According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Detroit Lions are signing defensive back Christian Izien to a one-year deal. More terms were not immediately available.
Izien went undrafted in 2023, but impressed in Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp, made the 53-man roster, and ended up playing in all 17 games his rookie season. Then, he mostly served as the team’s nickel corner, playing a total of 780 snaps, 657 at nickel (per PFF). He earned a solid 67.7 PFF overall grade, including an impressive 81.7
PFF run defense grade—17th among all defensive backs with at least 200 run defense snaps.
The following year, he played much more at safety, logging over 500 snaps there with only 205 at nickel. This past year, Izien took more of a reserve role, playing only 167 total defensive snaps split between safety and nickel. He took a backseat to third-round rookie Jacob Parrish—who became the team’s primary nickel corner. In all there seasons, Izien logged at least 115 special teams snaps, as well.
In total, Izien has 165 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, five passes defended, and three interceptions in three seasons.
In Detroit, Izien will help a shorthanded secondary. With Amik Robertson signing with the Washington Commanders, and Detroit dealing with injuries at safety, Izien is a young, hungry defensive back with a good amount of experience in just three years.
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