The Detroit Lions are reportedly bringing in a former first-round NFL draft pick to play in the secondary. After not adding any players on defense in free agency, the Lions are signing cornerback Mike Hughes to a one-year, $3.5 million contract. Back in 2018, Hughes was the 30th pick of the Minnesota Vikings in the first-round. The 25-year-old defensive back was traded from the Vikings to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a sixth-round pick following the conclusion of the 2020 season. Last season, Hughes recorded 47 tackles, four forced fumbles and six passes defensed in 17 games for the AFC powerhouse. He also secured one interception and a fumble recovery that was returned 23 yards for a touchdown.General manager Brad Holmes is likely viewing their newest member of the defense similarly to EDGE Charles Harris. Scroll to ContinueRecommended Lions ArticlesHughes performed pretty well last season and will now have an opportunity to blossom working with defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant. With both Jeff Okudah and Jerry Jacobs coming off injury, Hughes will have ample opportunity to compete for playing time alongside Amani Oruwariye, who had a breakout season in 2021. © Denny Medley-USA TODAY SportsJoin the AllLions CommunityBecome a premium AllLions member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and gets you a FREE subscription to Sports Illustrated! Click on the link below for more.BECOME A MEMBER .
Detroit Lions NFL free agency news Marcus Williams
The Detroit Lions could not come to terms with one of the top-ranked safeties in this year’s free-agent class. Former New Orleans Saints safety Marcus Williams, 25, has agreed in principle to a long-term contract with the Baltimore Ravens. Many presumed the talented safety would be coveted by Detroit, due to his ties with members of the Lions’ coaching staff, including defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Williams recorded 15 interceptions in his five years playing in the Saints’ defense. The Lions’ defensive scheme requires a lot from the safety position. Adding a player who was considered the best safety available could have complemented Tracy Walker, whose play has steadily improved over the past couple of seasons. © Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
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© Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY SportsAccording to Sports Illustrated, “Perhaps the most enticing prospect in free agency not named Davante Adams, Williams checks all the boxes as a franchise building block. He’ll enter next year in his age-26 season, coming off his best year against the pass (an opposing quarterback completion percentage under 50%) and one of his best seasons as a tackler. Williams has perfected the art of center fielder in Dennis Allen’s offense but also adds a certain thickness as a front-seven defender if he has to crawl into the box.”Recommended Lions ArticlesSince being selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft (No. 42 overall) out of the University of Utah, the veteran defensive back has played in 76 career games. In five seasons in the NFL, he has also recorded three forced fumbles, one tackle for loss, 38 passes defensed and 239 solo tackles. Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone, who was drafted in the same draft class by the Saints, described Williams as a “freak athlete,” when he addressed reporters after signing his new contract. “He’s a hard worker. Super talented. Super athletic. He’s young, but he’s wise and experienced. He’s started since day one in New Orleans,” Anzalone said. “Honestly, he’s a freak athlete and a great guy. He does all the right things and one of the guys that you definitely want in your locker room.”Join the AllLions CommunityBecome a premium AllLions member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and gets you a FREE subscription to Sports Illustrated! Click on the link below for more.BECOME A MEMBER .
Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker NFL contract update
Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams sent several internet sleuths into a frenzy last week. The veteran running back tagged his teammate — safety Tracy Walker — in an Instagram post last week. Williams posted “Can’t wait to go back to war with my dawg T-WalkuhhSan,” which many Detroit Lions fans understood to mean that the 27-year-old had signed a new contract to remain with the Lions. According to the Detroit Free Press, “No deal is imminent with Walker and the Lions, though one certainly could be finalized next week. Walker had a nice season in 2021, and there is mutual interest in a return to Detroit — especially with safeties Jessie Bates and Marcus Williams among the franchise tag candidates.”In recent rankings of available free agents, Walker has regularly been listed outside of the top-100 players available to be signed by NFL teams.“Both him and I believe, for as good as his year was, there is vast room for improvement,” defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant told reporters at the Senior Bowl. “And I think collectively, if we get a chance to maybe work together again in the future, maybe you guys can see the same progression that maybe you’ve seen over the past year.”Recommended Lions ArticlesNFL teams can use the franchise tag on players up until March 8. The expected cost, should the Lions decide to place the franchise tag on Walker, would be approximately $13 million for the safety position. Join the AllLions CommunityBecome a premium AllLions member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and gets you a FREE subscription to Sports Illustrated! Click on the link below for more.BECOME A MEMBER .