6 Perfect Free-Agent Fits for Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions have over 20 players that could depart the den this offseason. Fans worried about keeping a good thing going should find hope in the form of free agents that would fit Detroit's scheme while complying with Detroit's salary cap. 

Detroit currently sits with about $19 million in cap room, per Spotrac.com. That number won't blow you away, especially if the Lions are able to keep Ndamukong Suh from leaving town. However, there are a few ways that general manager Martin Mayhew could free up some cash.

But the Lions won't have to work hard to find players that can keep this team on its winning track. Yes, there are a few fits here that will cost some coin, but the value of finding the right guy at the proper price shouldn't be dismissed. 

Click through to find six players who could fit perfectly in Motown.

Guard Mike Iupati

Tom Gannam/Associated Press

Let's not break your brain right off the jump. Plenty of pundits—including friend and B/R colleague Jeff Risdon—have placed offensive guard Mike Iupati in the Lions' crosshairs, and with good reason: He's really good.

The Lions just suffered through a dramatic downturn in offensive production. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi's new complex system should receive some of the blame along with the play-calling, but the offensive line was the biggest obstacle to point production.

While center Dominic Raiola's play was abysmal, his replacement is already on the roster. There's nobody behind the sure-to-be departing Rob Sims that represents an improvement over the 31-year-old, and that has to be remedied.

There are a couple of options on the market that should keep the price within budget for the not-quite-but-possibly cash-strapped Lions (assuming they re-sign Suh). Either Clint Boling from Cincinnati or Denver's Orlando Franklin would be a nice pickup. However, the power running game that Lombardi desires requires a gritty guard that loves to blow holes in a defensive front.

That's why former San Francisco 49er Mike Iupati is the ticket.

He battled injuries all year and still graded out as Pro Football Focus' (subscription required) 14th-best guard. He's been a mainstay along an offensive line for a rushing offense that has finished no worse than fourth the last three years.

The Lions finished the season 28th in rushing. They could use a beast up front to pair with Larry Warford that will help protect Matthew Stafford with success on the ground and protection on passing downs. Iupati can do that.

Running Back Shane Vereen

Stephan Savoia/Associated Press

Shane Vereen isn't as explosive as Reggie Bush or as productive of a runner as Joique Bell, but he'd be a nice fit in Detroit.

His 4.1-yard-per-carry average would have led the Lions. Bush and Bell both averaged just 3.9 yards per carry, and hopeful third-down back Theo Riddick posted a paltry 2.6 average.

Yet Vereen won't be brought in solely to inject life into the running game, but more for his all-around skills. He's amassed 99 catches the last two years to pair with his 4.3-yard rushing average over that same time frame.

The Lions will probably cut ties with Bush since it'd save them $3.3 million, giving Detroit enough money to make a run at the potentially former New England Patriot. Vereen would be a trusty option out of the backfield that would inspire more confidence than Bush, and his running ability gives him an edge over Riddick as an every-down back.

And every team ideally needs a trio of running backs. Injuries strike too often to carry just Bell, Riddick and some scrub. Detroit needs to keep Matthew Stafford's quiver full of dump-off weapons capable of picking up first downs, and Vereen's past performance demonstrates he can fill that requirement.

Running Back Roy Helu

Mark Tenally/Associated Press

Roy Helu fits the same mold as Shane Vereen, although it'll be interesting to see which one comes at a cheaper price.

Vereen is a bit more established. Helu is two years younger and coming off a career year. Since nobody bids too high for career backups already past the age of 25, it's probable that neither will be priced out of the Lions' spending range.

It could be tough to pry either guy from his current team though. Vereen has enjoyed plenty of success with the Patriots, and Helu still likes Washington despite a decidedly opposite experience, per Tarik El-Bashir of CSN Washington:

"

Roy Helu, a pending free agent, says he wants to return to #Redskins. But also says he's excited about potentially hitting open market.

— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) December 29, 2014"

Helu only garnered 40 rushing attempts this year, but took advantage of his opportunities by posting a healthy 5.4-yard-per-carry average. He also grabbed 42 receptions for 477 yards and two touchdowns, which is second only to his rookie year (49).

