The Lions proved that defensive end Cliff Avril will play a role in their future plans by tendering him at the first- and third-round levels. Avril confirmed the action through his Twitter account.

Lions general manager Martin Mayhew has said he planned to tender a number of potential free agents.

Avril, 24, is a restricted free agent. After the NFLPA collective bargaining agreement is resolved, he could sign an offer sheet with any team. If the Lions didn’t match the offer, they would receive that team's first- and third-round draft picks.

Avril tweeted, “Looks like I'll be in the D one more year atlease.... Yall kno I love the D.’’ (@CliffAvril)

Avril, who played at Purdue, played and started in 13 games last season, finishing with 8.5 sacks and 33 tackles. He has 19 sacks in his three NFL seasons.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)