Detroit Lions: Is a heapin’ helpin’ of Hankins still possible?

The Detroit Lions have already passed on Johnathan Hankins once, but is it possible that they might find a way to sign him after all?

It would appear that the Detroit Lions have done all they can in free agency and are now squarely focused on the draft. A draft in which they have only six picks and many needs to fill.

Lions general manager Bob Quinn has already stated that they would like to acquire more picks if possible to help them fill more needs, but what if they were able to fill one more position of need before the draft?

An acquisition that could help open up the draft just a little bit more for themselves, whether they are able to accumulate more picks or not.

Free agent nose-tackle Johnathan Hankins continues to be a unsigned. A prized force at the nose-tackle position that not only stops the opponents run game in its tracks, but can also rush the passer. A rare combination, that makes any 3-4 defense so much better.

Hankins would also still be able to contribute big time as a tackle in a 4-3 defense. Basically he’s a wrecking ball that can control the middle of the line of scrimmage, create havoc and help the linebackers, especially the middle backers, be that much more effective.

The problem is that his asking price is simply too high.

So how on earth could the Lions have any chance of signing him? A week ago the answer was that there simply was no possibility. Yet time marches on and things change.

Let’s start with the fact that the Indianapolis Colts did Hankins no favors by releasing him late, relatively speaking, in free agency. Although this wasn’t all their fault.