Lions Host Bills Special Teams Stud Defender for Visit: Report

The Detroit Lions are working on building out the back end of their roster, and they have been busy taking a look at defensive backs in recent days to help them do just that.

After signing a pair of cornerbacks in recent days in Corn Elder and Quinton Dunbar, the Lions are getting a look at a veteran safety to perhaps chip in and find a role on the defense as well as the special teams group.

The latest Lions news straight to your inbox! Join the Heavy on Lions newsletter here!

Join Heavy on Lions!

Detroit is hosting a visit with Buffalo Bills‘ free agent Dean Marlowe according to ESPN’s Field Yates. Marlowe isn’t the type of player who plays major minutes, but he’s a good dependable safety who can chip in from time to time on defense as well as play a role on special teams.

Revered by Buffalo fans for his special teams work and solid attitude, Marlowe would be the type of addition that could fortify the depth at safety ahead of the draft. The Lions have Tracy Walker and Will Harris at safety already, but could be looking for a bit of a veteran presence at the spot to help boost the young players. Marlowe could bring that to the team.

Brad Holmes said he was prepared to address needs in the secondary, and it’s clear he meant business with his recent moves. If the Lions add Marlowe, it will be another example of that playing out for the team.

Follow the Heavy on Lions Facebook page for the latest breaking news, rumors and content out of Detroit!

Marlowe’s Stats and Highlights

An undrafted free agent out of James Madison, Marlowe cracked the Carolina Panthers’ roster in 2015, and stayed there until he signed with the Bills in 2017. From 2017 to 2020, Marlowe played a key role for the Bills in terms of being a glue guy on special teams. He’s also produced a bit when given a shot. In his career, Marlowe has just 38 tackles and 2 interceptions to go with 1 fumble recovery, 1.5 sacks and 5 passes defended, but the majority of his production came late in 2020 when he was allowed a bigger chance to play on the defense. Perhaps if he signed in Detroit, he could see more defensive snaps and come into his own.

Marlowe can be an instinctive playmaker who can certainly get after it on the field and be in the right place at the right time as this clip reveals.

Giving him a bigger chance in a rebuilt Detroit secondary could be a very good idea.

Lions Still Have Major Defensive Needs This Offseason

The Lions have needs not only in the trenches and at linebacker but on the back end of their defense as well. Detroit could use a safety but could also look to add a cornerback to the mix as well to help out their young players in finding a footing. The team could also look to make more additions at linebacker and along the defensive line, although bringing back Romeo Okwara was a great start for Detroit as it relates to that up front. Getting Michael Brockers in the mix will help the Lions to fortify their line in a big way, too.

With young players like Jeff Okudah and Amani Oruwariye at cornerback, the depth has been a concern after some cuts recently, but adding both Quinton Dunbar and Corn Elder can help that. Getting some help at safety could be seen as a goal for the Lions, and Marlowe could be the choice to do it when all is said and done.

READ NEXT: NFL Pro Bowler Touts Lions Free Agency Signing