The Detroit Lions wanted to solidify their special teams as part of their free-agency plan and they took care of it on the first day by signing safety Isa Abdul-Quddus to a one-year deal.

It turns out to be a good deal for Abdul-Quddus, who thrived on special teams for the Lions last season and also ended up as the team's third safety. He is expected to remain the team's third safety this year behind starters Glover Quin and James Ihedigbo.

Abdul-Quddus signed a one-year deal for $1.5 million -- $1.2 million in base salary and a $300,000 signing bonus. His cap and cash totals for 2015 are the same: $1.5 million. That's a major upgrade from last season, when Abdul-Quddus had a $695,000 cap hit after signing a one-year deal to avoid restricted free agency.

After being claimed by the Lions during the playoffs last season, Abdul-Quddus signed a one-year deal with Detroit. He turned into one of the Lions’ most important special-teams players -- he was 10th in fan voting for a special-teams player in the Pro Bowl -- as well as a situational safety on the Detroit defense.

He has played in 58 games with 81 tackles, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He is more valuable on special teams, with 26 special-teams tackles since being undrafted out of Fordham in 2011.