Virtual GM: Detroit Lions Free Agency Wish List

The Lions have a ton of holes to fill throughout the roster, and will need to address many of them in Free Agency, prior to preparing their final draft wish lists.  The Lions have a good amount of cap room going into next season and should be major players in the free agency market.  As in the first edition of Virtual GM, I have appointed myself GM of the Detroit Lions and will now discuss the players I will be interested in and/or targeting this offseason as well as the reasoning behind it.

Aside from the obvious, which is that the Lions need to get better everywhere, I will make it a point to address the trenches (offense and defense) and get some play makers on defense.

Granted, this is a wish list, therefore more than one person may be listed at a position while obviously we may only be able to sign one guy.  For ease of reading, I will follow the position title with the # of signings I'm looking for in parentheses ().

DEFENSE

DT (2)

A. Haynesworth- Top DT available and is having a tremendous year for Tennessee.  He would be the huge force needed on the DL and fill the void left by Shaun Rogers.

G. Watson - An awesome run-stopper in college (Michigan) and a massive presence at 6'3" 332 lbs.. Has seen limited action in Arizona and is stuck down in the depth chart.  When he does get in the game though, things happen.  He has seen time in eight games this season, with eight Tackles, one Sack, and two Forced Fumbles.

Analysis- Signing these two guys would allow the us to move Redding back to DE and rotate him at DT when needed along with Andre Fluellen and Chuck Darby.

DE (1)

J. Peppers - An absolute beast!  No question, the best FA available. Strikes fear in the opposition every time he takes the field. He will likely re-sign with the Panthers, but if not, i'd certainly pay to get him.

T. Suggs - Doesn't get as much pub as Peppers but might be just as good.  The NCAA single season sack king has wreaked havoc at the Pro level on one of the perennial top defenses.  He'd be a great fit as a pass rusher, but has enough bulk to play the run too.

Analysis- Signing either of these guys, along with the monster DT's would instantly give the Lions one of the best DL's in football.  A rotation of Redding, DeWayne White, Cliff Avril, I. Alama-Francis, and the signee would be pretty tough at the ends.

MLB (1)

J. Vilma - Odd man out in New York in the 3-4, but is a perfect 4-3 MLB.  Injury concerns stopped the Lions from getting him last year.  I wouldn't make that mistake twice.

C. Crowder - Fast, Hard-Nosed, good in coverage.  What isn't to like here.

K. Dansby - Has been seeking an extension and may be re-signed but also is unhappy that they didn't extend him.  His play is awesome and he's always around the ball. 

Analysis- Any of these guys would be a huge upgrade over Paris Lenon and would allow us to move J. Dizon to OLB opposite E. Sims.  Defense needs a good quarterback too, and these guys are good QB's.

OLB (1)

B. Scott - Another Baltimore defender who is flat out good. Diciplined in his approach and a sure tackler, which are two things lacking with the current Lions bunch. Also, he played his high school ball at Detroit Southeastern, so may be inclined to come home.

Analysis - There are a couple of other good OLB's available but Scott is the only one i'd go after.  If I can't get Scott, I'd just wait and address the position through the draft.

CB (1)

C. Gamble - The 2nd best CB available behind Ashomouga from Oakland.  Gamble is a ballhawk who is always around the ball and comes up with big plays.  No pun intended, but he is a bit of a gambler though, so needs good safety help.

D. Robinson - Has regressed a little since his rookie season, but is still a solid CB who likes to hit.  The Lions are running a Tampa 2 D that requires the DB's to come up in run support.  Robinson is a good fit and also has great cover skills.

Analysis- One of these guys would turn a weakness at CB into a strength.  The signee would team with Leigh Bodden as the starters and would be backed up by Keith Smith, Ramzee Robinson, and any drafted players.

OFFENSE

RB (1)

D. Sproles - Perfect complement to Kevin Smith and offers alot in the return game. Has shown that he can take a beating too, in relief of LT.

Analysis- Sproles is the only running back i'd consider in Free Agency as Kevin Smith is the future, but in today's NFL, you need two good backs and Sproles would be a great change of pace back.

C (1)

R. Incognito - Very tough, solid center who would be an upgrade over fellow Cornhusker, Dominic Raiola.  Incognito is strong and won't be overpowered by big DT's.

Analysis- Raiola is arguably the best offensive lineman the Lions have, but he gets pushed around too easily despite being technically sound. He's be better as a backup at the C and G positions.

LT (1)

M. Smith - An absolute beast of a T in Pittsburgh along with Starks on one of the best OL's in the league. Very capable of protecting the QB's blind side and mauling in the run game. 

J. Gross - Probably the top LT available this year.  He is good at everything and has very few weaknesses.  He's not on the level of Ogden, Pace, or Shields of a few years ago, but is close.

J. Runyan - Michigan product who is still very good despite being well into his 30's.  Injuries are a bit of a concern but he can play both T positions well.

M. Starks - Massive, young, and athletic. Starks has done a great job in Pittsburgh and can play both T positions.

Analysis- Any of these guys would be great and is imperative to the success of the offense.  The Lions rarely can get anything going because of poor line play. Last year's 1st rounder, Gosder Cherilus and the newcomer, along with what will likely be a high draft pick would shore the position up for years to come.

RG (0*)

J. Backus - Has been average for the Lions and is often exposed as a LT.  His skills are a better fit for either RT or a G spot.  Given some success signing some of the the guys i've listed above, I'd move Backus to RG and also have him backup both T positions.