ability to read and react quickly. His biggest flaws were said to be his inconsistent play and mediocre press technique and ball skills. Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions selected Lawson in the fourth round (133rd overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft. 2014 On May 18, 2014, the Detroit Lions signed Lawson to a four-year, $2.52 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $300,584. During the training camp in his rookie season, Lawson competed for the starting cornerback job against Bill Bentley, Rashean Mathis, Aaron Hester, Jonte Green, and Cassius Vaughn. Head coach Jim Caldwell named Lawson the Lions' fourth cornerback to begin his rookie season, behind Darius Slay, Rashean Mathis, and Bill Bentley. He made his professional regular season debut during the Detroit Lions' season-opening 35–14 victory over the New York Giants and finished with one solo tackle. He became the second cornerback on the Lions' depth chart after Bill Bentley tore his ACL and was placed on injured reserve. On September 14, 2014, Lawson dislocated multiple toes during a 7–24 loss to the Carolina Panthers. After receiving immediate surgery in North Carolina, he was placed on injured reserved, effectively ending his rookie season. 2015 Lawson entered training camp competing with Crezdon Butler, Chris Owens, and Quandre Diggs for the third cornerback position. He was named the starting nickelback to begin the regular season. On November 1, 2015, Lawson earned the first start of his career and had a season-high seven combined tackles and a pass deflection during a 10–45 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He started in place of Rashean Mathis who was unable to play after suffering from recurring symptoms from a concussion he received during a Week 7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He remained the starter for the remainder of the season after Mathis was diagnosed with a brain injury and placed on injured reserve three days later. In Week 10, he made a season-high seven solo tackles and defended a pass as the Lions defeated the Green Bay Packers 18–16. He finished the season with 47 combined tackles (42 solo) and seven pass deflections in eight starts and 15 games. 2016 Throughout training camp in , he competed with Quandre Diggs, Crezdon Butler, and Alex Carter for the starting cornerback job. Lawson was named the Lions' starting cornerback, along with Darius Slay, to start the season. He started the Detroit Lions' season-opener and