Detroit Lions: 3 Bargain targets still available in 2019 NFL free agency

1. S Mike Mitchell (Indianapolis Colts)

The defensive backfield has seemingly always been an area of need for the Detroit Lions. That’s not to say the team hasn’t had its share of standout players in recent years in this department. Darius Slay is one of the top players in the league at his position. He’s Pro Football Focus’ (subscription required) 23rd-ranked cornerback and comes off a year in which he totaled 43 tackles, three interceptions and an impressive 17 passes defensed.

The club has addressed the secondary numerous times in the draft the past few years. Cornerback Jalen Tabor was a second-round pick in 2017 and young safeties Miles Killebrew (2016) and Quandre Diggs (2015) joined the club in recent seasons, the latter finishing second on the team in tackles this past year while tying Slay for the team lead with three picks.

This offseason, the franchise parted ways with quality free safety Glover Quin. But cornerbacks Rashaan Melvin and Justin Coleman and safety Andrew Adams were added via free agency. The goal is to improve a group that allowed 29 scores through the air in 2018. Meanwhile, only the San Francisco 49ers (2) totaled fewer interceptions than the Lions (7) this past year.

So could well-traveled veteran safety Mike Mitchell wind up in the Motor City? He joined the Indianapolis Colts in early October last season and finished with 28 tackles, one pick and a pair of forced fumbles. The 10-year pro could be a nice addition sometime over the next few weeks.