ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions tried to increase their depth at one spot, wide receiver, earlier this week. When that didn't work out, the Lions looked to another area of need Thursday.
The team signed veteran cornerback Drayton Florence, who started five games for Carolina last season, to add to the team's depth in the secondary.
Florence, who was drafted in the second round in 2003 by San Diego, has played in 157 regular-season games, making 104 starts between San Diego, Buffalo, Carolina, Jacksonville and Detroit during his 11-year career. He has 407 tackles and 20 interceptions in the regular season.
He also brings some much needed postseason experience to the Lions' secondary. He has three interceptions in six playoff games.
The 33-year-old was with the Lions in 2012, when he played in eight games and made 19 tackles.
"They called me up, liked what they saw and made the move," Florence said walking off the field after his first practice with Detroit.
Florence is expected to compete for depth at cornerback behind likely starters Darius Slay and Rashean Mathis. Having played mostly cornerback during his career, he'll be fighting with Cassius Vaughn, Jonte Green, Chris Greenwood and Bill Bentley for a roster spot.
This move was facilitated when the Lions released former first-round pick Jonathan Baldwin after the wide receiver failed a physical following a waiver claim.