Detroit Lions top 5 offseason priorities
Sep 14, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback Rashean Mathis (31) before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
5. An Upgrade At Defensive Back
I’ll be the first to admit, prior to the 2014 NFL season, I was quite skeptical of the Detroit Lions defensive secondary. Much to the dismay of the general public and football critics everywhere, the Lions didn’t draft a defensive back in the first-round on the NFL Draft. Then, unexpectedly, starting cornerback Chris Houston was released prior to the season. That left second year DB, Darius Slay and 33-year-old Rashean Mathis as the best two corners on the roster.
Optimism was minimal, and many thought that the Lions season may get out of hand quickly in one of the best divisions in football. However, like everyone else, I was proven wrong.
Slay and Mathis wound up being a very formidable duo and part of the NFL’s No. 2 defense, but there is still working to do.
As previously mentioned, Mathis is aging and will turn 35 next season and will also enter the free agent pool on March 10. Justin Rogers of MLive had this to say of Mathis:
"On Monday, Mathis made it clear he wants to come back to Detroit. He loves the chemistry that’s been forged in the defensive back room, where he, Glover Quin and James Ihedigbo provide leadership, not just for the group, but the team. Mathis has also embraced mentoring Slay both on and off the field."
The Lions did end up drafting Nevin Lawson in the later-rounds of the 2014 NFL Draft, and Bill Bentley has played the nickel position recently, but both were injured early on last season. There is obviously the chance that Lawson could still develop given more time, but seeking an additional upgrade isn’t a bad idea either.
San Francisco 49ers cornerback, Chris Culliver will be a free agent this off-season and would prove to be a great addition to the Lions secondary. It will be interesting to see if Detroit makes the decision to add a DB in 2015.