3 additional players the Detroit Lions should target in free agency

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Michael Whitaker
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NFL: Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings
Dec 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) rushes against the Indianapolis Colts before fumbling in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions have made a few splashes in free agency thus far, landing Michigan native T.J. Lang from their rivals the Green Bay Packers, as well as Rick Wagner from Baltimore amongst others.

GM Bob Quinn shouldn't be finished just yet, however. Here are three more players that should be on Detroit's radar before they're snatched up by other teams.

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1. ZACH BROWN (LB)

NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills
Dec 11, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills inside linebacker Zach Brown (53) jumps to make a catch in the end zone for an interception during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at New Era Field. Pittsburgh beat Buffalo 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Brown is coming off a Pro-Bowl season with the Buffalo Bills and earned himself a spot on the Associated Press' All-Pro second team. He finished the 2016 campaign with 149 tackles, four sacks, and an interception.

The Lions still need help in a big way at the linebacker position and Brown would fill in nicely. He's one of the top free-agents at the position and is likely to come at a cheaper price than others.

2. ADRIAN PETERSON (RB)

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Arizona Cardinals
Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Of course, the man known as “AD” isn't the player he once was. He's 31 and has been sidelined with injuries as of late. Peterson was limited to four games combined in 2014 and '16. But sandwiched in between those years, he played a full season and led the league in rushing, doing so for the third time in his brilliant 10-year career.

But Detroit's running game needs a big boost, and Peterson could provide just that. Before suffering another injury in 2016, Peterson amassed 1485 yards (4.5 YPC) in 2015. He's looking for a new home after the Vikings signed Latavius Murray to replace him, and after years of burning the Lions, he'd look good in Honolulu blue. IF…AND ONLY IF…Peterson would be willing to take a 1-year deal for a minimal amount of money, the Lions should snag him.

3. KEVIN MINTER (LB)

NFL: Preseason-Arizona Cardinals at Houston Texans
Aug 28, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Kevin Minter (51) during the first half of an NFL football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Minter took tremendous strides in his second season as a starter with Arizona and would certainly benefit the Lions as a three-down linebacker. He amassed 81 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks last season and has started all 32 games for the Cardinals in the past two years.

As stated earlier, the Lions MUST improve their linebacking corp and Minter could be just what the doctor ordered. If they cannot get either him or Zach Brown, they will turn to the NFL Draft to fill the need.