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3 free agents who could help the Detroit Lions immediately

By Brad Berreman

Jun 13, 2022; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Malcom Brown (90) participates in minicamp at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2022; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Malcom Brown (90) participates in minicamp at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

2. CB Donte Deayon

Deayon spent the last three-plus seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, with by far the most action of his career (10 regular season games, one start, 461 defensive snaps) coming last season. He received solid grades from Pro Football Focus for the work he did (68.3 coverage grade, 68.0 overall), but he barely played in the playoffs (31 defensive snaps in the Wild Card Round, two special teams snaps in the NFC Championship Game).

Deayon is a small (5-foot-9) slot corner, and an underdog story as he bounced on and off the New York Giants’ roster and practice squad for a few years before he landed with the Rams.

The Lions secondary is still a work in progress, and the level of talent/depth at cornerback still feels like an issue despite Will Harris being in his rightful position and Mike Hughes added in free agency. Through two games, defending the deep ball has been a thing at times. Even when Amani Oruwariye is back, possibly this week after missing Week 2, corner is a potential need–if only for depth.

Deayon also has a tie to the Lions coaching staff. Defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant was the Rams’ cornerbacks coach from 2017-2020, overlapping with Deayon, with inherent familiarity there.

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