Cedric Saunders has become the team's Vice President of Football Operations, FOXSports.com has learned. This is a promotion from the director's title he held the previous two seasons with the Lions.

Among his expanded duties, Saunders is expected to play a larger role in evaluating personnel with new general manager Martin Mayhew. Saunders previously helped with Detroit's college and pro talent scouting and served as an area scout with Kansas City in 1999 and 2000.

Coming off the first 0-16 season in NFL history, the Lions are expected to further bolster their front office later this week with the hiring of former Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James "Shack" Harris as a personnel executive.