INDIANAPOLIS — While the NFL Combine is the reason Martin Mayhew, the Lions general manager, is in town. It also gives him an opportunity to meet with agents of some of the Lions who could hit the open market on March 5.

Mayhew said this morning (Friday) that he had talked to tight end Will Heller’s agent on Thursday night.

“We had a good talk last night on will. We’ll talk more before I leave here. I’m cautiously optimistic about having him back,’’ Mayhew said.

He was planning on meeting with the agent for offensive tackle Jon Jansen today. Jansen signed a one-year deal to play last season for the Lions. He brought a veteran presence and stepped in when needed on the line.

Mayhew said he will also be talking to agents for safety Marquand Manuel and cornerback Will James.

“I thought (James) was a great veteran presence in the locker room, I thought he was a hard worker, worked very hard, I thought he had some production, made some plays on the ball, he’s getting a little older,’’ Mayhew said of the 30-year-old James.

“... He’s a guy we’d like to have back at the right price, we’ll have him compete and see how it all ends up,’’ Mayhew said.

He has not spoken to the agent of tight end Casey FitzSimmons, but plans to do so. FitzSimmons missed the final four games with a concussion. “That is a concern,’’ Mayhew said.