Detroit Lions' Work on Defensive Line Can't Stop with the Draft

The NFL draft is how teams are built.

No good NFL team has ever been concocted in any other way. Free agents can help, contribute, and even be core players. But the draft is the primary way NFL teams come together.

Teams that can draft well eventually win.

It was a mortal flaw of the Matt Millen regime. A flaw many believe—incorrectly, in my opinion—is inherent in the scouting department: Many of whom still have their jobs.

That flaw in the Millen regime was exacerbated by a desire to patch holes through free agency: a tactic used by playoff-caliber teams. Millen believed that overpriced free agents like Damien Woody, Dre Bly, and others would be long-term solutions to a systemic problem: Bad drafting.

A good method to free agency is that it is either a short-term solution, or—for teams like the Lions—a supplement to drafting.

The Lions need a lot of help in the 2010 NFL Draft: defensive line, defensive backfield, probably a linebacker, offensive line depth (maybe even a starter), wide receivers, possibly a running back—and a backup QB wouldn't hurt.

So there it is, every position other than kicker and punter—where the Lions could spend a late-round pick, as well.

If the Lions had 25 draft picks, this would be a killer offseason.

But they don't.

If this is going to be a three-year rebuilding plan—and not a 30-year rebuilding plan—the Lions need to learn how to supplement the draft with free agency, not supplant it. 

This offseason, the Lions could take two defensive linemen in the draft and still need two more. Sammie Lee Hill performed admirably but is still a project. The other defensive tackle spot is manned either by Grady Jackson or roster fodder. Dewayne White and Jared DeVries are both older than 30 and replacement-level players.

Gerald McCoy would look great in Honolulu blue: No doubt about it. If this offseason is going to be a success, McCoy or Ndamukong Suh needs to be in the fold (or a host of draft picks to make up for it.)

In one of the deepest defensive drafts, a starting-caliber defensive lineman may be available in the second or third round, as well: Everson Griffen, Carlos Dunlap, Arthur Jones, LaMarr Houston, Brandon Lang. The list goes on and on.

Sadly, that isn't enough.

That scenario leaves the Lions with one starter at not-starter quality and a group of depth players who are still past their prime.

Here are some defensive linemen the Lions could target in free agency:

Aaron Kampman (DE, Green Bay Packers)

At age 30, Kampman is hardly old. Eight years of service would be great from a free agent with this talent.

Kampman also has a few reasons to travel eastward. He was high school teammates with DeVries, and he wants to play in a traditional 4-3 defense. 

The Lions have lots of reasons to like Kampman.

This isn't just a pipe dream. ESPN has listed the Lions as a possible Kampman destination numerous times. Aaron Nagler of Cheesehead TV said that Kampman to Detroit "wouldn't surprise me in the least actually."

Ray Edwards *RFA* (DE, Minnesota Vikings)

The Vikings would be wise to place a high tag on this one.

Edwards, 25, can stay in Minnesota and play fourth fiddle on that star-studded defensive line, or he can be the stud in numerous other towns. If the latter is the case, any team would be stupid not to give up a reasonable draft pick for him.

The Lions can ill-afford a first and third price tag, but that level of compensation might be a little pricey for the Vikings, as well.

If the Lions have the choice to spend a second- or third-round pick on either a lineman in the draft or Ray Edwards, Edwards is the clear choice.

Kyle Vanden Bosch (DE, Tennessee Titans)

Honestly, this Titan probably isn't a NFL starter much longer. He's coming off a down year following an injury-plagued season.

There is a chance Vanden Bosch could bounce back, but at 31, that doesn't happen very often.

Still, Vanden Bosch is stout as a 280-pounder and has experience with Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz. He also will be looking for a starting gig, which Detroit can provide.

If Vanden Bosch ends up in Detroit, he is probably a two-down player, rotating with Cliff Avril and sending DeVries to the bench.

Marcus Spears (DT/DE, Dallas Cowboys)

Spears plays end for the Cowboys in a 3-4. At 310 pounds, Spears has always played the run better than the pass. At 27, he is reaching the prime of his career.

Detroit could use a player like Spears. With GM Martin Mayhew and Schwartz wanting defensive versatility, Spears could rotate with Hill in a 4-3 look and move to end in a 3-4 look. 

A 3-4 defensive look with Hill in the middle and McCoy/Spears at ends would be fantastic for the Lions. Meanwhile, back in the 4-3, Spears would serve as a starting-caliber tackle in a young defensive tackle rotation only getting better.

Tony Brown (DT, Tennessee Titans)

A similar scenario for this big fella. Brown is a 290-pound defensive tackle known for his penetration ability.

As a Lion, he would fill the same position that Spears would. Spears would be better and cost more money and probably a draft pick, depending on the CBA. However, the same argument can be made for Brown.

If a draft pick needs to be spent, should the Lions spend it on a rookie or a proven player under 30?

For Edwards, the decision is a no-brainer. For Brown, a 29-year-old with a slight injury past, the price has to be right.

Barry Cofield (DT, New York Giants)

Another 25-year-old, Cofield isn't an immense upgrade over Hill.

Frankly, a scenario would have to present itself in which the addition of Cofield was not in any way detrimental to Hill's development.

If Cofield, a Cleveland native, wanted to return to the Midwest as a high-volume backup, great! Again, that third tackle position is invaluable to teams. It is a position the Lions have lacked. It is a position that Schwartz knows the value of.

Other (Lesser) Names to Watch For:

Mark Anderson (DE, Chicago Bears), Tank Johnson (DT, Cincinnati Bengals), Jevon Kearse (DE, Tennessee Titans), Gabe Watson (DT, Arizona Cardinals).

Michael Schottey is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and the producer and host of The Average Joe Sports Show on 860AM KNUJ (New Ulm, MN). He is also an NFL Analyst and Senior Writer for DraftTek.com. Follow Him on Twitter.