Dec 29, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) catches a touchdown pass against Detroit Lions cornerback Chris Greenwood (33) in the fourth quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings win 14-13. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Hester
Just two weeks after signing Cassius Vaughn to a deal, the Lions added former Denver Bronco Aaron Hester.
Hester was picked up by the Broncos as an undrafted free agent last year, and was released last August. He never made it to Denver’s 53-man roster, but has a big opportunity at doing so for the Lions.
Hester hasn’t been mentioned a whole lot by coaches in the media, but he was running with the second-team defense during organized team activities.
At this point, there is a real chance for any of these young corners to make a case for making the final roster with the position being as thin as it currently is.
Chances of making final roster: 40% (depth purposes)
With the First Pick
Jonte Green
Jonte Green has had an interesting path since being drafted by the Detroit Lions. For his rookie campaign, he started nearly half of his games, and did a solid job in coverage. It was thought that maybe he could continue to improve and possibly become a starter the following season.
Instead, Green saw his snap count cut in half, and was rarely called upon by Lions coaches.
Green will really need to improve on his tackling and play a little more physical if he wants to beat out guys like Hester, Vaughn and Bentley.
Chances of making final roster: 25% (on the bubble)
Chris Greenwood
Chris Greenwood is just one of those players that you have to feel bad for at this point. When circumstances seem to be moving in his favor, they immediately hit the ground after another injury.
Things couldn’t have been looking any better for Greenwood going into minicamps and OTAs as healthy as he’s ever been, not to mention the blank slate he’d have working with a new set of coaches. Of course bad luck had to strike again, after the cornerback out of Albion college had to go through another hernia surgery, missing most of the offseason drills.
Greenwood’s time is quickly running out, and the odds are rapidly moving ever out of his favor. He will need to stay healthy and provide an incredible showing during training camp if he wants to sway coaches opinions on him. But right now, it’s starting to look like he may need to find an opportunity elsewhere.
Chances of making final roster: 15% (has a lot of work to do)
Mohammed Seisey
Seisey is a long-shot to make the final roster at this point, but would be a perfect addition to the Lions’ practice squad. He played opposite of fellow rookie Stanley Jean-Baptiste at the University of Nebraska, and fits the bigger frame (six-foot-one) that the Lions are profiling at the cornerback position.
Chances of making final roster: 0% (practice squad)
Did They Improve?
This one is tough, but I’d have to say no.
As bad as Chris Houston was last year, he was still our most talented corner, and proved to be a good player when healthy. It’s sad to see him go the way he did, but it’s a business nevertheless.
Best-case scenario going into this offseason would have been if the Lions could have landed one of the top coveted cornerbacks in free agency, but with the cap situation the way it was, there was hardly any chance of landing one of the premier players at CB.
Drafting a CB in the first round wouldn’t have helped much either if you’re trying to win now, because even the top three prospects like Justin Gilbert, Kyle Fuller and Darqueze Dennard probably wouldn’t have won a starting job outright in training camp.
Regardless, this is the situation the Lions are in and Teryl Austin will need to make the best of what he has or we’ll be in for another long season.
Training Camp Preview Series: Quarterback, Running Back, Fullback, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Offensive Tackle, Guard, Center, Defensive End, Defensive Tackle, Linebacker