This is the next installment of a series previewing NFL free agency for the Detroit Lions. Teams and agents can legally begin negotiating contracts at noon on March 10, and new contracts can be signed when the new league year begins at 4 p.m. on March 12. Today’s preview: Defensive line.

Edge defenders

Expected on the 90-man roster: Aidan Hutchinson, Nate Lynn, Josh Paschal, Za’Darius Smith, Isaac Ukwu

Pending free agents: Mitchell Agude, John Cominsky, Marcus Davenport, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Jonah Williams

Best available free agents: Joey Bosa (Chargers), Malcolm Koonce (Raiders), Harold Landry III (Titans), Khalil Mack (Chargers), Josh Sweat (Eagles), Chase Young (Saints)

We’ve chopped the defensive line lookahead into a pair of groups: Edge defenders and defensive tackles. We’ll attack those working off the edge first, as some of free agency’s biggest names reside in that unit.

But before we get into potential acquisitions, let’s take a look at what the Lions are working with.

Aidan Hutchinson, of course, is the leader among this crew. He was off to a torrid pace through the first 4.5 games of 2024 (45 pressures and 7.5 sacks), and there are no long-term concerns about the broken leg that cost him the majority of his third campaign. He’ll be about 10½ months removed from the injury when Week 1 rolls around.

The Lions have been searching for a consistent presence opposite Hutchinson. Their best bet on the current roster is Za’Darius Smith, who posted 36 pressures and 4.0 sacks after Detroit traded for him ahead of last season’s deadline. There’s fourth-year defensive end Josh Paschal, too, though he, along with other pieces such as Nate Lynn and Isaac Ukwu, project more as rotational contributors.

Of the pending free agents, Al-Quadin Muhammad seems to be the most likely candidate to return. The Lions were forced into signing a number of defensive mercenaries last season, and Muhammad, with his 24 pressures and 3.0 sacks over nine games, stuck out. We’ll see how the Lions approach deals with Marcus Davenport and John Cominsky, as both are coming off season-ending injuries. If they can get either back as depth, it’s a home run. But asking one of them to start, like Detroit did with Davenport in 2024, would be a tough sell to fans who just watched their team’s defensive front fall apart due to injuries.

On to the fun part. Between experienced veterans like Joey Bosa (Chargers) and Khalil Mack (Chargers) and middle-career pieces like Josh Sweat (Eagles) and Chase Young (Saints), the Lions have plenty of opportunity to make a splash. Sweat is one of the best players in free agency at any position, but Spotrac has his market value estimated at $18.8 million. Young is up there, as well, with a market value at $17.5 million. Those figures are a little pricey for a Lions team looking to doll out extensions over the next couple years.

Harold Landry III (Titans), who is reportedly getting released by Tennessee, could be interesting, but no one should be surprised if he reunites with head coach Mike Vrabel in New England. The Patriots need some juice, and Landry’s 30 pressures and 9.0 sacks in 2024 make him a prime candidate.

The Lions prefer a power rusher on the other side of Hutchinson, someone who can “crush the can” and not allow an escape route to open. A couple of options who fit this description and won’t break the bank are Derek Barnett (Texans) and L.J. Collier (Cardinals), who have projected market values of $7.1 million and $3.1 million, respectively. Barnett had 18 pressures and 5.0 sacks last season, and he turned in a better-than-average run-defense grade from Pro Football Focus (72.6). Collier, meanwhile, had 29 pressures and 3½ sacks, though his run-defense grade (44.1) was less than ideal.

Signing Barnett, Collier or another low-cost edge defender would give the Lions someone who could compete with Paschal for snaps behind Hutchinson and Smith, assuming Smith isn’t released at some point for cap relief. It would also keep the door open on using the No. 28 overall pick on a pass rusher in April’s draft.

Defensive tackles

Expected on the 90-man roster: Brodric Martin, Alim McNeill, DJ Reader, Chris Smith, Mekhi Wingo

Pending free agents: Myles Adams, Levi Onwuzurike, Pat O’Connor, Kyle Peko

Best available free agents: Jonathan Allen (Commanders), Calais Campbell (Dolphins), B.J. Hill (Bengals), Sebastian Joseph-Day (Titans), Milton Williams (Eagles)

It took some time for Levi Onwuzurike to get things going, but the former second-round pick was one of Detroit’s most underrated players in 2024. His numbers in the box score — 28 total tackles and 1.5 sacks — weren’t spectacular, though his impact was evident through his 45 pressures (tied for the most on the team) and his ability to play all over the defensive line.

Given his familiarity with the team and his promising fourth season, it makes sense why the Lions would be interested in bringing Onwuzurike back. The situation with Alim McNeill, who tore his ACL in December (we’ll have to wait and see if he’s ready to play by the season opener), makes a new deal for Onwuzurike all the more valuable. Spotrac has his market value at $4.5 million. That seems a bit light, but anything below an average annual value of about $8 million would feel like a win.

Detroit’s other three pending free agents (Myles Adams, Pat O’Connor and Kyle Peko) provided quality depth in 2024. If any of them are interested in returning to a group that already includes McNeill, Brodric Martin, DJ Reader (assuming he doesn’t get released, similar to Za’Darius Smith), Chris Smith and Mekhi Wingo, you’d have to think the Lions would entertain the idea of giving them an opportunity during training camp to compete for a roster spot.

If Onwuzurike leaves, or if the Lions want to further reinforce the interior of their defensive line, someone like Greg Gaines (Buccaneers) is a logical option. Gaines spent the last two years of his career working under Tampa Bay’s defensive line coach, Kacy Rodgers, who now holds the same position with the Lions. Free agents often choose new teams based on who they know, and there’s obvious history between Gaines and Rodgers.

Someone like Milton Williams (Eagles) is likely a pipe dream, but older veterans like Calais Campbell (Dolphins) may be attainable, if they’re looking to compete for a Super Bowl. Campbell, who will turn 39 years old at the beginning of next season and has the versatility to play inside or off the edge, had 52 total tackles, 39 pressures and 5.0 sacks in 2024. His run-defense grade settled at 85.9, which ranked fourth-best among all defensive linemen and edge defenders.