Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs eyeing improvement in healthy offseason

Heading into an offseason where he’s not rehabbing an injury, Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs is looking to improve his game.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes had some undrafted free agent finds in 2021. Among them was cornerback Jerry Jacobs, who eventually moved into a large role and played well.

But Jacobs’ promising rookie season ended with a torn ACL early in a December game against the Denver Broncos. That recovery of course delayed the start to his second NFL season, and he played 12 games this season. He was eased back into action in his first two games back, but over the final 10 games he was a prominent part of the Lions’ secondary

Jacobs became the Lions’ most consistent cornerback over that stretch of games. He allowed just one touchdown in his coverage area on 542 defensive snaps, with a 53.3 percent completion rate and a 70.0 passer rating allowed (according to Pro Football Reference).

The Lions are headed for some changes to their cornerback depth chart this offeason. Amani Oruwariye, Mike Hughes and Will Harris are free agents, and all three could very well be gone. Drafting a corner or two is surely on ther radar, and a notable dip into the free agency or trade market can’t be ruled out.

That said, Jacobs will be around. And unlike a year ago, he’s healthy going into the offseason.

Jerry Jacobs eyeing improvement during a healthy offseason

Jacobs appeared with Tim Twentyman of the Lions’ website from Super Bowl radio row on Thursday. He talked broadly about being healthy as the offseason starts, then he mentioned an area he wants to make notable improvement in.

"I’m looking forward to it,” I’ve been training since I got out of Detroit just because I know I wasn’t playing at my full percent (coming off the ACL). I’m just ready to get back in Detroit for the spring workouts and get it going. Last offseason I was just doing a lot of rehabbing … it’s a blessing I can have a one good offseason.”As soon as the offseason hit, I knew one thing I really needed to do is go tell my DB trainer, I think it was finding the ball,” Jacobs said. “I’m there every time and as soon as I ended the season, I called him and said, ‘Hey, if you can help me find the ball we’ll be millionaires around here.’It’s the truth. We’ve been working on that a lot. Finding the ball is the most important part of my game right now.”"

Jacobs added how he’s looking forward to the additions Holmes makes to the secondary in free agency or the draft. It’s not a surprise he’d welcome the competition.