Lions free agent DE Cliff Avril spoke with SirusXM NFL Radio today and said he wants to remain a Lion. But he also said he wants to get paid.

"I just want to be paid as one of the guys that's helping the team grow," Avril said. "I want to be there. We have a young D-line. But I know it's a business, and you only hit free agency once or twice in your career, so you definitely have to take advantage of it."

Asked whether he would give the Lions a hometown discount, Avril didn't hedge.

"There's no such thing as a hometown discount in the NFL," he said. "Once you can't play anymore, they're going to let you go, so you definitely have to strike gold when you can.

"That said, if they and another team present the same thing, I'd definitely stay with the Lions."

Avril said some friends have told him they believe Avril would be a good fit in New England.

"I kind of think the Lions will try to do the right thing, I guess," he said. "A lot of teams don't think the Lions will let me hit free agency. But a few teams have called."

Mel Kiper Jr. projects the Lions selecting cornerback Janoris Jenkins out of North Alabama with their 23rd pick in the first round. Jenkins began his college career with Florida, but had off field problems that led to his dismissal from the Gators.

Mike Mayock of the NFL Network believes the Lions may select a left tackle in the first round. Mayock projects Jonathan Martin of Stanford or Mike Adams of Ohio State as being potential picks for Detroit.

Team president Tom Lewand said in a conference call with season-ticket holders today that the Lions were one of about 20 NFL teams that borrowed salary-cap money from future seasons in 2011.

Teams were allowed to use up to $3 million extra in cap space last year, and they can borrow another $1.5 million in extra cap room this season.

According to the collective bargaining agreement, the borrowed money will count against the team’s salary cap at some point during the 2014-17 seasons. The Lions can determine how they want to spread the cap hit during those seasons.

Read more here.