Detroit Lions Free Agency: 12 Players the Lions Could Target in 2012

It's an optimistic time in the world of the NFL. After months of anger, resentment, threats and insults, players and owners appear to finally be seeing eye-to-eye on things.

For the first time since the players' initial victory in the courts, it looks inevitable that the NFL will not only have a 2011 season, but a full, uninterrupted season.

With that in mind, I can't think of a better time to look forward to 2012.

What? You mean you're not sick of projections about 2011 free agent prospects for the Lions? Okay, here.

Stephen Tulloch is a maybe, Chris Houston could stay, Nnamdi Asomugha isn't coming.

There. Now let's move on.

Terrell Thomas, CB

Terrell Thomas is probably going to be a very highly-paid cornerback when and if he hits the open market, but his price might be Lions-friendly if he continues to fly under the radar.

Thomas is quietly growing into a pretty good corner which is hard to do—Nothing that happens on a New York sports team happens quietly. Still, Thomas is somehow improving steadily with the Giants and not getting a whole lot of attention.

Thomas has been trending up for each of his first three years, with 81 tackles and 21 passes defended in 2010—both career highs. Thomas has also posted five interceptions in each of his last two seasons.

Better yet, the Giants just drafted Prince Amukamara, which may well render Thomas expendable to the Giants when he hits free agency.

Robert Mathis, DE

This one is probably a pipe dream, but Robert Mathis is slated to become a free agent in 2012, and the man can get after the quarterback from the end position.

The Lions are big fans of being able to rush the passer without blitzing, and Mathis is one of the league's best.

There are a couple of problems with this pairing, though. One, the Colts are not likely to let their most consistent pass rusher hit free agency if they can help it. If the franchise tag still exists after the CBA, expect it to stick here.

And if he does hit free agency, Mathis is going to command a titanic amount of money. The Lions have not made a habit of chasing down 31-year-old free agents with league-leading salaries.

Besides, Kyle Vanden Bosch will still have two years left on his contract in 2012, and he has proven incredibly valuable to the team in just his first year.

Robert Meachem, WR

Robert Meachem is one of the two best receivers in New Orleans, but Drew Brees is so good at spreading the ball around, he doesn't stand out nationally.

That's just how Detroit likes them. Talented and understated.

In his four-year career, Meachem has never started more than seven games in a season. He has, however, played in all 16 games for the last two seasons, so health isn't a big concern.

He caught 44 passes in 2010 and 45 in 2009, which aren't incredibly impressive numbers, especially since neither of those outputs have pushed him to 750 receiving yards or 10 touchdowns.

But that's just the point. Meachem's talent is there, he just loses some touches on account of the one ball theory.

Could Meachem be the next square peg pickup for the Lions?

Kamerion Wimbley, LB

Strongside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley is slated to make over $11 million in 2011, on account of the franchise tag.

Supposedly the Oakland Raiders want to re-sign him to a long-term contract after that, who knows if they'll be able to?

If Wimbley hits the open market, he's well worth a bid from the Lions. Even though he has grown into a hybrid DE/OLB role, he has played both professionally, and could be the spark to the team that Julian Peterson was supposed to be.

Wimbley doesn't get a lot of press because he started his career in Cleveland and now plays in Oakland, but he is a solid player who can rush the passer and stop the run. He might struggle if asked to play in pass coverage, but it isn't as though the Lions are sporting All-Pros at the LB position right now.

Brandon Meriweather, SS

I wouldn't expect Brandon Meriweather to make it to free agency, given the Patriots' track record. Most likely, he'll either re-sign at a discount or be traded for a king's ransom.

That, or he'll be in jail.

Still, as it stands now he's looking at free agency in 2012, so he's on the list.

Meriweather is a young stud in a Patriots secondary full of young studs. Problem is, he has a history of bad decisions, dating all the way back to curb-stomping Florida International players during the infamous Miami/FIU brawl in 2006.

So the guy has some personality flaws, offset by being a pretty good football player. Not the kind of guy fans typically like to see on their team, but is Erik Coleman a long-term answer?

