Top 5 free agents left for the Lions at each positions of need

NFL free agency officially gets underway at 4:00 PM on Wednesday and while a lot of things have been verbally agreed to, teams can’t put pen to paper until after 4:00. There’s still a lot of great free agents left on the board for the Detroit Lions. Here’s our top five in the Lions positions of need. 

Edge

• Jadeveon Clowney: He had 10 sacks last year and showed some of the play that made him the first pick in the NFL Draft. At 31-years old, he could come a lot cheaper than the guys that got signed before him. 
• Calais Campbell: Veteran experience. That’s what Campbell has in spades. he’s been playing in the NFL since 2008 and he hasn’t really slowed down. The Lions could get him on a short term deal and use his experience to help the Lions young players.
• Chase Young: The Lions didn’t trade for him at the deadline last year and now they could likely get him significantly cheaper than they would have then. There is some questions about how good he is though.  
• Derek Barnett: The Eagles let Barnett go midseason last year after six seasons. He had looked like he passed his prime. Then he went to the Texans and played exceptionally well as a starter for them down the stretch and in the playoffs. Barnett is still 28-years-old. There might be something there. 
• Trevis Gipson: Gipson is a bit of project. He spent time with Terrel Williams in Tennessee and played his best ball there. A reunion with Williams could be fruitful. 

Safety

• Quandre Diggs: Suddenly a Diggs reunion with the Lions doesn’t seem like it’s out of the question now that C.J. Gardner-Johnson has gone back to the Eagles. Diggs would be very good in a rotation. He still has plenty left in him. 
• Kamren Curl: A surprising release by the Commanders. Curl is just 24-years-old and he’s played pretty well. He could be a solid addition for the Lions that could be with the team for while.
• Miles Killebrew: Speaking of reunions, Killebrew could be an interesting one. He could come back to not just play safety, but also be a key special teams player.
• Eddie Jackson: The veteran spent a lot of years in Chicago playing against the Lions. Now he could come to the dark side and help the Lions.
• Tashaun Gipson: Another veteran safety that still has some gas left in the tank and can be a veteran presence in a pretty young secondary.

Defensive Tackle

• D.J. Reader: A run stopper and a space eater. This would allow the Lions to once again be a strong run stopping team and that space eating could help the pass rushing. Reader will visit the Lions on Thursday.
• Sheldon Rankins: Here’s a guy that I personally have been mocking to the Lions in many different ways since he got drafted. There’s a connection there with Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn. There’s a real possibility of this one happening.
• Benito Jones: Jones struggled last season in a lot of different areas, but one place he didn’t struggle is stopping the run. As an RFA, he’s an easy and cheap decision to bring back.
• Neville Gallimore: A young depth piece that could help the Lions and grow with the team. The Cowboys just didn’t have the space for him. 
• Michael Hoecht: The young Ram had a breakout season last year with six sacks in 17 starts. There’s a good chance the Rams look to bring him back, but if they don’t the Lions should take a swing here. 

Guard

• Kevin Zeitler: The Lions lost Jonah Jackson this week, but here’s a short term veteran option to start in his place while the Lions build up a rookie guard or the young depth they have. 
• Laken Tomlinson: Same thing here. The former Pro Bowler and former first round pick for the Lions could have a reunion here and be a solid guard.
• Dalton Risner: He’s not really turned out to be the star guard that some thought he would be, but he’s been decent. The Lions could get him for cheap.
• Andrus Peat: The former Saints first round pick has experience with Dan Campbell. This is one to watch for a depth piece. 
• Connor Williams: This would be the best route the Lions could go. Williams is an immediate starter and he also has experience playing center. He’s going to cost though.