Avonte Maddox: Breaking down what Detroit's new CB brings to the Lions
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.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Avonte Maddox: Breaking down what Detroit's new CB brings to the Lions
Topics
-
Detroit Lions' Avonte Maddox nearly went pro in MLB: 'Dream was ... the World Series'
Avonte Maddox said at the Super Bowl in February he always rooted for the Detroit Lions, even while playing with the Philadelphia Eagles.Yahoo Sports - 21h -
Avonte Maddox signs with Lions
Cornerback Avonte Maddox won a Super Bowl with the Eagles in February and he'll be trying to knock them off the throne in 2025.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Avonte Maddox departs Eagles to sign a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions
Former Eagles cornerback is heading home to Detroit to play for his hometown Lions after agreeing to a one-year dealYahoo Sports - 1d -
Lions poach a free agent cornerback from the Eagles
Lions poach a free agent cornerback from the Eagles, signing Detroit native Avonte MaddoxYahoo Sports - 1d -
Detroit Lions Podcast: Breaking down free agency moves and Detroit's rule change proposals
The latest episode of the Detroit Lions Podcast breaks down recent free agency moves, who's left on FA market, and the Lions' rule change proposalsYahoo Sports - 2d -
Breaking down Lions DL Pat O'Connor's injury history now that he's re-signed with Detroit
Breaking down Lions DL Pat O'Connor's medical and injury history now that he's re-signed in DetroitYahoo Sports - 2d -
New Lions CB D.J. Reed sees greatness in Terrion Arnold
New Lions CB D.J. Reed sees greatness coming in Terrion Arnold, Detroit's first-round corner from 2024Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
The Lions bring back a key special teams ace and reserve CB
The Lions bring back a key special teams ace and reserve CB, Khalil Dorsey, in free agencyYahoo Sports - 2d -
Lions free agency week 2 medical wrap-up along with full free agency recap
Breaking down the medical and injury histories of the Detroit Lions free agent signings from the second weekYahoo Sports - 16h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Steelers haven’t ruled out Russell Wilson reunion—despite Aaron Rodgers meeting
Insider Jeremy Fowler says Russell Wilson isn’t off the Steelers’ radar in 2025, even as the team pursues Aaron Rodgers.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Rui Hachimura on his recovery from his knee ailment
Rui Hachimura finally returned to the Lakers on Saturday after dealing with patellar tendinopathy for nearly a month, but he didn't play well.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Michigan Sportswatch Daily Listings
Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Pennsylvania Sportswatch Daily Listings
Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Updated offensive positional rankings for the 2025 NFL draft
We've updated our offensive positional rankings for the 2025 NFL draftYahoo Sports - 23m
More in Sports
-
Steelers haven’t ruled out Russell Wilson reunion—despite Aaron Rodgers meeting
Insider Jeremy Fowler says Russell Wilson isn’t off the Steelers’ radar in 2025, even as the team pursues Aaron Rodgers.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Rui Hachimura on his recovery from his knee ailment
Rui Hachimura finally returned to the Lakers on Saturday after dealing with patellar tendinopathy for nearly a month, but he didn't play well.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Michigan Sportswatch Daily Listings
Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Pennsylvania Sportswatch Daily Listings
Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Updated offensive positional rankings for the 2025 NFL draft
We've updated our offensive positional rankings for the 2025 NFL draftYahoo Sports - 23m