Former Lions CB Rashaan Melvin signing one-year deal with Jaguars

The Detroit Lions will enter the 2020 season without both of their starting outside cornerbacks from the previous season. Just a few days after the Lions traded away lockdown corner Darius Slay, Rashaan Melvin has come to an agreement with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The deal is for one year and $2.25 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Last year, the Lions signed Melvin to a one-year deal after the veteran corner struggled with the Raiders in 2018. Though Melvin improved upon his time in Oakland, he was still part of a struggling secondary in Detroit that allowed the sixth-highest passer rating in the NFL (99.6) and the fourth-most passing touchdowns (33).

Melvin started 12 games for the Lions in 2019, tallying 68 tackles and 11 passes defended.

To help replace Slay, the Lions signed former Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant to a two-year deal worth $20 million. For now, the Lions have 2019 fifth-round pick Amani Oruwariye as a potential starter opposite Trufant. The team, however, is still likely to add more help at the position, either by signing another free agent or using a draft pick—or potentially both.