Detroit Lions: 5 Free Agent CBs the Lions Should Target

It is no secret that the Detroit Lions need help at the cornerback position.

Chris Houston and Eric Wright proved to be a competent tandem in 2011, but the Lions need better depth and talent in order to make that elusive extended playoff run.

This year's crop of free agents provides a wide array of players that could step onto Detroit's roster and immediately make an impact.

Could the Lions opt to address this need through the draft or trade?

Absolutely.

But with so many solid cornerbacks hitting the open market, it is worth examining some of the better ones and seeing how they would fit on Detroit's roster.

Let's look at five free agent cornerbacks the Lions should target.

5. Jason Allen

Jason Allen is a veteran player coming off the most productive season of his career, yet he spent most of his time as a nickelback and only started four games.

Perhaps the Houston Texans' sudden commitment to defense under Wade Philips sparked something in Allen, but whatever the case, he had 11 pass deflections and four interceptions last season.

He has been a solid tackler throughout his career, including 45 last season, and a veteran presence is rarely something that will harm the continuity of a locker room.

Is Jason Allen the best cornerback on the market?

No.

Could he bring solid depth to a defensive backfield that sorely needs it?

Yes.

4. Brent Grimes

Brent Grimes' statistics are not going to jump off the page, but he is a solid cover corner that could easily come into Detroit and have an impact.

At 28 years old, Grimes is reaching the peak of his career, and it has showed in his play in recent seasons.

He has 12 interceptions over the last three years and 50 pass deflections.

Couple that with the fact that he will likely demand a much lower price tag than a guy like Cortland Finnegan, and suddenly Grimes makes a lot of sense in a crowded free agent pool.

3. Richard Marshall

Do not let the picture fool you, Richard Marshall from the Arizona Cardinals is a tackling machine.

This 27-year-old cornerback has 434 tackles in his six NFL seasons, meaning he has no problem stepping into the box and stopping the run.

Plus, Marshall has 17 interceptions in his career. Not exactly a flashy number, but the Lions could do with a consistent three picks from their defensive backs each season.

He has considerable versatility, having also played safety during his time in Arizona, and he has played in every game over the last three seasons.

Detroit could do much worse than signing Richard Marshall.

2. Cortland Finnegan

The prize that all Lions fans are clamoring for is Cortland Finnegan.

Obviously, if Detroit finds the cap room, then bringing in Finnegan would be a great addition to the depth chart.

He is a durable player, having missed only three games in six NFL seasons, and he is a solid cover corner that is not going to get burned in the open field.

Finnegan's interception rate is not all that high, with just three picks in the last two seasons, but quarterbacks have not thrown his way too often in recent years.

The talk is that the 28-year-old cornerback will demand the type of money Jonathan Joseph received last season. If that is the case, then Detroit's odds of landing him remain relatively low.

But he does have a relationship with head coach Jim Schwartz.

And never count out the power of the Schwartz.

1. Brandon Carr

Brandon Carr is a local product having grown up in Flint, Michigan.

After graduating from Grand Valley State University, he has spent his first four NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and has certainly been productive.

Carr has started every game of his career and has amassed 211 tackles in that time.

Perhaps more important is that he showed marked improvement in the interception category in 2011 by matching his career total with four picks.

Carr fits the Lions wide-nine defensive scheme, and while his speed is not overwhelming, it is not a detriment either.

Throw in the fact that defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham was a former coach in Kansas City, and this addition makes a lot of sense.