Playing The Free Agency Match Game

Dec 3, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions fans cheer on the defense during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions fans cheer on the defense during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 21, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) is pursued by Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) and cornerback Quandre Diggs (28) during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Lions defeated the Saints 35-27. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) is pursued by Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) and cornerback Quandre Diggs (28) during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Lions defeated the Saints 35-27. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Cornerback

Darius Slay, Nevin Lawson, Quandary Diggs and Alex Carter are all under contract and Slay is the oldest among them at 25. Is cornerback a top need? No. Do the Lions want to add some veteran experience to help the younger guys along? Yes. Would they prefer to add someone who can start opposite Slay? Probably.

What’s clear is that there are plenty of options that fit the mold, if the Lions choose to do it. What’s less clear is just how available those options will be. Sean Smith has been a great corner for a few years now, but do the Chiefs let him get away? Younger guys like Casey Hayward, Trumaine Johnson and Janoris Jenkins would be more permanent moves, but do their teams let them walk too? Leon Hall, William Gay and Cortland Finnegan can offer plenty of experience, but what do they have left in the tank?

I think the Lions will add one corner in free agency. I think most would agree with that. Good luck finding two fans who agree on which one.

Next: Safety

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