Kareem Jackson, Cary Williams Among Cornerbacks Who Could Make Sense For Lions
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - Cornerback Rashean Mathis, who started for the Detroit Lions last season, will hit free agency Tuesday. If he signs elsewhere, the Lions will need to find a another starter to pair with Darius Slay. Here are a few possible choices, starting with Mathis as an obvious option.
Rashean Mathis, Detroit Lions - Even at 34 years old, Mathis is expected to garner interest from several teams. His age will scare away some clubs, but he has changed minds before; Lions general manager Martin Mayhew acknowledged as much at the end of the season. Mayhew was skeptical, but after watching Mathis work out, his doubts disappeared. Not only did Mathis perform well on the field in 2014 - Pro Football Focus ranked him 12th among corners - he played a major role in helping bring along second-year player Darius Slay, who struggled in his rookie season. Mayhew said at the NFL combine that the Lions would love to have Mathis back.
Byron Maxwell, Seattle Seahawks - When Detroit snagged safety James Ihedigbo and wide receiver Golden Tate in free agency prior to the 2014 season, the organization touted the Super Bowl experience of both players. Obviously, they could do the same with Maxwell, who has played on the game's biggest stage the past two seasons as part of what is arguably the best defense in the league. His age, 27, is closer to that ideal range of experienced but not yet old. Maxwell played in 13 games last season and recorded 39 tackles, 12 passes defended and two interceptions.
Cary Williams, Philadelphia Eagles - Williams logged 60 tackles, 10 passes defended and two interceptions in 16 games for the Eagles in 2014. Detroit has a level of familiarity with him because his time with the Baltimore Ravens ( 2009 to 2012) overlapped with the time Lions head coach Jim Caldwell and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin spent with the Ravens. Austin was the secondary coach in Baltimore from 2011 to 2013, while Caldwell was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach there in 2012 and 2013. Since Williams is already 30, he might rank lower on Detroit's list of options, but as the team has seen with Mathis, age is not everything.
Kareem Jackson, Houston Texans - MMQB sees Jackson, 26, as an ideal fit for Detroit's scheme. A first-round pick in 2010, over his first five seasons Jackson has totaled 279 tackles, 50 passes defended and 10 interceptions. Last season he missed three games but still made 57 tackles, defended nine passes and snagged three interceptions.
Brandon Flowers, San Diego Chargers - Flowers, 29, has said he would like to remain with the Chargers, who signed him to a one-year deal after the Kansas City Chiefs released him before the 2014 season to save money. San Diego offered a similar sentiment, but both sides were noncommittal. Flowers made the Pro Bowl in 2013, and Pro Football Focus ranked him 15th among corners in the 2014 season. While he is older than the Lions might prefer, the team could be interested if someone it likes better decides to go elsewhere.
