Detroit Lions Free Agency: 5 Low-Risk, High-Reward Targets

 In a move that typifies their team-first approach, three of the Detroit Lions' biggest stars—Matthew Stafford, Ndamukong Suh and Nate Burleson—agreed to restructure their contracts Monday.

It was a move that immediately brought hope to a salary cap situation that was becoming increasingly hopeless. Now the Lions have a realistic chance of signing all their free agents. Including Stephen Tulloch.

That said, let's not get carried away. The Lions have at least five players they want to re-sign, but restructuring only freed up $10 million. 

Retaining them will still be difficult, particularly since Calvin Johnson's deal isn't done. It is clear from Tulloch's quotes in this article that he will be looking for the best possible situation—max money—and if it comes from a different team so be it.

You can't blame the guy. He's earned it, and no one will be surprised if another team overpays for him. The Lions certainly cannot do that.

If Tulloch leaves, it will open up a gaping hole at the linebacker position. If you add this to the existing need at cornerback, it is clear the Lions are not out of the woods yet. They will still be hindered by salary cap constraints as they try to address these needs via free agency.

In this article I will focus on players the Lions could potentially target via free agency that are low-risk and high-reward. This means that they can be had for a relatively low price and offer some degree of upside. You won't find any marquee names on this list.

Here are five free agents that could address the Lions' biggest needs: linebacker and cornerback.

ILB Dan Connor, Carolina Panthers

No, I'm not advocating the Lions sign John Goodman's character from the 90's sitcom Roseanne. Although he probably would be able to help the Lions immediately.

This Dan Connor hails from Linebacker U. and has played the past four seasons for the Carolina Panthers. This past season was his first as a starter due to the season-ending injury suffered by Jon Beason.

He put up solid numbers in 15 games, amassing 75 tackles and forcing one fumble. In only eight games in 2010, he put up 47 tackles and one sack. He excels in stopping the run, and coming from Penn State you know he's tough.

His salary in 2011 was only $752,250 including his signing bonus. That's a steal.

If Tulloch is gone he could help fill the void.

According to this article, Connor is a target of the Philadelphia Eagles, but who knows how it will end up.

LB Channing Crowder

You might remember that Crowder retired from football abruptly in 2011 after the Miami Dolphins released him prior to the season. He was a salary cap casualty, as his contract was simply too much of a burden.

For the Lions, signing him might depend on how desperate they are to get a linebacker. He's been out of football for a year so who knows what they would get.

On the other hand, he could be the steal of the year. He was highly productive from 2005 to 2009. He only played in 11 games in 2010 and his numbers suffered. This might have played a part in his release also.

In 2010, his salary was nearly $5 million a year, but there is no way he can expect that kind of payday after sitting out a year. Assuming he's in good shape, he could be a great-value pickup with significant upside.

ILB David Hawthorne, Seattle Seahawks

Hawthorne is as physical as they come and is a dynamite run-stopper. In three years as a starter, he averaged 113 tackles per year. In 2011, he had 115 tackles, two sacks, one fumble recovery, three interceptions, one touchdown and six passes defended.

The Chicago Bears are interested according to NBCsports.com, and who can blame them?

That is not good news for Detroit. Imagine a linebacking corps of Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs and Hawthorne chasing Stafford around.

He has only been in the league four years so he has a lot more football to play, and with a base salary of only $900,000 last year, he could be quite a bargain.

Obviously he will command more than that, but if Tulloch is gone he could be a realistic signing for Detroit.

CB William Middleton, Jacksonville Jaguars

I don't know much about William Middleton, but here are some quotes about him taken from various NFL free agent lists: "underrated," "big upside" and "hidden gem".

Middleton bounced around the NFL—he's played on three practice squads since 2008—before Jacksonville snatched him from Atlanta in 2011. When given the opportunity to start he has performed admirably.

He was hampered by a knee injury last season but started in 11 games and recorded 38 tackles and one interception.

His NFL journey tells me two things:

1. He is a survivor and has done what it takes to stick around despite not playing regularly on Sundays.

2. He has worked his way from the practice squad to starter, which implies that he has continually progressed and improved his play.

Another factor in his favor is that his last documented annual salary was only $385,000. I doubt it would take much more than that to get him.

The Lions will likely address the cornerback position through the draft, but there are rumors that one or more of their current corners (Alphonso Smith) will not return. Middleton could be a great low-risk signing with huge potential for improvement.

A potential obstacle if the Lions did target him is that he is a restricted free agent. So if Jacksonville recognizes him as a talented guy, they have the option of matching Detroit's offer.

CB Chris Carr, Baltimore Ravens

Chris Carr was Baltimore's top cornerback in 2010. Granted he was forced into the starting lineup because of injuries, but he put up solid numbers: 61 tackles, three forced fumbles and two interceptions.

In 2011, the Ravens' top guns returned, and Carr fell to fourth on the depth chart and only appeared in nine games. Not wanting to pay a fourth-stringer the $2.5 million they owed him, the Ravens cut him earlier this month.

Carr is 29 and will not likely get anything close to $2 million on the open market. This makes him a value pickup. He's no Pro Bowler, but when given the chance he could be a solid option.