The Detroit Lions picked up a Super Bowl-winning cornerback on Friday, furthering their effort to bolster their depth at the position this offseason.
Former Eagles CB Avonte Maddox joins D.J. Reed and Rock Ya-Sin as the latest additions to the Lions’s secondary, providing additional veteran experience and depth to a position that was significantly depleted for Detroit last year.
What does Avonte Maddox bring to Detroit?
Maddox, 28, is coming off of a Super Bowl-winning season in Philadelphia. Though used primarily in nickel situations throughout last season, he made a key play against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl that helped close the door on Patrick Mahomes, deflecting a 4th-down pass that gave the ball back to the Eagles in the third quarter.
The aforementioned PD of Patrick Mahomes in the last of Avonte Maddox’s 281 games (regular season and playoffs) in an #Eagles uniform. pic.twitter.com/kNJEIi170N
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 21, 2025
Maddox will likely play a similar role in Detroit, barring any injuries to starters Reed and Terrion Arnold, though he’ll be doing it for his hometown. He is a Detroit native and King High School alum.
Maddox primarily played corner in his seven seasons for the Eagles but also got some limited experience at safety. Versatility will be key on this defense, as a year marred by injuries like last year saw the team move a lot of pieces around game-by-game.
He’s started 41 of the 81 games he’s appeared in, totaling four career interceptions and eight forced fumbles.
Maddox is certain to get plenty of snaps, especially in nickel situations. Pro Football Focus ranked him around the middle of the pack for his position, giving him an overall grade of 56.3. PFF did grant Maddox an above-average grade of 71.9 for his pass rush abilities, which will be key if the Lions once again struggle to get pressure with a four-man rush in 2025.
Maddox’s addition, along with Reed, Ya-Sin, and the return of Khalil Dorsey, makes CB less of a need for the team headed into the draft, allowing them to focus on both offensive and defensive linemen. Maddox being one of many Lions signing one-year deals for the upcoming season also gives the Lions plenty of financial flexibility going forward.
