NFL Free Agency: New Cap Casualties the Detroit Lions Should Target

Let the feeding frenzy begin!

Now that the NFL lockout has mercifully ended, the real fun begins.

The Detroit Lions have about a week to decide exactly which players fit their team and which ones they can afford.

The playoffs could be made or not made this week, so there should be plenty of scrutiny to go around.

Here are a few players who should be highlighted, targeted and hopefully signed.

Nick Barnett, LB (Green Bay Packers)

Nick Barnett, I'm sure I don't have to tell you, is a beast.

Since being drafted by Green Bay, he has absolutely feasted on the Lions.

So why does he fit?

First, he plays a position of need (middle linebacker). I know, the Lions like DeAndre Levy there, but he could move over to outside linebacker in a heartbeat.

Secondly, Barnett is a fierce competitor who is likely looking for some revenge on a rival team. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, right?

Thirdly, he is motivated. Barnett has had a couple of injury-plagued years recently, and he could come to Detroit for an incentive-laden deal for a year in order to boost his stock for the next year. Basically, he could be a rich man's Larry Foote.

Barnett is sure to be cut if Green Bay can't deal him, so let's all hope they struggle to make that work since a trade to a rival would be out of the question.

Brian Waters, G (Kansas City Chiefs)

The Lions need to upgrade their line, and they likely will start tackling that issue this week.

The big-name players are probably off the table, but a nice stop-gap measure would surely work.

Brian Waters is sure to be cut by Kansas City given his huge salary. Waters is a five-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro.

He is 34, but Waters still has enough left to improve the Lions' guard corps.

Rocky Mcintosh, LB (Washington Redskins)

This is the type of player the Lions need to target. McIntosh is coming off a bad year, due largely to the fact that he was miscast in the Redskins' 3-4 defensive scheme.

He plays with a mean streak, yet is under control—and he should be had on the cheap.

In the Lions' system, McIntosh should be the ideal player to fill holes, and given the size and power of the Lions' front four, this team could be a linebacker's dream.

A player with something to prove? Sign me up!

Antonio Cromartie, CB (New York Jets)

Let's kill all that Nnamdi talk right now. I want him too, but not for $20 million. The Lions cannot afford to stray from their rebuilding plan for one player to take up a sixth of the salary cap—not when Suh and Stafford are already taking up a ton, and Megatron will need a new deal soon.

So who are the next best corners? Antonio Cromartie is in the conversation, and with good reason.

Cromartie has shown that in the right system, he can be a beast. In San Diego a few years ago, he picked off 10 passes.

Last year he teamed with Darrelle Revis to form one of the best tandems in football. So does he have what it takes to be a No. 1 corner?

I think so. Cromartie reminds me of a bigger, more explosive Dre Bly. With the Lions' ability to get to the quarterback, Cromartie should be able to pick up at least six picks, not including games against the Bears.

The key here will be compensation. If he wants more than $10 million, the Lions have to pass. But if they can get him for about double what he made last year ($1.2 million), it would be a wise investment.

Personally, I think he should fetch closer to $6 million, which would be a lot, but maybe worth it.

Johnathan Joseph, CB (Cincinnati Bengals)

Johnathan Joseph made a lot of money last year.

How much he makes this year could determine the Lions' fate.

Joseph is definitely a player the Lions should be targeting. The problem is if he wants what he made last year, or even close to it, he is out of the Lions' price range.

Joseph earned $8.7 million last year. If he is willing to cut that in half, the Lions will definitely sign him.

If not, he will be heading elsewhere. It is as simple as that.

Leonard Davis, OT (Dallas Cowboys)

The Dallas Cowboys have big aspirations this year. They also have a big payroll that is in need of pruning.

At the top of that list is Davis, who is owed $6 million this year.

With the torn pectoral injury to Jeff Backus, Davis—at the very least—could provide some insurance for Stafford's blind side. Add to that the potential of moving Backus in to guard or Davis challenging Gosder Cherilus.

The possibilities are endless. But if Davis would drop that salary down to $3-4 million, he could be a nice fit.

Domonique Foxworth, CB (Baltimore Ravens)

The Baltimore Ravens have some tough decisions ahead of them. They are slightly over the salary cap and will need to cut some players.

Todd Heap is likely gone, as is Willis McGahee. Could Domonique Foxworth be too?

Foxworth has a bloated salary and seems to be expendable.

So who is he? A former third-round pick of the Broncos, Foxworth started 16 games for Baltimore and had four picks.

He isn't the biggest or toughest corner, but he would be a nice No. 2 corner in Detroit's system.

Corey Webster, CB (New York Giants)

So why exactly would the Giants drop their starting cornerback? They have eight million reasons—that is what Webster will earn this year.

The Giants will likely ask him to restructure, but if that fails, the Lions need to swoop in here.

Webster is a gamer who could automatically transform their secondary. If they decide to keep him at this deal, then look for safety Deon Grant to be cut, another guy who could help the Lions.

Nate Clements, CB (San Fransisco 49ers)

Nate Clements is a big, physical corner who started all but one game last year for the 49ers.

So why would they get rid of him?

New coach Jim Harbaugh is from Michigan, and Clements is from Ohio State.

Just kidding; Harbaugh will cut him because he is a former quarterback, and they hate corners.

Also a joke. But what isn't a joke is Clements' salary, which is upwards of $7 million.

Considering his age (31), that is a lot of cap space for the new coach to justify. Clements still is highly-skilled and could be a nice pickup for the Lions.

Renaldo Hill, S (Denver Broncos)

The Broncos have two high-priced, aging safeties on their team. Both could be gone—and one is from Detroit.

Renaldo Hill had more than 60 tackles last year to go along with a forced fumble and two picks.

For the right price, he would be a nice upgrade opposite Louis Delmas.