Thursday open thread: Who is your most wanted free agent target for Lions?

While NFL fans are focused on the Senior Bowl—and by proxy, the NFL Draft—free agency is sneaking up on the NFL calendar. On March 9, a mere six weeks away, all unrestricted free agents will hit the market and money will be carelessly tossed around in the hopes some roster shuffling will fix the 31 teams that failed to win it all in 2016.

Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn will be entering his second free agency period with the team, and he has a lot of work to do. Last year, Quinn was unafraid of making big splashes in free agency. Almost immediately, Quinn went out and got who many considered to be the best wide receiver on the market. Will he do the same this year?

Here’s a list of the players set to hit free agency this year. So today’s Question of the Day is:

What one free agent would you like to see the Detroit Lions sign this year?

My answer: I’m fully on the Dont’a Hightower train. Hightower was one of the best linebackers in the league, and the Lions absolutely need an upgrade at the position, considering Tahir Whitehead’s play and DeAndre Levy’s injury concerns.

Hightower also seems like a very realistic option. He’ll likely draw a big contract, and it’s not uncommon for the Patriots to simply let a player go because they are asking for too much (see: Jamie Collins). Of course, Bob Quinn is very familiar with Hightower’s talent. He was the director of pro scouting in New England when the Patriots drafted him in 2012.

Right now, Spotrac is estimating Hightower to draw a contract around four years for $40 million. That’s a lot of money to pay in free agency, but the Lions absolutely need playmakers on defense. Hightower makes a lot of sense.

Your turn.