There, I've made the case for Meriweather to Detroit.

Here's the counterpoint to that argument: He's either going to jail, or to Cincinnati.

Jeff Backus, LT/Scapegoat

What, like every FA signing in 2012 has to come from out of town?

Backus isn't getting any younger, and there's no doubt he needs a replacement pretty soon. I expect a high-round pick to go towards the left tackle spot in the 2012 draft, and that player will likely start straight away.

I also expect the Lions to struggle with depth, and Backus to want to finish his career in the place he spent the last decade of it.

Then again, Backus has been playing the best football of his career lately, and if that continues, he could command a reasonable amount of money.

The Lions need only consider re-signing him if he'll come back for a backup's salary.

Israel Idonije, DE

Pros:

- Israel Idonije is coming off a breakout season in which he notched eight sacks in his first year as a consistent starter.

- At 6' 6", 270 pounds, he gets after the quarterback better than he should from the end position. Could also provide Jim Schwartz with the versatility that he likes in his defensive linemen.

- The guy is Nigerian-Canadian. Seriously, how cool is that? Born in Lagos, Nigeria, went to high school and college in Manitoba.

Cons:

- Had to play for seven seasons before working his way out of a backup role and will be a 31-year-old free agent.

- Plays for the Bears therefore is overrated and one of my least-favorite football players in the NFL. Whoops, did I let my bias show there?

Matt Leinart, QB

Remember how everybody blasted the Detroit Lions for not taking Matt Leinart when the can't miss quarterback fell to them?

That's exactly why this would be fantastic.

But don't get me wrong this isn't a spiteful pick the Lions could make just to be funny. That's obviously not how you run a franchise.

There's actually a good chance Leinart has some value somewhere left in the tank and he still has a recognizable name to boot.

If the Lions are able to turn Leinart into a reclamation project in the backup role, they could turn around and Kevin Kolb him to whatever struggling team needs an experienced young quarterback.

More importantly, Leinart would fill the void left by Shaun Hill, who is also in a free agency year in 2011.

But an even better idea to fill Hill's spot on the roster is probably...

Shaun Hill, QB

Give me one good reason not to re-sign this guy.

After his 2010 campaign, he'll be trade bait for a handful of teams (read: those who don't get Donovan McNabb or Kevin Kolb), and in the meantime, he'll be one of the strongest backup quarterbacks in the NFL.

Hill spent a long time as a journeyman third-stringer who took work wherever he could find it, so it's not like he's going to hold out for the big payoff. He'll work for his money.

Earnest Graham, RB/FB

The blocking fullback is a dying breed in the NFL as the league trends towards speed over power.

Furthermore, Mikel Leshoure should come in and handle any dirty work the Lions need done in the trenches.

But as far as anyone knows Jerome Felton is still on the roster for the Lions and Earnest Graham does everything Felton does, only better.

Sounds like a step in the right direction to me.

E.J. Henderson, LB

If I didn't know better, I'd say E.J. Henderson was throwing Earl Bennett into a suplex.

Henderson is probably best known for the horrific broken leg he suffered against the Arizona Cardinals late in the 2009 season.

He responded to that season-ending injury by coming back in 2010, starting all 16 games, and notching 105 tackles and three interceptions.

I'd say his leg is fine.

There's a good chance Henderson makes it to free agency, too, since the Vikings are going to have to tie up a lot of money in re-signing Chad Greenway, as well as paying their new first-round quarterback.

Rashean Mathis, CB

Nathan Vasher will be a free agent in 2012, and I wouldn't guess the veteran is going to get a fat check to stick around.

Vasher is solid, but not special.

Therefore, meet Rashean Mathis, the Lions' new Nathan Vasher.

Despite starting for his entire career, Mathis has been unglamourous. In 2010 he posted 57 tackles, one interception, and six pass defenses.

Yes, he played and started 16 games.

Mathis isn't Nnamdi Asomugha, that much is certain. If he comes to Detroit and starts right away, something is probably very wrong. But he could be a great veteran insurance policy for a young and oft-injured Lions secondary.