At 4 p.m. ET today, the 2012 NFL league year officially begins. What this means is that as of 4 p.m., free agency is underway and signings, trades and other moves can be made. For some teams, this will be the start of a busy offseason in which several free agents are signed. For teams with limited cap space like the Detroit Lions, on the other hand, the start of free agency is merely the first day that other teams can go after their free agents. The Lions aren't expected to be too active in signing free agents from other teams, as their focus remains on re-signing their own free agents.
Here's a look at which Lions players are set to become free agents today:
Unrestricted Free Agents
QB Shaun Hill, QB Drew Stanton, RB Kevin Smith, RB Maurice Morris, RB Jerome Harrison, WR Rashied Davis, WR Maurice Stovall, OT Jeff Backus, OG Leonard Davis, DT Andre Fluellen, LB Stephen Tulloch, LB Bobby Carpenter, LB Isaiah Ekejiuba, CB Eric Wright, CB Brandon McDonald, S Erik Coleman, S Chris Harris, P Ben Graham, LS Don Muhlbach
Restricted Free Agents
OT Corey Hilliard (tendered at original-round level), DT Sammie Hill (tendered at original-round level), LB DeAndre Levy (tendered at second-round level), LB Ashlee Palmer (not tendered)
Franchised Player
DE Cliff Avril (has not signed tender)