ALLEN PARK, Mich. – The Detroit Lions waited until the third day of the draft to select a cornerback. They didn’t make a splashy signing there in free agency, either.

And as training camp wore on and now as the team enters the regular season, one thing is becoming clear: If there is an area of need on the roster, it appears to be at that position, which is not surprising or unfamiliar to the Lions.

The team has been digging around everywhere to try and find some cornerback help, from signing veteran Drayton Florence during camp only to release him during the first wave of cuts. Then on Wednesday, the Lions reportedly brought in some cornerbacks for a workout.

That was followed by Thursday morning, when the team chose to see what All-Pro Champ Bailey, who became a free agent Saturday, had left in him.

Listen, this is what the Lions should be doing. They know -- and have proven in the past -- that they are willing to try and upgrade their roster by whatever means necessary, especially in the secondary. They did that last season when they brought in Rashean Mathis, who ended up as a starter for Detroit, during training camp.

That signing worked out for them. The team appears to at least be hunting for someone who could do that again.

Bailey would be an intriguing move for the Lions if they ended up deciding to sign him because of what he could bring to a cornerback group that is lacking experience other than Mathis. Much like Mathis the season before, Bailey could end up mentoring second-year pro Darius Slay as the team hopes to groom him to be their next good cornerback.

Bailey also could provide assistance to rookie Nevin Lawson and third-year pro Bill Bentley, who has been inconsistent throughout his career.

There’s also the fact that if Bailey can still play at even close to the level he was even two years ago in Denver, when he was an All-Pro, he’ll be an upgrade for a Lions secondary that still appears to be somewhat of a weakness.

Whether the team ends up signing Bailey or not, though, it does show there is at least some concern about the depth of the Lions' cornerbacks and that they are looking for some improvement in the area.