Inside the Article:
The Detroit Lions will be looking to improve their secondary before the 2023 season begins, and you can bet they will add a couple of cornerbacks between free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft. Pro Football Focus recently published an article where they look at one defensive player that each NFL team should consider in free agency. For Detroit, cornerback Cameron Sutton is suggested as a good fit.
Why it Matters
Detroit’s secondary was not a pretty site in 2022, and in order for the team to truly contend as soon as 2023, they are going to have to solidify that unit as soon as possible. According to the advanced DVOA stats from Football Outsiders, the Lions had the No. 23 pass defense in the league in 2022, and that is not good enough.
Why the Detroit Lions signing FA CB Cameron Sutton makes sense
According to Brad Spielberger of PFF, the Lions should pursue Sutton when the free agency period begins.
Sutton earned a career-best 72.2 grade as a full-time starter in 2022, allowing just 0.76 yards per coverage snap, good for 11th among cornerbacks with at least 200 coverage snaps on the season. He offers inside/outside versatility as well, though he’s been a starter on the outside the last two seasons.
Sutton By the Numbers
Sutton was originally selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 3rd Round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Since then he has played in 84 career games (39 starts).
- 168 career tackles
- 38 passes defended
- 8 interceptions
- In 2021-22, Sutton started 31 of 32 games he played in, racking up 79 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 21 passes defended.
