The secondary of the Detroit Lions needs to improve in 2019. Is this sixth-year veteran apart of their plans or will the team decide to part ways with him?
For the fifth consecutive season, Detroit Lions‘ cornerback Nevin Lawson has failed to record a single interception. Has Lawson done enough to justify a roster spot? At the moment, there’s more incentive to cut ties with him.
Within a few days of the new league year, Lawson’s due a $1.25 million roster bonus. If he’s still on the roster beyond that day, he’s owed that money.
Moving on via trade or release saves $4.125 million with only $1.125 million resulting in a dead cap hit. Whether pre-June 1st or post-June 1st, the cap situation unfolds the same way.
Besides financial gain, there’s incentive for the Lions to move on based on Lawson’s lack of play-making ability. Only 1.0 sack and one forced fumble including zero interceptions in 63 games since 2014.
On the flip-side, if there’s one thing this cornerback can do, that’s limit wide receivers from gaining lots of yards. Just ask Pro Football Focus. From a 49 game streak of allowing 75 yards or less to allowing the seventh fewest yards per coverage snap among cornerbacks from the 2014 NFL Draft class, PFF gives him plenty of love.
It is continuing into next season! Currently at 49 games and counting. A PFF record for a CB that’s played at least 10 coverage snaps in every game
— PFF DET Lions (@PFF_Lions) February 20, 2019
Unfortunately, the referees weren’t so easy on Lawson. He lead the NFL in penalties among defensive backs with 11 and tied for fifth most overall.
It truly is sad for a guy to be that close around the football and yet never pick off a pass. Luckily, he is a strong tackler and fairly durable despite his size (5-foot-9, 192-pounds). Detroit is in a tough spot.
I doubt the physicality and scrappiness is enough for the Detroit Lions to continue the Nevin Lawson experiment any longer. He’s a cheap starter ($5.25 million cap hit) but an upgrade is needed. I wouldn’t be totally opposed if he stayed for depth but a mutual parting of ways seems like the most logical outcome for both parties.
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