Detroit Lions' Bargain Guide to the 2015 Offseason

The Detroit Lions enter this offseason with a budget in mind and Super Bowl in their sights. There are a few big names that general manager Martin Mayhew will target, but the true measure of a successful offseason will be finding the cost-effective treasures that can push the team over the top.

Any search for these types of deals starts in the free-agency bin. There are veterans and under-the-radar guys who can be had for a good price and can contribute in a meaningful way.

And obviously, we'll take a tour of the 2015 NFL draft class. It's hard to beat the bang-for-your-buck that you can find in any round.

So click through to find out which positions provide the possibility of saving the Lions some cash while bolstering the bottom line.

Defensive Tackle

Leon Halip/Getty Images

We're going to work on the assumption that the Lions bring back at least one of their premier defensive tackles. If Mayhew was willing to invest two first-round picks in consecutive drafts on the position, he did so with the understanding that he would pay at least one a large sum of cash down the road.

So after locking up Ndamukong Suh, Mayhew should turn his attention to C.J. Mosley. He's performed excellently in his reserve role and helped the defense stay atop the rushing ranks after Nick Fairley went down.

If Mosley finds a better deal, Mayhew should put a call in to Corey Peters' agent. He's stout against the run and posted 15 quarterback hurries for the Atlanta Falcons, per Pro Football Focus. And obviously the team will bring back Andre Fluellen at some point. It's apparently a league mandate now.

"

Corey Peters has had a heck of a night tonight. Three tackles, all three for loss, and a sack. Big man's back. #TBvsATL

— Jay Adams (@FalconsJAdams) September 19, 2014"

Even if Suh comes back (which is growing likelier by the day), Detroit could still snag another defensive tackle early in the draft. Malcom Brown and Eddie Goldman are very real possibilities for Detroit at 23rd overall. And fellow Bleacher Reporter Chris Roling sees Washington's Danny Shelton falling to the Lions, which would be unfair for the rest of the league. 

Detroit could also use a later pick on Gabe Wright of Auburn. Or if Detroit decides to wait until after the draft to address the position, Wisconsin's Warren Herring might be an interesting undrafted free agent. 

Offensive Guard

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

There aren't many bargains on guards to be had in the free-agent market. Cincinnati's Clint Boling and San Francisco's Mike Iupati might be worth the money they demand, but price tags north of $5 million annually will force the Lions to pass.

So the Lions should give Ronald Leary a look. He graded out well in the run game, registering the sixth-highest run-blocking grade, according to Pro Football Focus. But he did give up as many hurries (22) as Rob Sims in 2014. He's basically a middle- or lower-class Iupati. 

Unfortunately, Leary just finished up his third year in the league, so he isn't an unrestricted free agent. Dallas will have the right to match any offer made, and depending on the size of the qualifying offer extended by the Cowboys, it'll probably take a draft pick as well to secure his services.

The rest of the class is filled with career backups. Guys like Vlad Ducasse or Gabe Carimi are better suited as emergency depth than prospective starters.

Detroit will likely draft at least one offensive lineman. No guards have earned a first-round grade from me, which leaves only the possibility of a tackle like T.J. Clemmings or Andrus Peat if Detroit opts to kick Riley Reiff inside to guard.

South Carolina's A.J. Cann and Alabama's Arie Kouandjio could be Day 2 targets. Jeff Risdon also noted Ali Marpet's performance at the Senior Bowl over at DetroitLionsDraft.com: "The D-III stud was the most impressive interior blocker on either roster. His technique was outstanding and consistent. Nobody had better hand placement or balance and strength to their movement than Marpet, a college tackle."

Risdon projected Marpet as a possible fifth-rounder. He likely isn't going to crack a starting lineup early in his career, but his ceiling would justify the pick.

Finally, there is always the possibility that Detroit brings back Sims for a minimal contract. It's unlikely, however, considering his declining play and ill fit in the new blocking scheme.

Cornerback

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

The debate about Rashean Mathis should be a short one. His age (35) is easily offset by his steady play, mentoring presence and price.

