Should the Detroit Lions go ‘YOLO’ and add another veteran to the secondary?

The Detroit Lions seem fairly well set in the secondary now, but could they still add another notable free agent to the mix?

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes recognized his team’s biggest need in free agency, and he attacked it agressively. Cornerbacks Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley were added early, and the first week of free agency was closed by the signing of versatile defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

This week’s trade of Jeff Okudah to the Atlanta Falcons is not a needle-mover for the Lions plans in any capacity. Cornerbacks were on the radar for the draft and still will be, and there may be an eye on remaining free agents if there could be a fit.

It would seem the Lions are done adding veterans to their secondary. But maybe not….

Could the Detroit Lions go ‘YOLO’ and add another veteran to their secondary?

In a recent piece about team fits for free agent cornerback Marcus Peters, Nate Bouba of NFL Trade Rumors offered up the Lions. It has to be noted the piece came out before Okudah was traded.

"Another cornerback to the Lions? Although Detroit signed Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley to go with former top pick Jeff Okudah. But Moseley is coming off a torn ACL and the jury is still out on whether Okudah can be a reliable starting corner. More depth never hurts either, as teams can get painfully thin at cornerback in a hurry.It’s not clear how much Peters has left in the tank, and he’s not for everyone either as he plays with an undisciplined streak. Sometimes it results in game-changing turnovers, other times he gets beat. The Lions’ aggressive mentality on defense seems like it would suit Peters, though."

Peters is 30 years old now, which helps explain why he’s still available. After missing all of the 2021 season with a torn ACL, he played 13 games for the Baltimore Ravens last season with 47 tackles, one interception, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He also allowed a less than ideal 113.7 passer rating.

The longer Peters remains available, the number of team options he has and the contract he can get drop. While he’s no longer the full ballhawk he once was he seems to have a little something left, and he played 92 percent of the snaps in the games he played last year.

It’s unclear if the Lions have moved on from the idea of adding any more pieces to the secondary in free agency, but drafting a cornerback does now seem far more likely than signing a veteran. That said, Peters is an interesting enough name to spur the idea the Lions would consider signing if the circumstance fits.