The Detroit Lions answered one major problem by trading for defensive tackle Haloti Ngata to help replace Ndamukong Suh, but there's still a lot of work to do to fill some roster holes.
The Lions currently have about $7 million-$8 million available in cap space, but more than half of that will be needed to sign their draft picks.
As a result, they don't have a lot to spend unless they restructure a contract (probably Calvin Johnson) to lower a current cap hit.
Here's an update on some of the team's top remaining questions as free agency begins its second full day:
OFFENSIVE LINE
Are they going to re-sign left guard Rob Sims, who has started every game for the last five seasons?
Sims, 31, is an unrestricted free agent and would be entering his 10th year in the NFL.
The Lions apparently are considering other options. The team confirmed that Justin Blalock, who was released last month by Atlanta, is making a visit Thursday to the Lions' headquarters in Allen Park, Mich.
Blalock, 31, a second-round draft pick by the Falcons in 2007, has missed only three games in eight seasons.
He's 6-foot-4, 326 pounds, and would give an otherwise young Lions' offensive line a veteran presence to help replace leaders such as center Dominic Raiola and presumably Sims.
The St. Louis Rams have also expressed interest in Blalock.
CORNERBACK
Will they bring back Rashean Mathis, who will turn 35 in August, for his 13th NFL season?
Mathis was in this same situation a year ago and eventually re-signed with the Lions. He started every game and had a solid season.
So far, Mathis is doing a good job fighting off "father time," and considering his impact on the team's younger cornerbacks, it makes sense for the Lions to keep him for one more year.
In fact, with most of the top cornerbacks already signed, it's questionable how much of an upgrade the Lions really could get at this point in the free-agent market.
Mathis is probably the best option based on a combination of character, experience and recent performance.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Even with Ngata, the Lions only have two D-tackles on the roster, including Caraun Reid, a seldom-used rookie last season.
It appears that negotiations with Nick Fairley, their first-round draft pick from 2011, have completely broken down. He made a visit Wednesday to Cincinnati and is also reportedly scheduled to meet with St. Louis.
The Lions have two other free agents -- C.J. Mosley and Andre Fluellen -- who they could re-sign to be part of the D-line rotation.
Most of the top interior linemen already have been signed. A recent addition to the free-agent pool is Randy Starks, 31, a two-time Pro Bowler who was released by the Miami Dolphins to help make room for Suh's big salary. Starks had 4 1/2 sacks in 15 games last season.
Two other areas that could be addressed in free agency are a No. 3 receiver and a running back to replace Reggie Bush, but the needs upfront and in the secondary appear to be the more logical ways for the Lions to spend their limited money right now.
EXTRA POINT
--- Free-agent fullback Jed Collins, who played last season in Detroit, signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys. He could be replaced by 6-2, 245-pound Emil Igwenagu, 25, an undrafted player out of Massachusetts who was on the Lions' practice squad last season.
