3 best moves the Detroit Lions have made this offseason

2. Signing Cameron Sutton in the first move to refurbish the secondary

Without diving into all the rough numbers from the last couple seasons (or longer), the Lions’ secondary needed to be remodeled this offseason. Credit to general manager Brad Holmes for recognizing that, however obvious it was, and following it with notable action.

On the first day of what’s affectionately called “legal tampering”, the Lions agreed to a deal with free agent cornerback Cameron Sutton. Over the last two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sutton became one of the better, and more underrated, cornerbacks in the league.

At 28 years old with six seasons in the league, Sutton became one of the oldest and most experienced players on the Lions’ roster. And a leader for a young secondary.

The Lions followed signing Sutton by agreeing to deal with his college teammate Emmanuel Moseley, who’s coming off a torn ACL last October. Then, on the final day of the first full week of free agency, the Lions got what looks like a steal by signing versatile defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Finally, the Lions got one of the steals of the draft, taking Alabama safety Brian Branch in the second round.

Holmes aggressively remodeled Detroit’s secondary this offseason. That aggression could be broadly called one of the best moves of this offseason for the Lions. But Sutton was the first domino in that effort, so signing him gets the nod.