Alex Muller
The Lions found themselves on a spending spree on Thursday, the first official day of NFL free agency. The team re-signed some of their own while welcoming in some new faces for 2017, all of which you can see here.
The team struck another deal early on Friday, coming to terms with free agent cornerback D.J. Hayden on a one-year deal.
#Lions agreed to terms on a 1-year deal up to $5.25 million with CB DJ Hayden, source said.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 10, 2017
Hayden, 26, has spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Raiders since being drafted 13th overall by Oakland in the 2013 NFL Draft (he was the first cornerback selected). Last year in 11 games, he totaled 32 tackles, six passes broken up and one forced fumble.
Over his four seasons with the Raiders (45 games), the former University of Houston DB Hayden has compiled over 161 tackles, 26 passes deflected and three interceptions.
Hayden will join a secondary corps that is already filled with incumbent corners Darius Slay and Nevin Lawson. But sporadic injuries last season to Detroit defensive backs helped register the highest quarterback completion percentage allowed in NFL history.
Hayden has always been heralded for his athleticism coming out of college, so perhaps Lions general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Jim Caldwell view him as a versatile option in the secondary.
