National Football League

Lions draft cornerback Dwight Bentley in 3rd round

Published Apr. 27, 2012 11:34 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Detroit Lions have selected Louisiana-Lafayette cornerback Dwight Bentley in the third round of the NFL draft.

Detroit drafted Bentley with the 85th overall pick Friday night.

The Lions entered the draft needing help at cornerback, the only position they don't have a starter returning from last season. Detroit lost cornerback Eric Wright in free agency when he signed with Tampa Bay and has every other key player back from the franchise's first playoff team since the 1999 season.

The 5-foot-11, 173-pound Bentley had three interceptions last season and seven in his career. He will get a shot to start this season opposite veteran cornerback Chris Houston.