No doubt the Detroit Lions are depending on three young cornerbacks — Jonte Green, Bill Bentley and Chris Greenwood — to come through this season. All were drafted in 2012. General manager Martin Mayhew said during draft week that if a corner doesn’t “get it” in three years, he never will.

The Lions also drafted Nevin Lawson in the fourth round.

All fine and good.

Just don’t leave Cassius Vaughn out of the Lions’ cornerback discussion. Vaughn, 26, was signed as a free agent this spring.

He was a standout at the OTAs on Wednesday.

“At this point in time, he’s been here with us for a while,’’ coach Jim Caldwell said. “He’s a guy that loves to play and he loves to tell you about it once in a while as he’s playing. But nevertheless, he’s a guy that’s working extremely hard trying to win a spot on this team. He does bring some energy.”

Vaughn, who was with the Indianapolis Colts the last two seasons, played in all 16 games each year and had four starts in 2013 and 11 starts in 2012.

Last year he had three interceptions six pass defenses and a forced fumbles with 27 tackles.

Darius Slay and Chris Houston (if he's recovered from toe surgery) are expected to start with Rashean Mathis possibly the first corner off the bench.

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