ALLEN PARK -- Nevin Lawson dipped his toes into the free agent waters at cornerback. So did the Detroit Lions.

In the end, they decided they were best off with each other.

Lawson has agreed to return to Detroit on a new two-year deal that could be worth as much as $10.3 million including incentives.

Detroit originally acquired Lawson in the fourth round of the 2014 draft. He began his career in the nickel before eventually moving to outside cornerback, where he started all but one game the last two years. He allowed a QB rating of 104.8 last season, which was 97th in the league, and ProFootballFocus ranked him 112th at the position.

The Lions feel good about Darius Slay on the other side, but did try to upgrade Lawson's spot in free agency. They were among the teams most interested in Richard Sherman, and were reported to be kicking the tires on Malcolm Butler too.

In the end, Sherman signed a three-year deal worth $39 million with San Francisco. Butler signed a five-year deal worth $61 million with Tennessee. And the Lions opted to go with Lawson, who came at a fraction of the price.

That saves them some money, although it remains unclear what they'll do in the secondary. Lawson could reclaim his job on the outside, although he was being pushed by D.J. Hayden and then-rookie Teez Tabor down the stretch last year. And GM Bob Quinn has already said he expects more out of Tabor this year.

If the second-round pick does win the job opposite Slay, it's possible Lawson could slide back into the slot, his original position. Jamal Agnew is also expected to compete for that job.

Quandre Diggs began last season in the slot, but finished it at safety and played well there. It remains unclear which position he'll play in the long term, especially with strong safety Tavon Wilson back on a two-year deal.

The Lions have stocked up on versatile pieces in the secondary, and have given themselves some options with the starting lineup and subpackages.