Detroit Lions’ training camp standout: DeShawn Shead
By Zack Moran
Through the early parts of training camp, DeShawn Shead has become a standout for the Detroit Lions.
From all indications coming out of OTAs and minicamp, Teez Tabor had a grasp on the No. 2 cornerback spot and was looking to make that sophomore leap. To everyone’s surprise, it was free agent acquisition DeShawn Shead who ended up getting the call to play opposite of Darius Slay early in training camp.
With Shead’s ability to play anywhere in the secondary, he offers plenty of value to a deep Lions secondary. Majority of people were thinking he will be playing multiple secondary positions instead locked down to one. Looks like the coaches like what they have seen from him and put him at corner.
He has been practicing against Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay one on one. From all accounts, he has been able to hold his own against two of the Lions’ top receivers with solid sticky coverage. Jones has gotten the best of him a couple of times, but I think that speaks more of Jones’ receiving abilities than Shead’s coverage. But he was always in a good position to make the play.
The Seattle Seahawks signed Shead as an undrafted free agent from Portland State. He eventually broke through the ranks and became part of the Legion of Boom playing opposite of Richard Sherman. Shead started 15 games in 2016, where he recorded 56 tackles, 14 pass breakups, and one interception. He suffered an ACL tear in the 2016 playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons; limiting him to two games last year.
The Lions decided to give Shead a shot by signing him to one year deal $3.5 million deal this past offseason after his release from the Seahawks.
Hampered by his injury, he has hardly seen the field in over a year. To see him playing not only on the first team defense, but at the No. 2 spot is very encouraging for a health standpoint. With his strong veteran presence, playmaking ability, and his experience; he is an asset to not only the defense, but to a young secondary corps.
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This is not Shead’s first rodeo playing opposite of a Pro Bowl cornerback. He knows what is going to be asked of him playing against the opponents No. 2 receiver. To beat out some of the younger players so far through training camp, shows us how much the coaches are valuing his experience as the No. 2 corner and what he brings to the table.
This will be something to keep your eyes on to see if he hold down this spot through the preseason. He has two young cornerbacks right behind him in Nevin Lawson and Teez Tabor waiting for their opportunity to take over. Right now it looks like Shead has a good grasp on the No. 2 cornerback spot and it’s his job to lose.
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Shead offers a lot in terms of versatility and experience. He has shown he can rise up to the challenge being an undrafted free agent and an injury knocking him down. Shead is ready to get back on the field and show everyone that there still a lot left in the tank. I named Shead as one of the players who have flown under the radar so far this season. Right now he is making a name for himself in the Lion’s secondary and from all accounts he is no longer a forgotten man.