The Detroit Lions have had a top-10 draft pick each of the last two years, a position that would be ideal if they have to completely rebuild the middle of their defensive line.
Not only is Ndamukong Suh a free agent, but so are Nick Fairley, C.J. Mosley and Andre Fluellen. They were the top four defensive tackles on the league's No. 2 defense.
Although starting defensive end Jason Jones has the versatility to move inside, the lone D-tackle who is signed for 2015 is Caraun Reid, a fifth-round pick last year. But Reid was inactive for the final five games as a rookie.
The Lions went searching for some possible replacements Sunday when the defensive linemen took the field for the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
The problem is that the elite D-tackles aren't going to be available when the Lions are on the clock with the 23rd pick overall following their 11-win, playoff season.
The top four players at that position -- USC's Leonard Williams, Washington's Danny Shelton, Texas' Malcolm Brown and Oregon's Arik Armstead -- are currently projected as likely top-15 selections.
"They've got some decisions to make about that defensive line, which will certainly impact their draft decisions," NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said.
The Lions still have the option of putting the franchise tag on Suh to keep him out of free agency for another year.
However, that would require a $26.9 million salary for 2015, creating salary-cap problems for a team that already has major cap hits for quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Calvin Johnson.
The deadline for putting the tag on Suh is March 2. Free agency officially begins March 10.
"I laugh with the whole Detroit thing," Mayock said, referring to the D-line uncertainty. "Talk about rags to riches and back again. They barely have a defensive tackle on their roster going into free agency. It will be intriguing to see what happens."
Assuming Williams, Shelton, Brown and Armstead are already off the board, the Lions would have to turn their attention to one of probably four other players if they intend to take a defensive tackle.
Mayock considers all four to be "high-level players." He ranked Oklahoma's Jordan Phillips and Florida State's Eddie Goldman tied for the fifth-best D-tackle entering the Combine.
Phillips, who is 6-foot-5, 329 pounds, ran the 40-yard dash in 5.2 seconds, which is "pretty good for 330 pounds," Mayock said.
Mayock refers to Phillips as a "dancing bear" because he has such good foot movement for his size.
Goldman wasn't able to take part in Sunday's workout because of a minor injury. Teams should be able to evaluate him better during Florida State's pro day.
The other two defensive tackles that the Lions could consider are both from the Big Ten -- Ohio Stae's Michael Bennett and Iowa's Carl Davis.
Bennett also was unable to run at the Combine because of a leg injury. He should be able to take part in Ohio State's pro day.
Davis, meanwhile, has "first round" talent, according to Mayock, but "didn't always show it" during his college career.
Davis, who played in high school at Sterling Heights (Mich.) Stevenson, is 6-5, 320 and emerged as a first-round candidate with an impressive performance during the Senior Bowl when he was selected as the top defensive lineman.
Former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah, an analyst for the NFL Network, calls Davis an "enigma" because his tape from Iowa is so unimpressive.
Davis and Bennett weren't projected as first-round picks before the Combine by Jeremiah, while Goldman was penciled in at No. 28 to Denver and Phillips at No. 30 to Green Bay.
If the Lions decide to pass on a defensive tackle in the first round, there's enough depth that they'll have some other solid options later on when Mayock believes "a bunch of other good ones" will be available.
In fact, Mayock said Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano told him before the defensive linemen took the field, "There are more dudes (quality players with athleticism) out there than ever."
EXTRA POINTS
--- The Lions and the players union are in disagreement over the free-agent status of defensive end George Johnson, according to the Detroit Free Press. The Lions believe he's a restricted free agent while the union considers him unrestricted.
The issue comes down to how many games Johnson was on the Vikings' roster before getting released in 2013.
If he's ruled a UFA, Johnson can sign with any team he chooses. If he's a RFA, the Lions could match any offer to keep Johnson.
--- Rugby star Jarryd Hayne is expected to sign with the Lions, presumably as a running back.
--- Mayock said he was surprisingly impressed with the "movement skills" of Central Michigan defensive tackle Leterrius Walton during the East-West Shrine Game.
