Detroit Lions doing plenty of pre-draft due diligence on defensive backs

The Detroit Lions are doing plenty of pre-draft visits with defensive backs, with two more revealed on the slate this week.

The Detroit Lions need plenty of help defensively, and it seems like a foregone conclusion they’ll add multiple players to the secondary in the draft. Specifically, they have had or will soon have visits with Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner, Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton and Illinois safety Kerby Joseph.

This week, two more defensive backs have been in town for pre-draft visits.

According to Chris Burke of The Athletic, Oklahoma safety Delarrin Turner-Yell is visiting the Lions on Thursday. And according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, East Carolina cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian has been in for a visit already.

Detroit Lions doing due diligence on defensive backs

Turner-Yell was a three-year starter for the Sooners. He was second-team All-Big 12 last season, as he posted 52 tackles and three interceptions. He is projected as a Day 3 pick. Here’s some of the scouting report on him from SI Draft Bible.

"Turner-Yell’s processing skills are noticeable on tape, as he is always in the right place at the right time, especially in the run game…Turner-Yell has a knack for recognizing route concepts which is one of his most substantial assets as a prospect. His tackling technique is something out of a clinic…"

McMillian (5-foot-10, 183 pounds) played outside in college, but he profiles as a slot corner in the NFL. In his final season at East Carolina, he had five interceptions and 16 pass breakups on his way to a Pro Football Focus grade that came in second among corners in the 2022 draft class. He also earned AP All-American honors.

McMillian is projected as a late-around pick.

The Lions feel sure to take a safety or a corner, or maybe both, within their first five picks of the draft–in the top-100 overall. But they’re clearly leaving few stones unturned, with Turner-Yell and McMillian as projected late-round picks they’ve burned top-30 visits on.