Detroit Lions: Ranking the team’s top 2018 offseason additions

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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 23: Cornerback DeShawn Shead #35 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after a play made against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 23, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

3. Deshawn Shead, CB (from Seattle Seahawks)

This offseason, the Seattle Seahawks have done their share of housecleaning. One spot in particular was cornerback as Richard Sherman, Jeremy Lane and Deshawn Shead were all cut loose. For the latter, the talented defender’s release from the ‘Hawks is apparently the Detroit Lions’ gain.

“The reason we had to do that was because he had been captured kind of in the rules setting where he missed his free agency the year before and then we wanted him to have the opportunity,” explained Carroll to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press back in March. “He deserved the opportunity to be a free agent and he would have missed it again because he only performed in two games last year. So we did it so that he would have the chance to be a free agent.”

All told, the ‘Hawks head coach appears very happy for Shead, who started a career-best 15 games in 2016 and totaled 80 tackles, one interception and a team-best 14 passes defensed. “He’s awesome,” added Carroll. “He’s a great kid, great leader, great teams’ guy and all that. He’s fantastic.”

All told, cornerback has been a spot of great concern for the Lions in recent years. In 2017, only five teams in the league allowed more passing yards than the club. If Detroit can generate a better pass rush, Shead and the rest of the team’s defensive backs will benefit in a big way.

Next: No. 2

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