The Detroit Lions added some special teams depth Saturday morning, signing veteran safety Taylor Mays.
Mays had been with Minnesota earlier this offseason, but the Vikings released him earlier this week. The 6-foot-3, 227-pound safety was drafted in the second round by San Francisco in 2010 and spent one season with the 49ers before being traded to Cincinnati.
He spent the past four seasons with the Bengals, primarily as a special teams player. He has played in 66 games with 72 career defensive tackles and one sack. He also has 26 special teams tackles in his career.
Mays, 27, is likely competing with Don Carey, Isa Abdul-Quddus, Isaiah Johnson, Brian Suite and Nate Ness for a backup safety role with a primary special teams focus. Detroit has its starters in Pro Bowler Glover Quin and Pro Bowl alternate James Ihedigbo.
Considering the amount of money the team invested in Abdul-Quddus this offseason and his likely role as the No. 3 safety, there could be only one roster spot for Mays to fight for.
However, if the Lions chose to keep five safeties this year, Mays would then have a chance at making the team.
