National Football League

Detroit Lions free agency preview: How to replace Suh?

Published Mar. 4, 2015 11:09 a.m. ET

Ross Jones

After allowing the most-prized free agent to walk out their doors, the Detroit Lions must find a new identity on defense.

Ndamukong Suh was the centerpiece of the Lions' defense for the last five seasons. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin will have to reassemble a unit that finished among the top in every category.

Along with Suh's anticipated departure is other defensive linemen such as Nick Fairley, C.J. Mosley and Andre Fluellen.

How will general manager Martin Mayhew navigate free agency's waters this offseason?

How they finished:

2014: 11-5 -- Loss in Wild Card round against Dallas

2013: 7-9 -- No postseason

Adjusted salary cap space: $17 million

Potential free-agency targets: Looking to bolster their defensive line, the Lions could opt to go after Cleveland's Ahtyba Rubin or New York's Kenrick Ellis.

Potential cap casualties: Linebacker Stephen Tulloch is entering the fourth year of his five-year deal and is scheduled to make a base salary of $4.5 million. Tulloch, who tore his ACL after a sack celebration, was never a natural fit in Austin's scheme and could be a savvy salary dump.

Offseason needs: CB, DL, OL

Notable free agents:

DT Ndamukong Suh

DT Nick Fairley

DT C.J. Mosley

DT Andre Fluellen

DE George Johnson

OL Garrett Reynolds

C Dominic Raiola

LG Rob Sims

CB Rashean Mathis

CB Cassius Vaughn