Detroit Lions add DeShawn Shead to their cornerback group
By Ash Thompson
The Detroit Lions have added corner back DeShawn Shea to their roster on a one year deal worth up to $6.5 million with incentives
Earlier today the Detroit Lions officially replaced Nevin Lawson in their lineup with, well, Nevin Lawson. Later in the day they replaced their other free agent corner, D.J. Hayden. Unlike Lawson, Hayden found a better offer for his services and went to Jacksonville for three seasons.
Bob Quinn said at the combine that the solutions to the Lions needs at corner back were already on the roster. Of course he responded by signing former Seattle Seahawks cornerback, DeShawn Shead.
Much like the Hayden signing in 2017, Shead has a one year contract. The value of the deal is $3.5 million with incentives that can boost the total value to $6.5 million. The incentives are largely tied to playing time. What that means for the Lions is this: they are deemed not likely to be earned.
Shead played in only two games, for a total of 45 special teams snaps in 2017 before landing on IR. Assuming that the Lions made all of those incentives require more than two games played, or related to defensive snaps, they exceed Shead’s performance in the previous league year.
What that means is that Shead’s salary cap hit for the 2018 season will be $3.5 million, plus any bonuses he earns for two games played. Any further bonuses added will hit the Lions 2019 salary cap.
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This move gives the Lions a great deal of depth at the corner back position. The Lions have Darius Slay as their number one. Competing for the number two role will be Lawson, Shead, and 2017 draft pick Teez Tabor. Additionally the Lions have Quandre Diggs, who is able to play either a safety or nickel corner role, and Jamal Agnew, last season’s all pro punt returner.