The Lions could very well turn to the draft to find a cheaper, more explosive threat out of the backfield. However, Theo Riddick is that type of player, and the ability of any team to turn to the draft will keep these established veterans' asking prices low.

Defensive End Brandon Graham

Ben Margot/Associated Press

Count this move among the least likely of signings for Detroit, but if the Lions don't re-sign Ndamukong Suh or Nick Fairley, that money has to go somewhere. Brandon Graham would be a nice bookend to Ezekiel Ansah on the other side.

Graham is coming off a career year in Philadelphia, although the raw numbers don't look all that impressive. He only had 46 total tackles to pair with 5.5 sacks.

However, Pro Football Focus ranked him as the third-best 3-4 outside linebacker in the league. That's not even his natural position, as Smart Football's Chris Brown pointed out, so expect the damage to increase with a shift to defensive end:

"

PHI unrestricted FA Brandon Graham is one to watch. Naturally more of a 4-3 defensive end, had nice year as 3-4 OLB after slow career start

— Chris B. Brown (@smartfootball) December 30, 2014"

Plenty of Lions fans remember Graham's college days at Michigan as a play-wrecking defensive end. At 6'2", 265 pounds, he has enough bulk to handle the outside duties and could be a new versatile toy for defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. Offenses wouldn't worry nearly as much about the middle of the defense if Detroit doesn't restock its interior, but the edges would be a nightmare.

Defensive Tackle Dan Williams

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

One way or another, the Lions will ink at least three defensive tackles to contracts this offseason. Granted, two of them could currently be on the roster, but nothing is concrete at this point.

There have been suggestions that Detroit would be better off giving a solid defensive tackle much less money than Suh so the front office can fill other holes. I don't agree. A player of his caliber cannot be replaced with a few decent additions.

However, for the sake of argument, Dan Williams would fit the category of good but not transcendent. And with Arizona's financial commitment to stars Calais Campbell, Darnell Dockett and Patrick Peterson, Williams could fly the coop, per Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports 910:

"

Nothing at this point. He'll likely test FA. RT @EJH711 has there been any talk of resigning Dan Williams? Don't see a replacement on roster

— Mike Jurecki (@mikejurecki) December 29, 2014"

Williams made the most of the chance Dockett's injury provided, making a name for himself in the middle of the tough Arizona defense. He graded out as the league's 14th-best interior defensive lineman by virtue of his 12 quarterback hurries despite playing as a nose tackle.

The big guy is also extremely adept at eating up double-teams. With Williams up front, DeAndre Levy and the rest of the linebackers would have an easy time flowing to the football without worrying about offensive linemen getting to the second level.

Cornerback Antonio Cromartie

Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

Chris Culliver is a common name bandied about as a possible replacement for Rashean Mathis. He's an intriguing name, but his asking price is going to be pretty high considering his solid season in San Francisco.

So if Detroit can manage to bring Suh back and decides to move on from Mathis, general manager Martin Mayhew will have to look for a cheaper option. And that guy might be Antonio Cromartie.

He made $4 million in 2014 and made some big plays for the opportunistic Cardinals, but he wasn't elite by any means. While PFF ranked him 45th out of 108 qualifying cornerbacks, his allowed passer rating of 80.3 ranked 32nd. And he certainly has to tackle better to make it in Motown, as Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com notes:

"

That's what Arians was talking about. Cromartie had shot to make that tackle, couldn't. No gain turned into 5-yard run.

— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) January 3, 2015"

Cromartie's numbers won't make your head spin. However, the 6'2", 210-pound cornerback is perfectly suited for the type of press-man coverage the Lions love to play. He and Darius Slay would give Detroit two cornerbacks capable of matching up with the game's biggest receivers, freeing up defensive coordinator Teryl Austin to get creative with his schemes.

And that could be priceless.

All salary-cap numbers are sourced from Spotrac.com. All advanced stats, grades and positional rankings are courtesy of Pro Football Focus and require a subscription. 

Brandon Alisoglu is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist who has written about the Lions on multiple sites. He also co-hosts a Lions-centric podcast, Lions Central Radio. Yell at him on Twitter about how wrong he is @BrandonAlisoglu.