The Detroit Lions finished up one of its most successful seasons -- record-wise -- in franchise history. Now, the offseason begins with the combine, free agency and the NFL draft.
To start that process moving, we'll look at each position group over last week and this week analyzing what worked, what didn't and projecting what could happen between now and training camp, a little over six months away.
Previous analyses: Quarterbacks; Running backs; Wide receivers; Tight ends; Offensive tackles; Interior offensive linemen; Defensive line; Linebackers
2015 Free Agents: Rashean Mathis, Cassius Vaughn, Josh Thomas
The good: Detroit's cornerbacks were a big question entering the season after Darius Slay's inconsistent rookie season and Mathis' continued aging. The depth was a major concern, too, considering the Lions ended up cutting both Jonte Green and Chris Greenwood. Then, when games started, the corners fared well. Slay turned into a consistent corner with a potential future as a top-flight one after allowing only a 56.2 percent completion percentage and only three touchdowns according to Pro Football Focus. He actually ended up better than Mathis, who had a 61.1 percent completion rate against him and also allowed three touchdowns according to PFF. They also kept the big play from happening more often than not, which is huge compared to last season.
The bad: The nickel corner spot was a rotation due to injuries. Bill Bentley played one series before his season ended with an ACL injury. Nevin Lawson, his replacement, was injured in Week 2 and knocked out for the season. The Lions had some slot corner issues the rest of the way, shuffling through Vaughn and Danny Gorrer for part of the season. This was particularly an issue late in the season, when Green Bay and Dallas completed five of seven passes and two touchdowns, according to PFF. Mohammed Seisay was barely used, but he also struggled in the slot, allowing five of seven passes to be completed on him -- including 2 of 3 against Dallas -- according to PFF. Corner, despite the focus there over the past few years, is again going to be an offseason focal point.
The money (using 2015 cap numbers from ESPN Stats & Information): Slay has a cap number of $1.442 million -- including a $100,000 roster bonus and $50,000 workout bonus. Bentley enters the final season of his deal with a $817,278 cap number, including a $20,000 workout bonus. Lawson has a cap number of $585,146 and Seisay has one of $510,000.
Potential cuts: Slay and Lawson aren't going anywhere. Seisay, because of the low cap number, his potential and his special teams ability, will end up in camp. Bentley is a question mark, although the Lions will likely at least bring him along to camp to see if he is fully healthy since he will likely be slated as the team's starting slot corner entering camp.
Draft priority: Decent-to-good. Depending what Detroit does with Mathis, it could be a bigger priority but eventually the Lions are going to have to draft or sign a long-term solution opposite Slay. Depending on who is available early, a corner could be an early pick, too.