin.

The Lions are finally a team with talent. Check that, young talent. No longer is there a pre-determined outcome based simply on talent discrepancy across all matchups, with the final score nothing more than an exercise in futility.

The Lions now have the talent to play with any team, and just like “adult relations,” after you get some, you want and need more.

The problem for the Lions is they are already above the projected cap number for 2012. The probability of the Lions signing the premier free agents this offseason is lower than a successful marriage cultivated from The Bachelor.

So what are the Lions to do?

First and foremost, resign Calvin Johnson long-term. This is easier said than done, as I have discussed previously.

Next, try and keep their own free agents with cap-friendly "hometown discounts." If a player values the paycheck more than the team, it's time to let him go, and the Lions are not in a position to overpay.

After that, the Lions' trident of Tom Lewand, Martin Mayhew and Jim Schwartz will need to give prospective free agents their best Cadillac Man (or Mustang Man in this instance), impersonation and sell their locker room as an opportunity to be the final piece of the puzzle that sends Detroit to the Super Bowl.

When this fails—and don’t kid yourself, there will be more failures than successes this offseason—the Lions will need to fall back on players with blemishes. But if the price is right, there are under-valued additions that could help improve this team.

I have already discussed the true free-agency wish list for Detroit, excluding their own players hitting the market. Following are eight players that would add value to the Lions, but at a much more palatable price.

Chilo Rachal, Offensive Guard

If the Lions are looking to improve the running game, why not pilfer the roster of the best rushing offense in the NFL?

At 6’5” and 323 pounds, Chilo Rachal is a solid run blocker who had a very good 2010 campaign but lost his starting spot in Week 3 to Adam Snyder.

On the surface, this may seem disconcerting, but Rachal will be 26 years old next season and is a former second round selection—his best years are still ahead of him.

He also played at USC, and we all know the disdain Jim Harbaugh has for the Trojans and their former coach Pete Carroll. The demotion of Rachal may have been a result of the rookie head coach making an example of the young Trojan early in the season.

Harbaugh is a spiteful guy, and if Snyder posed no significant downgrade, it would have been easy to justify the switch and could make Rachal unwanted and available on the cheap. 

Anthony Collins, Offensive Tackle

Normally, I wouldn’t suggest heading to Cincinnati for free-agent gold, but Anthony Collins could add some much needed depth for the Lions.

Currently, Collins is a victim of circumstance—stuck behind under-valued left tackle Andrew Witworth and first-round right tackle Andre Smith.

With a 6’5”, 315-pound frame and arms that measure 35” long, Collins has the build to be a successful offensive tackle.

He has started 18 games in his young NFL career, and before the Bengals drafted Smith, Collins performed nicely as a starter on the right side.

The limited depth for the Lions at tackle is well documented, and if Collins is looking for a chance to start, beating out Gosder Cherilus should be much more appealing than his current situation.

Plus, he has played both sides of the line and at only 26 years old, he would be a perfect swing player with NFL game experience.

Dan Connor, Inside Linebacker

Dan Connor’s bags are packed and he’s sitting at Charlotte International Airport waiting for his next NFL team to come calling.

Jon Beason will be the starting middle linebacker for the Carolina Panthers next year, and Connor has already stated he wants a full-time gig.

If the Lions can’t come to terms with Stephen Tulloch, Dan Connor could be a decent consolation prize.

Connor is strong against the run and had his best season as a pro with 75 tackles. Plus, at only 26 and having only 19 starts under his belt, his body is fresh.

I realize the Panthers were awful against the run last year—allowing 130 yards per game—but it can’t all be pinned on Connor. Much of that can be placed on the poor play of the defensive line.

Overall, if the draft comes and goes with no young linebacking prospect and Tulloch wanting to break the bank, Connor could be a value signing.

David Hawthorne, Inside Linebacker

After the bye week of 2009, his second season, David Hawthorne took over the middle of the Seattle Seahawks defense and has led the team in tackles since. The 2011 season was Hawthorne’s best campaign with 115 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions.

He’s the same age as Tulloch and is one inch taller and six pounds heavier, so there would be no loss physically. Plus, Hawthorne has only four years of NFL wear and tear, where Tulloch has six.

