Lions Insider

PHOENIX -- Former Detroit Lions linebacker Justin Durant told Sirius NFL Radio in an interview earlier this month that he'd like to re-sign with the Lions.

Almost a week into free agency, Durant remains unsigned, and it's looking less likely Detroit will be a landing spot for him in 2013 and beyond.

"I really don't know how it's going to play out," Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew said Monday at the NFL League Meetings when asked about Durant. "I know we've got some young guys we drafted at that position. We kind of want to see those guys."

Mayhew is referring to second-year players Tahir Whitehead and Travis Lewis, whom the team drafted in the fifth and seventh rounds, respectively, in last year's NFL Draft.

The team also re-signed Ashlee Palmer to a two-year deal worth $3.25 million at the end of last year, and like Carmen Messina, who spent last year on the practice squad and signed a futures contract in January.

The Lions are no longer in the market for any big-money free agent contracts. They now seem to be in the market for free agent deals and looking towards the draft to fill needs. That might leave Durant on the outside looking in in Detroit.

Durant signed a free agent deal with the Lions before the 2011 season. He was second on the team behind Stephen Tulloch (112) with 103 tackles last year.