UPDATED WITH SHEAD SIGNING
The Lions secondary is starting to take shape.
Of course, free agency is just getting started and the draft is six weeks away.
The team announced late Wednesday they have signed defensive back DeShawn Shead. It’s believed to be a one-year, $3.5 million deal along with incentives.
Versatility is a plus for the 28-year-old defensive back who played safety and cornerback in Seattle where he’s spent six seasons. He’s coming off a torn ACL and only played two games in 2017. He was a starter in 2016.
Also, the Lions re-signed Nevin Lawson Wednesday. The cornerback is entering his fifth season in Detroit after he was drafted in the fourth round in 2014.
He started 15 games in 2017 and finished with 43 total tackles (37 solo), four pass defenses, one forced fumble and his first-career fumble recovery, which he returned for a 44-yard touchdown against Cleveland.
Other cornerbacks currently on the roster include Darius Slay, Teez Tabor and Jamal Agnew.
Safeties include Glover Quin, Tavon Wilson (who was re-signed on Tuesday) and Miles Killebrew.
Quandre Diggs, who started 2017 at nickel and finished playing safety, will also return. It’s too early to know what position he will play under new defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni.
Tabor, a second-round pick a year ago, and Agnew, who was taken in the fifth round, will be taking the step from rookie to second-year player. Generally that’s where much improvement is seen.
The Lions passing defense was ranked sixth in the NFL in 2017, allowing an average of 243.2 passing yards per game.
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