It remains to be seen how big of players the Lions will be in free agency this offseason. They’ve made some terrific acquisitions over the last two years with players like 
Lions general manager Martin Mayhew said after the season that the team was focusing first on signing it’s own key free agents, but Mayhew and his personnel staff are always on the lookout for ways to increase the talent level on the roster and adding a free agent or two is always a possibility.
Here is a look at the top unrestricted free agents this offseason on offense:
QUARTERBACKS
Drew Brees, Saints: Realistically, Brees isn’t going anywhere. All indications are that he likes the city of New Orleans and coach Sean Payton. Brees will likely end his career in a Saints uniform.
Alex Smith, 49ers: First-year head coach Jim Harbaugh found a successful formula by playing great defense, running the ball and coaching Smith to be efficient with the ball. Smith had a 90.7 rating and threw 17 touchdowns to only five interceptions.
Matt Flynn, Packers: Flynn is a career back-up who’s done enough to get a shot at being a starter in the league. He learned in a great system behind MVP Aaron Rodgers and threw for 480 yards and six touchdowns in a Week 17 victory over the Lions when he got a chance to start. The Dolphins will likely court him heavily.
Kyle Orton, Broncos: Orton had two good seasons in Denver in 2009 and 2010 before he was replaced by Tim Tebow last season. Orton is a terrific back-up to have on a roster and a player who could compete for a No. 1 job in camp in the right situation.
Jason Campbell, Raiders: Campbell was 4-2 as a starter before suffering a season-ending collarbone injury in Week 7 against the Browns. Like Orton, Campbell would be a great back-up who could also compete for a starting job. He still has something left in the tank.
RUNNING BACKS
Matt Forte, Bears: Forte is a four-tool back who excels at running inside, running outside, catching the ball out of the backfield and is good in protection. Forte averaged 4.9 yards per rush and had more than 1,500 total yards in 12 games.
Ray Rice, Ravens: Like Forte, Rice can do it all. He finished 2011 with more than 2,000 total yards and 15 touchdowns. Rice is also durable, playing in every game for the Ravens over the last three seasons.
Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks: Lynch averaged more than 100 yards per game over the teams final nine games and averaged 4.5 yards per carry. Lynch has a rare combination of size and speed, which allowed him to get into the end zone 12 times this season.
Michael Bush, Raiders: At 6-foot-1, 245 pounds, Bush has the size to bang inside but also has quick feet. He’s the same type of back as the Falcons’ Michael Turner and the Giants’ Brandon Jacobs.
Peyton Hillis, Browns: Hillis played in only 10 games in 2011 after a breakout 2010. He would be a great acquisition for a team looking for a power back. The ideal situation for Hillis might be pairing with a speed back to make a formidable one-two punch.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Vincent Jackson, Chargers: A bona fide No. 1 receiver, Jackson is coming off a 1,106-yard season with nine touchdowns. Jackson is 6-5 and a tough match-up for any cornerback, especially in the redzone.
Wes Welker, Patriots: Welker has revolutionized the slot receiver position and most teams are trying to copy his abilities when searching for their own slot receivers. Welker had 122 catches for 1,569 yards and nine touchdowns. At age 30, Welker still has plenty of good years left.
DeSean Jackson, Eagles: Jackson acted like a toddler, whose parents had just taken his sucker away, for the last part of the season in response to his contract situation. However, speed kills in the NFL and Jackson has plenty of it. Add in his punt return capabilities, and he’ll be a sought-after asset.
Marques Colston, Saints: He had 80 receptions for over 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns this season. The Saints have a few high-profile free agents and it’ll be interesting see how they allocate their resources. He is that offense’s most prolific receiver, though.
Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs: Bowe’s touchdown receptions dropped from 15 in 2010 to five last season, but he still had 81 catches for 1,159 yards. He’s certainly a candidate for the Chiefs’ franchise tag.
TIGHT ENDS
Jermichael Finley, Packers: Finley has all the physical tools and talent in the world, but he’s plagued by inconsistency. He has way too many drops for and that’s been the one drawback to his game for the last couple seasons. He averaged 13.9 yards per reception and had eight touchdowns, though, and could be a candidate for franchise tag.
Fred Davis, Redskins: Davis has already been mentioned for the franchise tag in Washington. The little more than $5 million franchise tag would be a bargain for a tight end who caught 59 passes for 796 yards in only 12 games this season.
Jacob Tamme, Colts: Tamme was an afterthought in the Colts offense behind starter Dallas Clark. But in 2010, when Clark missed almost the entire season with a wrist injury, Tamme had 67 catches for 631 yards and four touchdowns. He’s proven he can be productive when given an opportunity to start.
John Carlson, Seahawks: Carlson missed all of last season with a torn labrum. He’s only 27, though, and has a couple 50-catch seasons in the league. He’d be a great addition to a team looking to establish a second quality tight end to form a good duo.
Visanthe Shiancoe, Vikings: Shiancoe’s production was down in 2011, but he still played in all 16 games with 36 catches for 409 yards and three touchdowns. He’s only three seasons removed from an 11-touchdown season in 2009.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Carl Nicks, G, Saints: Can the Saints afford to dole out another $50 million or so to another guard after signing Jahri Evans to a big deal in 2010? It will be hard for the Saints to swing it and Nicks will get plenty of big-money offers around the league as one of the game’s premier interior lineman.
Chris Meyers, C, Texans: Meyers seems a good fit in the Texans’ zone scheme, starting all 16 games for the team each of the last four years. He’s helped the Texans become one of the best rushing teams in the league.
Demitrius Bell, T, Bills: It’s not a coincidence that the Bills offense began to struggle when Bell was lost for the season at about the midway point. The Bills just signed quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to a long-term deal and getting his blindside protector with Bell, 27, should be high on the list for the Bills, too.
Ben Grubbs, G, Ravens: Grubbs has helped anchor one of the best offensive line groups for the last five seasons. Grubbs only turns 28 this offseason and already has 70 starts under his belt in five seasons.
Jared Gaither, T, Chargers: After being cut by the Chiefs late in the season, Gaither found a home in San Diego and started the last five games of the season. He was solid with the Chargers and helped anchor their playoff run. He’s a scary long-term signing, though, after inconsistencies with both the Ravens and Chiefs.
