Detroit Lions Sign CB Chris Houston

Nov 22, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback Chris Houston (23) intercepts a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) in the overtime of the Thanksgiving day game at Ford Field. Houston Texans defeated the Detroit Lions 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions desperately needed some help in the secondary and they think they found their man in cornerback Chris Houston. Houston was the Lions top cover corner last season and often was given the task of guarding the opponent’s #1 receiver.

The deal is for five years and the amount of money it’s for wasn’t immediately known or made available.

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press tweeted:

"“Lions were thought to be offering Houston about $6M per before free agency started. Interesting to hear the final numbers w/market flood”"

He is a more natural #2 corner and could thrive in that role if the Lions could bring in a #1 option. With lots of corners still on the market they shouldn’t have a problem finding a shutdown corner. Aqib Talib, Sean Smith, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are all still available and could serve that role for the Lions.

Sean Smith is a good size and could compliment the smaller Chris Houston who is only 5’11” and 178 pounds. He’s averaged 46 tackles a year for the Detroit Lions, and in his time in Michigan he’s compiled 8 interceptions and scored 2 touchdowns.