Corey Wootton is one team away from suiting up for every team in the NFC North.
The Detroit Lions signed the veteran defensive tackle on Thursday morning, marking the third team in the division he has played for. Wootton, who was drafted in the fourth round out of Northwestern in 2009 by Chicago, played four seasons for the Bears.
Then he spent last season with Minnesota and now is joining the Lions on a one-year deal.
Wootton has played in 60 games, making 86 tackles with 12 sacks and three forced fumbles. He played 275 snaps for Minnesota last season according to Pro Football Focus and graded out negatively against the run and the pass.
His signing was possible because the Lions released receiver Skye Dawson on Wednesday.
The Lions are essentially getting another rotational tackle in Wootton. He won't be a starter for Detroit; at 6-foot-6 and 270 pounds, he is going to be the team's tallest tackle. He's an interesting case for a potential roster spot because he is more of a proven commodity than Caraun Reid, although the team is unlikely to part with last year's fifth-round pick.
Wootton is probably competing with some of the defensive ends depending on how the team structures the defensive line spots. He could have a strong shot to make the roster if Detroit chooses to keep five defensive tackles. Haloti Ngata, Tyrunn Walker and Gabe Wright would seem to have spots on the team locked up. Reid is probably close unless he shows no improvement in camp.
That would leave Wootton competing with Xavier Proctor and Roy Philon for a potential roster spot at tackle and potentially Darryl Tapp and Phillip Hunt as overall defensive linemen.