It's an easy marriage of convenience and cost since Mathis wants to be in Detroit and isn't likely to see much of a pay raise coming off consecutive sub-$1 million contracts, per Spotrac.

If Mathis finds a higher payday elsewhere, the Lions won't find another cornerback who provides the same cost-effective value. Chris Culliver and Tramon Williams are going to take considerable cash to be lured to Detroit. The better options could be inconsistent veterans Antonio Cromartie or Perrish Cox.

Cromartie would fit defensive coordinator Teryl Austin's attacking style, but he isn't a great tackler. Cox (5'11", 195 lbs) isn't as big as Cromartie but bested the Arizona Cardinal in pass deflections (eight) and interceptions (five).

Trae Waynes, P.J. Williams and Marcus Peters are popular first-round names, should the Lions look to the draft. Waynes is the most pro-ready. Peters has the most pure coverage talent, and Williams is the most likely to be available because he needs some time to develop.

"

Got my 1st in-depth look at MSU CB Trae Waynes today. Route anticipation & COD skills are outstanding. Tackling angles in pursuit need work.

— Joe Marino (@TheJoeMarino) January 31, 2015"

The second round could bring the fast-rising Eric Rowe. Or the Lions could wait for Ronald Darby in the fourth or Quandre Diggs from Texas even later.

Wide Receiver

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

The Lions need a reliable third receiver. It's not a lock that Corey Fuller is growing into the position, and Jeremy Ross didn't build on last year's foundation on offense or special teams. Plus, T.J. Jones is a wild card since he never hit the field as a rookie. 

"

Jeremy Ross back for the kickoff, much to the Cowboys' delight.

— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) January 5, 2015"

Free agency has plenty of expensive options available that won't draw so much as a glance from Mayhew. Instead, he'll focus on guys like Robert Meachem.

Meachem has spent six of his seven professional years in New Orleans. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi's offense is so similar to what the Saints run that Drew Brees recently said he recognized "95 percent of the plays" Detroit ran.

The 30-year-old would come cheaply because he hasn't caught more than 16 passes in a year since 2011, when he had 40. Considering the lack of unappealing options at the right price tag (Denarius Moore? Brandon Tate?), Meachem may be the best bet on the market.

"

Tyler Lockett looks like off-brand BCooks/GTate to me. Speed/quickness not on Cooks level, doesn't have Tate's game in air or strength

— Sigmund Bloom (@SigmundBloom) January 28, 2015"

The draft has given everyone plenty of ideas. Tyler Lockett from Kansas State has the wheels to stretch the field and return kicks, possessing the right combination to fill in for Ross. 

Tony Lippett is also an intriguing option at about the same spot of the third or fourth round. Stefon Diggs and Andre Davis are deeper prospects who could get a shot in Detroit as well. 

Running Back

Scott Iskowitz/Getty Images

It's unclear for now if Detroit will need to snag a running back this offseason. Joique Bell and Theo Riddick are sure to return, and it's possible that Mayhew will determine that Reggie Bush's release savings of $1.7 million isn't worth cutting him loose.

But it's officially speculation season in the NFL. Let's have some fun.

If Detroit opts for some veteran depth, then Bobby Rainey could be intriguing. He's a versatile back who can contribute on special teams as well.

"

Bobby Rainey with an impressive hit on punt coverage -- they've timed their hits well today ...

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) November 30, 2014"

He posted career highs of 4.3 yards per carry and 9.5 yards per catch. Rainey could prove a solid backup who generates plenty of return on investment.

Ahmad Bradshaw is another player who could bring plenty to the table without taking up much cap room. He accounted for less than half a million last season and posted a solid 4.7-yard average.

If Mayhew opts to draft a young up-and-comer instead, this year's crop of running back talent is deep. Indiana's Tevin Coleman would be an exciting pick in the second round if he falls that far. Otherwise, Jay Ajayi should be available in the third, or Detroit could draft David Cobb in the fourth.

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

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.