Former Lions CB Nevin Lawson signs with Oakland Raiders

Former Detroit Lions cornerback Nevin Lawson has signed with the Oakland Raiders, as first reported by ESPN’s Dianna Russini on Wednesday night.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport provided the details of the deal: one-year worth $3.05 million for the former Lions cornerback. There is no word on any guarantees or incentives of the contract.

Lawson was selected by the Lions in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft out of Utah State. He took over the role as the team’s full-time starting corner during the 2015 season and remained the team’s starter through the 2018 season.

He played 60 games for the Lions over the past four seasons, starting in 54 of them. Lawson defended 25 passes and returned a fumble for a touchdown in his four years as a starting corner. However, he infamously finished his Lions career without a single interception.

Lawson signed a two-year deal worth $9 million with the Lions in the 2018 offseason. He was a cap casualty at the beginning of the 2019 offseason, saving Detroit over $4.6 million in cap space.

While he played primarily as an outside corner in Detroit, it is likely that Lawson will move to his more natural position as a slot corner in Oakland.