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Unrestricted free agent cornerback Jamar Fletcher, a former first-round draft choice who played for the San Diego Chargers the past two years, has signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions.

Financial details were not yet available.

Jamar Fletcher

Cornerback Detroit Lions Profile

2005 SEASON STATISTICS Tot Ast Solo FF Sack Int 28 20 8 0 1 1

The acquisition of Fletcher further bolsters the Detroit secondary. With his experience and background, Fletcher could compete for the nickel cornerback job -- the position he's manned most of his career in the NFL.

Fletcher, 26, is a five-year veteran who was chosen by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 2001 draft. He played three seasons in Miami before being traded to San Diego in 2004. Although undersized by current cornerback standards, Fletcher is a solid coverage defender and can be deceptively physical at times.

The former Wisconsin standout appeared in 14 games in 2005, all as a situational player and on special teams, and recorded 28 tackles and an interception. In five seasons, he has appeared in 71 games, with six starts, and has 121 tackles, four interceptions, 17 passes defensed and one sack.

Detroit does not have a proven No. 3 cornerback behind starters Fernando Bryant and Dre Bly, so Fletcher is a good fit for new coach Rod Marinelli's team. His overall value is further enhanced by his special teams prowess. The Lions did not address the corner position in the draft until choosing Dee McCann of West Virginia in the sixth round.

The Lions also on Monday re-signed "exclusive rights" tailback Artose Pinner and released veteran linebacker Nate Wayne, who had been added to the roster only two week weeks ago.

A fourth-round pick of the Lions in 2003, injuries have slowed Pinner's progress. He did, however, appear in all 16 games in 2005 and rushed for 349 yards. But with the Lions retaining veteran Shawn Bryson just before the start of free agency, Pinner probably still rated only No. 3 on the tailback depth chart.

Wayne is a seven-year veteran with 85 regular-season appearances. Apparently after seeing him in mini-camp, however, the Lions decided he did not fit their plans for 2006.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com