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So much for your mock draft featuring the Lions taking a cornerback at No. 10 overall like everyone else's. Well, they still might but there's less of a chance with Detroit bringing Rashean Mathis back into the fold.
Mathis' agent confirmed the news on Monday morning.
No one's going to confuse the 33-year-old cornerback with an All-Pro player at this stage, and it's quite possible the Lions could still draft a cornerback at 10.
But Mathis played well in 2013, defending 16 passes in 13 starts.
He played particularly well down the stretch (even if the Lions didn't ...) according to Pro Football Focus, giving up just five catches for 66 yards during Weeks 14-17.
With Mathis back in the fold, Detroit now has the makings of a decent motley secondary. Chris Houston and Darius Slay join him at cornerback, while James Ihedigbo and Glover Quin are penciled in at safety.
For several years now the Lions have generated pressure via their defensive line, starting with Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley in the middle. That won't change, though a step forward from Ziggy Ansah would go a long way towards helping the Lions in 2013.
The trickle-down effect of having a good defensive line could be key for them again in 2014, although Mathis addition should help them on the back end again this year if he plays like he did in 2013.
