The Lions have addressed one of their most glaring needs on the first day of free agency -- and they've opened the checkbook to do it.
Detroit has agreed to a three-year, $33 million deal with cornerback Cameron Sutton, per the NFL Network. Sutton, who comes to the Lions after six seasons with the Steelers, gets $22.5 million guaranteed.
It marks the first time under GM Brad Holmes that the Lions have signed a free agent for more than two years (and for more than $6 million), a sign that the club is ready to assert itself after winning eight of its final 10 games last season. A sign that the rebuild is over.
It's a crucial addition for Aaron Glenn's defense, which allowed the most yards in the NFL last season. That included the second most yards per pass and the most yards per completion, the reflection of a secondary lacking playmakers -- particularly on the outside.
Sutton, meanwhile, tallied 15 passes defended, tied for sixth most in the NFL, and three picks, both career highs. He held quarterbacks to a 65.3 passer rating in coverage, per Pro Football Reference. Detroit allowed a rating of 94.2 as a team -- and that was its best mark in five years.
Sutton, 28, immediately becomes the top cover man for the Lions, whose best returning corner is arguably Jerry Jacobs, a former undrafted free agent.
Amani Oruwariye, who entered last season as Detroit's No. 1 corner, was benched by the end of the year and is likely to depart as a free agent, while former No. 3 pick Jeff Okudah, who at one point replaced Oruwariye as the top corner, wound up on the bench himself.
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