The Detroit Lions only made one splashy signing this offseason, bringing in cornerback D.J. Reed as a replacement for Carlton Davis. But their most impactful move at cornerback might have come under the radar.

During the second wave of free agency, the Lions picked up veteran corner Avonte Maddox. Since Maddox hails from Detroit, persuading him to join the team may not have been hard, but landing him was still a big win for the organization.

At the time, few expected Maddox to make such a big difference, but the former Super Bowl champion has made an early impact. ESPN’s Eric Woodyard recently named him the most surprising player of the offseason for the Lions.

“Detroit brought in Maddox, a veteran free agent, to bolster the secondary, and coach Dan Campbell already believes he’s ‘a great fit’ based on offseason workouts. So far, the Detroit native has impressed the coaching staff with his experience and winning mentality, having spent seven years in Philadelphia, including a Super Bowl run.”

“Maddox was also key in the Eagles’ championship, breaking up a fourth-down pass from Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LIX and playing in every playoff game that season.”

That playoff pedigree is valuable for a Lions squad hoping to reach the next level. Maddox brings not just heart for his hometown team, but experience and leadership that could lift the locker room.

The Lions are currently enjoying a break before training camp kicks off later in July, but during OTAs, Campbell made a point to highlight a few names that stood out to him.

Maddox was one of those players. When asked about who impressed most, Campbell praised both Maddox and Reed as excellent additions to the defensive backfield.

“I’ll say this, adding (D.J.) Reed and (Avonte) Maddox has been a big win. They’re going to mesh with us really well. I could name others, but those two definitely come to mind when I think about impact guys,” Campbell shared.

Maddox has quietly built a solid resume in the NFL, racking up four picks, eight forced fumbles, and 270 tackles. In the playoffs, he’s added 11 tackles and five pass deflections, proving he shines under pressure.

Many have questioned whether Detroit’s defense will be strong enough in 2025. But if players like Maddox—initially considered depth—are already turning heads, it bodes well for the season ahead.