He comes from a 4-3 system, and although he is a great run-stopper, he’s not the most fleet of foot, which may cause concern for Detroit.

Many fans feel the Lions have to do everything and anything to keep Tulloch, but with the Lions salary cap in chaos, there are other options and Hawthorne is one of the better ones that have received little consideration.

Richard Marshall, Cornerback

If there is one thing the Detroit Lions need more of, it’s cornerbacks that can catch the ball. Arizona Cardinal’s Richard Marshall would certainly be an upgrade.

With six years in the NFL, Marshall has 17 interceptions. If you think that’s unimpressive, check what the Lions have in their own backyard.

Nobody in the Detroit secondary has a better yearly average of interceptions, and Eric Wright’s career total of 13 in five years is the only player that comes close.

Marshall is a physical corner who can play the style that Gunther Cunningham prefers and he will come up quickly to support the run. Cardinals Defensive Coordinator Ray Horton described Richard Marshall as the Cardinals' "most valuable player" on defense last year (via AZCardinals.com).

Marshall showed intelligence and toughness in addition to his play on the corner to slide to the free safety position when starter Kerry Rhodes broke his foot.

That type of versatility and NFL experience is better than current multipurpose option Amari Spievey and should put Marshall on the Lions' radar.

Reggie Smith, Safety

Reggie Smith is a perfect example of a player who lost his spot to injury.

Heading into last season, Smith was a starter for the 49ers and was having a great camp. Then, he suffered a torn meniscus in his knee that kept him out for a couple weeks. That allowed Dashon Goldson to step in and Smith never got his spot back.

Smith was originally drafted as a cornerback out of Oklahoma, but was moved to safety because San Francisco made the mistake of drafting Taylor Mays from USC.

For a safety, Smith is fluid with good ball skills and could compete for a starting spot or at minimum replace Chris Harris as the third safety.

Jason Allen, Cornerback

The Houston Texans went from awful to one of the best under the leadership of new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. One of the benefactors was Jason Allen.

The Texans nickelback had his best season last year with 45 tackles and four interceptions.

The seven-year veteran plays the ball well and is a solid tackler. Plus, he was touted in Houston for his veteran leadership. When you're adding depth to your locker room, the last thing you want is a wild card; Allen would fit in nicely and do what was required of him.

Cortland Finnegan is No. 1 on almost everybody’s free-agent wish list, but with Jeff Fisher moving to St. Louis, Finnegan now has two options with former coaches who want him. Plus, the Titans may squash both cities' hopes by using their franchise tag on Cortland.

Both the Lions and fans need to start thinking about alternate plans, and Allen could be in the mix.

Mike Tolbert, Running Back

Jim Schwartz was making the rounds at the Senior Bowl by talking to potential running back draft picks. If the best player scenario plays out and no running back is selected, Mike Tolbert could be an option. 

The Chargers appear committed to Ryan Matthews and have no plans to franchise Tolbert.

With every Detroit Lions running back having injury issues, a dependable back with a proven NFL track record could really help the Lions balance their attack.

Tolbert runs hard, using his 243 pounds to move the chains and keep his offense on the field. Additionally, he has good hands out of the backfield with 54 receptions last season while splitting time with Matthews. The 26-year-old is also a good blocker—he recognizes the blitz and keeps his quarterback clean.

Remember, Philip Rivers is not fleet of foot and Tolbert was the third-down back.

The best part is, along with four years in the league, he only has 341 carries; there’s plenty of tread left on the tires.

The Lions have nobody in the backfield they can hang their hat on and I know the last thing this team needs is to plow more money into offensive "skill" positions, but $4 million for Nate Burleson next year is bad business.

If Nate wants to continue being a benefactor of a pass-first offense, taking a pay cut to stay on this team makes sense. Veteran leadership is not only about bravado, it's about putting team goals first.

There are several big-name free-agent running backs that will garner most of the attention in the offseason, and Tolbert could be signed at a reasonable price with similar abilities.

The last two backup running backs that left San Diego—Michael Turner and Darren Sproles—have performed quite nicely for their new teams. Tolbert will do the same, whether it's in Detroit or somewhere else.