We have the first marquee name in the Lions' general manager search: Rick Smith.
Smith, who served as GM of the Texans from 2006-17 and capped his tenure by drafting Deshaun Watson 12th overall, will interview with the Lions next week, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Smith took a leave from football after the 2017 season to care for his wife, who died last year of breast cancer. Because he's not currently employed by an NFL team, he's eligible to be hired immediately.
The Texans won four division titles during Smith's 12-year tenure. Along with Watson, he drafted the likes of J.J. Watt and DeAndre Hopkins and signed Arian Foster as an undrafted free agent. That quartet combined for 15 Pro Bowl seasons in Houston.
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Smith, who was hired by the Texans as the youngest GM in the NFL at the age of 36, also served as director of pro personnel for the Broncos from 2000-05. He won two Super Bowl with Denver as an assistant defensive backs coach in the late '90s.
The Falcons and Washington Football Team are also reportedly eyeing Smith for their GM vacancies.
The Lions had their first wave of GM interviews last week with three in-house candidates.