After the free agent signings of linebackers Stephen Tulloch and Justin Durrant along with the resigning of cornerback Chris Houston, it appears the Lions are close to done spending this off-season.  The only real question mark left that can be filled this off-season is restricted free agent defensive end Cliff Avril, who had a career year last season with nine sacks.  Avril is a key part of the Lions defensive line as his ability to rush off the edge is vital to the potential success the line will have as a whole.

The only remaining player that I would like to see the Lions try to acquire is cornerback Asante Samuel, who may have become expendable with the Philadelphia Eagles signing Nnamdi Asomugha and picking up Dominic Rodgers-Cromartie in the trade with the Cardinals for QB Kevin Kolb.  What the Eagles would want in return for Samuel is yet to be known, but if the price is right a combo of Samuel and Houston would be the final piece of the defensive rebuilding project.

Other positions I think the Lions should still be searching is on the offensive line.  If they are unable to find some sort of upgrade in free agency, then signing a few guys for depth should be a high priority.  Both tackles are coming in to camp with injury issues, as Jeff Backus tries to recover from his pectoral tear and Gosder Cherilus recovering from knee surgery.  The key to this season is quarterback Matthew Stafford staying health and playing all 16 games, and it doesn’t seem like the line is up to the task as of right now.

Also on the injury path, rookie defensive tackle Nick Fairley gave everyone a scare at practice has he had to leave early.  X-Rays came back negative and according to the Detroit Free Press it is nothing serious.  Fairley himself said that it is just a sprain and expects to be back to practice by the end of the week.