Detroit Lions: 3 free agent defensive backs to consider signing

Rodney McLeod

Position: Safety

2019 team/Salary: Philadelphia Eagles / $1.5 million

2019 stats: 16 games played, 16 starts, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 74 total tackles, 1.0 sack

Age: 29

Height/Weight: 5-10 / 195

As with any coordinator joining a new team, particularly one in his first year on the job, one would expect new Lions’ defensive boss Cory Undlin to seek out some of his old players to help ease the transition to his new squad. This could be the case with McLeod – Undlin was McLeod’s position coach with the Philadelphia Eagles for the past four seasons.

McLeod made a strong comeback in 2019 after playing in just three games in 2018 due to a knee injury. This past season saw him miss just three defensive snaps, while he watched the majority of his fellow defensive backs in Philadelphia miss significant time with a variety of ailments.

McLeod is hardly one of the best safeties in the league and he doesn’t boast remarkable skills in any one area. But he also doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses, and his well-rounded game and familiarity with Undlin could be a nice boost for the Lions and a positive lift for both Walker and Harris as those two aim to take big steps forward in 2019.

Safety isn’t considered one of the premium positions in today’s NFL, but it’s an important part of Patricia’s defense, and in turn, will be a focus for Undlin as he looks to get off to a quick start in his new role. Adding a familiar face and a reliable performer such as McLeod to the defensive backfield would only be beneficial in that pursuit.

Which of these players do you think would be a good fit for the Lions? Which defensive backs do you think they should pursue this offseason? Let us know in the comments section below.