The Detroit Lions are in the unique position of being a very good team, coming off a trip to the NFC Championship Game, and having quite a bit of cap space as free agency nears ($46.65 million, ninth-most in the league, according to Over The Cap). And while the clock is certainly ticking, there are some very cut-and-dry, almost simple, moves in play that could clear a lot more cap room.
The question is how the Lions will allocate the dollars they have to spend. General manager Brad Holmes has placed a clear priority on "keeping our own", but he may have opened the door just a little for a splashy move to add someone. In a vacuum, it would be nice to see a big swing to address a need as the Lions look to take the next step toward making (or winning) a Super Bowl.
Even if the Lions make a big move to add someone, they will sign free agents who will come at a far lower cost. A few spots on the roster are headed for some turnover, and/or need added depth. The deeper questions are where or how or if those needs will be filled with external free agents.
On the bargain shopping end of free agency, here are five potential targets who make sense for the Lions.