The Detroit Lions Have Re-signed Safety Tavon Wilson To A Two-year $7 Million Contract.

Adam Schefter reported, and the team confirmed through an email to the press, that safety Tavon Wilson has re-signed with the Detroit Lions. The team did not disclose terms, but Schefter says that the deal is a two-year contract with a total value of $7 million.

Wilson originally joined the Lions in 2016 as an unrestricted free agent from the New England Patriots. Wilson spent the previous four seasons with the Patriots. He entered the league as a second-round draft selection. He was among the earliest signings of general manager Bob Quinn‘s tenure.

Wilson has started 23 games for the Lions in two seasons. In that time he has three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and 122 tackles. Wilson is coming off a season in which he played in ten games before a season-ending shoulder surgery.

Why Re-Signing Tavon Wilson Makes Sense

In Wilson’s absence, the team started the combination of Quandre Diggs and Glover Quin at the safety position. After a single game at strong safety, Diggs permanently moved to a single high coverage deep safety position. Diggs thrived in the role, but his limitations revealed much about the Lions coverage scheme. Brandon Knapp went into depth on the subject HERE.

Matt Patricia values versatility in his defensive players. The more well rounded Wilson is likely a better fit for the role going forward. Both general manager and coach are well acquainted with the player from their time in New England together. The length of the contract also allows the team to move on next season with little consequence. They are paying him a normal amount of money for a journeyman level starter in the NFL.

If the Lions find that a safety falls unexpectedly to them in the draft, Wilson’s presence is not prohibitive to making the pick. There are rumors that defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick is not as well regarded by teams as he is but the draft media. He is a consensus top-five pick. Many teams view him as a player that will have to change position to a safety role, and that will hurt his draft stock with those teams. The Lions may get a gift in the draft next month.

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