Lions Walk the Waiver Wire: Possible Free Agent Targets

Help! I need somebody!

Help! Not just anybody!

Help! You know I need someone! HELP!

-The Beatles

The Detroit Lions have one thing going for them. Really, just one.

By virtue of their 0-16 season in 2008 they have the ability to grab anyone placed on waivers before anyone else. The only situation in which the Lions would miss out on a player would be if multiple waiver claims were placed and the Lions prioritized the player less than another team.

The waiver wire is not a panacea. It is not snake oil. It is not a Dr. Oz miracle cure.

The waiver wire, however, is a great tool for overhauling the bottom end of your roster. One man's trash and all that jazz.

The Lions are one of the most talent-bereft teams in the league. There is not a single position, outside of possibly quarterback and running back, that could not use more talent.

Detroit is bad enough to find multiple players on the waiver wire that could play heavy minutes this season, not even including a possible diamond in the rough.

Also, this is the week a lot of players are let go. After a team's first game, "vested veterans" no longer have their contract guaranteed and thus teams, freed from the salary cap implications, can let players go. And other teams, freed from possible salary cap implications, can pick players up.

So this is a perfect week to take a look at some players, currently sitting by their phones, that the Lions could take a stab at. Note that not all of these players are waiver claims, so some of them may have a choice to come to the Lions or not.

Wide Receiver

Hank Baskett (6'4", 220, 27 years old)—*Signed by the Indianapolis Colts*

Cut to give Michael Vick a roster spot, Baskett is a talented special teams coverage player that would help the Lions improve that spot. As a receiver, Baskett would be a reliable fourth target, especially on deeper routes.

Plus, having his wife in the stands couldn't hurt attendance. He's due a lot of money so teams may wait.

Who to Drop? Yamon Figurs

Matt Jones (6'6", 218, 26)

Off the field, Jones is a moron. On the field, Jones was just starting to realize his transition from college quarterback to NFL wide receiver. His 761 yards last season would have been second on the Lions.

I'm not advocating signing him. But I am advocating giving him an interview. Mayhew brought Shaun Smith in for much the same arrangement. Jones could help the Lions just as much.

Who to Drop? Yamon Figurs

Dane Looker (6'0", 194, 33)

Looker was a camp body for the Lions and is not any better than a fourth receiver on the current squad. He is sure-handed and helps in a variety of roles—special teams, returning and covering, as well as holding and being a personal protector for punts. I wouldn't cut any wide receiver to sign Looker, but I'd have him on speed dial.

Offensive Line

Levi Jones (6'5', 305, 30)

One year younger and much more talented than Jeff Backus, Jones has a long, long injury history that can't be ignored. Of all the depth the Lions have added on the offensive line this past offseason, they have still not added a player to adequately play left tackle.

The Lions could easily bring Jones in for an extended physical/workout. He could then compete with (hopefully) whatever rookie the Lions bring in later.

Who to drop? Ephraim Salaam

Matt Lehr (6'2", 304, 30)

Dylan Gandy is a capable backup center and only 27. However, Lehr would almost certainly upgrade the position. In lineman terms, 30 is the new 20, and Lehr probably has five to seven years left. Gandy is small (but strong) and would certainly flounder if ever placed there full time.

Who to Drop? Dylan Gandy

Defensive Line

*The Lions have JUST claimed Turk McBride (6'2", 275, 24) this afternoon and released Orien Harris (DT) to make room*

DeWayne Robertson (6'1", 317, 27)

Salary issues are the ONLY reason Robertson hasn't found another team. He's been cap fodder on two teams after they realized he had the bulk, but not the skill set to play nose tackle.

Robertson is a prototypical 4-3 tackle and still has a lot of value. He would need to pass a physical and sign a fair market contract. The Titans and Panthers are both rumored to be interested; the Lions should be as well.

Who to Drop? Landon Cohen

John Thornton (6'3", 297, 33)

Thornton is only included because he turned down an offer earlier this year. He didn't want to gain significant weight to play defensive tackle at this stage of his career. However, if the Lions were to agree that 297 is a fine playing weight, Thornton could still provide a significant upgrade on a rotational basis for two or three seasons.

Who to Drop? Copeland Bryan

Paul Spicer (6'4", 295, 34)

Here's another guy who isn't going to lower the Lions average age. Yet this journeyman with ties to the Detroit area (Saginaw Valley State grad, former Lion) has one or two valuable years left. The Lions had him in for a workout. His number is probably on speed dial in case of injury.

Who to Drop? Copeland Bryan

Anthony Weaver (6'3", 280, 29)

Weaver just turned 29 in July and in a best case scenario could have five years left. He was extremely productive in Baltimore but fell off the truck in Houston before multiple surgeries. He's not a player to count on but would be a solid depth pickup if he passes a physical/workout.

Who to Drop? Copeland Bryan

Defensive Backfield

Bernard Pollard (6'1", 224, 24)

A former starter in Kansas City, Pollard is generally considered a wasted draft pick. However, one of the biggest reasons he failed was lack of coverage skills, a no-no in Herm Edwards' Cover-2 scheme. Pollard is a tough in-the-box safety that could drastically improve the Lions' special teams as well as provide depth.

Who to Drop? Kalvin Pearson

Von Hutchins (5'9", 181, 28)

Released by the Falcons to make room for Tye Hill, Hutchins can play safety or cornerback. He would be a clear upgrade to the fourth or fifth cornerback spot and would provide versatility by both playing safety and being a special teams coverage guy.

Who to Drop? Kevin Hobbs

Fakhir Brown (5'11", 195, 31)

A Detroit native, Brown is a former Rams starter who played much of last season with a partially torn rotator cuff. He is no longer starter quality—some would argue he never was. However, like Hutchins, he could provide solid depth and may even take a hometown discount.

Who to Drop? Kevin Hobbs

Adam "Pacman" Jones (5'10", 186, 25)

I'm not advocating this. But, if Jim Schwartz gets desperate, he knows where to go. Schwartz previously said that the Lions had no interest in Jones, but that was before Eric King was abused and the Lions were torched by the Saints.

Jones is a complete moron who would likely wear out his welcome quickly in Motown. However, I won't count this move out if things continue to look bad in the Detroit secondary. This is a last case scenario.

Who to Drop? Kevin Hobbs

As I've said numerous times throughout. Some, or most, of these moves would help the Lions in various ways. Yet, none of them would be a sure bet. Of these 13 players, only DeWayne Robertson and Levi Jones would put any real pressure on the starters in their respective positions.

For a rebuilding project like the Lions, overhauling the bottom half of the roster is just as important as improving the top. Much of that was already completed this past offseason, but there is always more work to be done for a team that didn't win a game in '08.

Mayhew has proved, at times, to be a shrewd manager of both trades and free agency. If he were to pull the trigger on some of these moves, it would only improve a team that badly needs it.