Detroit Lions: 3 free agent defensive backs to consider signing
As NFL free agency approaches, here are three defensive backs that the Detroit Lions could acquire in order to bolster their back end.
Dead last in passing yardage allowed. Tied for last in interceptions. Seventh from the bottom in points surrendered. The Detroit Lions’ defense was bad in 2019, with much of the blame falling on an underachieving secondary.
The Lions have invested some serious capital in their defensive backfield over the past several seasons, and that resource dedication has yet to pay off. What’s the deal?
They have a perennially lauded No. 1 cornerback in veteran Darius Slay, but his play was inconsistent last year, with several matchups against premier receivers going in favor of the offense. Add to that the fact that he is entering a contract year at age 29 and has yet to come to an agreement on an extension with the Lions, and his future in Detroit is certainly in question.
They signed nickel corner Justin Coleman to a rich free-agent deal last March, and at times his ability to punch balls loose and cover in tight spaces made it look like a shrewd move. However, he too was burned by opposing wideouts on multiple occasions, often when he was asked to do too much as the injuries mounted on defense.
Veteran corner Rashaan Melvin was brought in as a steadying presence, but he struggled to cover shiftier receivers and was unable to register a single takeaway. He will be a free agent and likely won’t be back.
They do have an intriguing young player in corner Amani Oruwariye, who curiously slipped to the fifth round in last April’s draft. He played well when given more opportunities later in the season and should see an increased role in 2020. Still, anointing him as the savior of the Lions’ back end would seem like an unreasonable outlook at this point.
At safety, the Lions project to start one of the youngest tandems in the NFL next season, with Tracy Walker and Will Harris having just completed their second and rookie seasons, respectively. Walker is quickly emerging as one of the team’s leaders on defense, and Harris has some legitimate potential, but the depth behind them is a concern.
It’s a given that the Lions will look to add some talent to their secondary this offseason, both in free agency and in the draft. They will face some potent passing attacks in 2020 and will need as many reliable and capable players as possible to help stabilize the back end and to help realize head coach Matt Patricia’s defensive vision.
With free agency just over a month away, we take a look at three defensive backs who could help the Lions avoid a repeat performance of last season while offering a diverse set of abilities…