Detroit Lions potential free agency target: Cornerback Ronald Darby

The Detroit Lions could be in the market to add a cornerback or two this offseason. A former second-rounder seems to make the most sense.

At this time last offseason, there were questions about who would start opposite of Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay in the Detroit Lions‘ secondary in 2019. Entering this offseason, the bigger question is if Slay will be in the Motor City’s secondary at all.

Slay is entering the final year of a four-year, $48 million contract extension he inked back in July of 2016. Three Pro Bowl nominations later and it’s clear that the 29-year old is looking for a new deal. Last offseason, Slay skipped OTAs and minicamp in what was perceived as an effort to obtain a new extension in Detroit despite having two years remaining on his contract.

But that extension never came and Slay reported to training camp and eventually played out the entire season without getting one. Entering this offseason, there’s been speculation that the Lions could move on from the talented corner who is scheduled to make $13.3 million against their salary cap this season per Spotrac.com.

Beyond Slay on the roster at cornerback is Rashaan Melvin, who started 12 games in 2019, and Justin Coleman who started in 11. Rookie Amani Oruwariye came on strong at the end of last season as he and Mike Ford started in two games each.

Both Melvin and Ford are unrestricted free agents this offseason, along with corner Dee Virgin. And in order to restock the position, some analysts predict the Lions using their first-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, third overall, on Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah.

But if Detroit opts to try and address their needs at the position in free agency, their new defensive coordinator could have a connection to draw from. Earlier this month, the Lions hired former Philadelphia Eagles defensive backs coach Cory Undlin as the team’s new defensive coordinator. And during Undlin’s five-year stint with the Eagles, he’s had cornerback Ronald Darby as a starter for the past three seasons.

Drafted in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Florida State, Darby spent his first two seasons as a professional with the Buffalo Bills. During his rookie season, Darby was nominated to the PFWA’s All-Rookie Team after posting 68 total tackles, a whopping 21 pass defends, and two interceptions.

Following a head coaching change in 2017, the Bills traded the young defender to Philly and into the waiting arms of Undlin. Later that year, the Eagles would win their first Super Bowl title.

Despite earning that championship ring, Darby’s time in Philadelphia has been plagued by injuries. In the past three years, the 26-year old has yet to play in more than 11 games in a single season.

In 2018, Darby suffered an ACL injury ending his season after only nine games. Last year, he missed four games due to a hamstring injury and landed on Injured Reserve on Christmas Eve due to a hip flexor.

Those nagging injuries certainly contributed to Darby’s career-low grade of 45.9 by Pro Football Focus in 2019. His grade had never been lower than 68.3 prior to last season. Darby recorded 37 total tackles, 11 pass defends, and two interceptions in 11 games.

Under Cory Undlin in Philadelphia, Ronald Darby played like one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL at times. Scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and coming off yet another season-ending injury, the Lions could look to sign Darby to a team-friendly one-year, prove-it deal hoping a new environment under his old coach might be enough to revitalize his NFL career.