Free Agent Players You Might See in a Detroit Lions Uniform Next Year

Okay, now the fun begins. Other than the first few games of the season, most Lions fans would agree that over the last five years or so, the off season is what really gets you excited. Each year, there is a new crop of free agents and rookies looking for a job, and each year Detroit just seems to never get it right, at least with Mr. Millen running the show.

Remember James Stewart claiming to be the next Barry Sanders? Or when Damien Woody was supposed to bring the O-Line together? Fact is, Detroit has been bringing in players who never seem to work out for too many years now.

Now to this year's free agent class, filled with experienced players, and exceptional talent. Detroit has many holes to fill and I believe you start with the offensive side of the ball. Most holes can be filled in the draft, but here are a couple free agents to consider.

As odd as it seems, wide receiver is still a spot they need to fill. Houston's Kevin Walter would be a great addition to the team's offense. Though he won't dazzle you with his speed, he has great hands and the ability to get open. Just imagine what Calvin Johnson could really do when he's not triple teamed every play.

Detroit also needs two new back up quarterbacks and there's no one out there better than Chad Pennington to fill the spot. What he did for Chad Henne last year was pretty impressive, and could only help Matt Stafford grow as a great NFL quarterback. 

Henne went on to say about Pennington:

"If he comes back, I definitely welcome him back because he's taught me so much, and I think if he does come back, it'll only help me out."

You gotta love that, he could come in and be the mentor Culpepper never was. At worst, he could be someone reliable and accurate who could come in if Stafford was to get hurt.

Detroit also needs to bring in some excitement and explosiveness this year, and adopt a Wildcat formation. That's why they should make a push for the Jets' Brad Smith. Not only can the guy play the wildcat, he can throw the ball, has lightning speed, but he can also return punts and kickoffs, something Detroit desperately needs.

On the other side of the ball, you start in the trenches. Aaron Kampman and Kyle Vanden Bosch are at the top of my list. Kampman has shown he isn't pleased with the new 3-4 offense the Green Bay Packers installed last year and doesn't like to play the outside line backer position. Think back to his years from 2006 to 2009 when he was a DE, this guy was a beast, posting 37 sacks in a three year span.

Vanden Bosch on the other hand brings a different style of play to the position. Even though he's more of a run stopper, he can still get to the quarterback. 

Either way, both of these ends paired up with possible draft picks Suh or McCoy would make for a much better defensive line. My first choice is easily Kampman just because of his knack for getting the sacks. His ability would fit perfectly in Gunther Cunningham's aggressive defense.

With all that said, I look forward to seeing what happens this year with the Lions, in the tough NFC North division. You know they will have to make strides to becoming a winning team again, because settling for less will only keep them a sub .500 team.