The Detroit Lions surprised some when they left April's NFL draft without addressing the cornerback position.
They missed on the draft's top cornerback, Illinois' Devon Witherspoon, with the sixth pick; he went to the Seattle Seahawks at No. 5. They passed on Oregon's Christian Gonzalez, the draft's No. 2 corner, for running back Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12. And while they took Alabama safety/nickel corner Brian Branch in Round 2, they didn't add another defensive back until undrafted free agency.
Well, two of the UDFAs the Lions signed in May have played prominent roles with the second-team defense this summer, and a week into training camp, both are making convincing cases to be on the 53-man roster this fall.