The Detroit Lions are gearing up for the Green Bay Packers in Week 7. They had an early-season bye in Week 6, but they should be well-rested for this game. This matchup is super important, as the NFC North is arguably the best division in the league, so every game matters.
The Lions have a clear hole at cornerback, and they should keep their eye on Titans CB Alontae Taylor. Last week, he was a healthy scratch for the Tennessee, which is telling since they gave him a three-year, $58 million deal in free agency that featured $42 million guaranteed.
Fans know that the Lions could use more juice in the secondary, and the idea of trading for Taylor has to be considered.
The Lions should inquire about Titans CB Alontae Taylor
Before joining the Titans, Taylor was with the New Orleans Saints, where he excelled as a slot corner. When he joined Tennessee, they decided to move him to outside corner, and the results haven't followed.
In five games, he logged 166 coverage snaps, allowing 21 catches (22 targets) for 226 yards and a score as the nearest defender. Per Next Gen Stats, Taylor has a catch rate allowed over expected of +30.5 percent and a target EPA of +21.3. Both of those markers aren't pretty, but it has to be considered that playing a new position in a new scheme is playing a role in that.
Titans head coach Robert Saleh said Taylor being inactive was to give him time to reset, since he's playing a new position. He added that they plan to continue working with him, but benching a guy five games into his tenure is less than ideal.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano released an article and named Taylor as a potential trade candidate. His benching raised eyebrows around the league, but money would be a hurdle that would need to be cleared in any possible trade.
"His Week 6 benching has placed him on the radar of teams that might look to bolster the position in the next few weeks. He has struggled as an outside corner for Tennessee but is at his best as a disruptive slot closer to the action. He's 27 with good football left, so a trade could bring out his best. Money is a hurdle: Taylor's salaries of $9.49 million in 2026 and $20.5 million in 2027 are guaranteed. Perhaps a new team could rework that money on a new deal while asking Tennessee to front some of the bill in exchange for a quality pick," Fowler wrote.
As Fowler suggested, the Lions and the Titans would need to hammer out the details around Taylor's salary. If Detroit convinced Tennessee to eat some of Taylor's salary in exchange for a higher draft pick, that could make the deal easier to facilitate.
Lions could use better production in the slot
The Lions have leaned on Roger McCreary to play the bulk of snaps in the slot, and he's had his fair share of issues too. Per Next Gen Stats, he has given up 21 catches (35 targets) for 297 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Potentially adding Taylor to the mix would improve Detroit's secondary, but they would need him to take over in the slot. He's at his best near the line of scrimmage, and for a Lions team that needs more from their CBs, this idea has to be intriguing.
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Yes, Brian Branch is nearing his return, and during his time in Detroit, he's played in the slot a lot. They could be looking to do that again, yet the idea of getting a cornerback who has found success in this league shouldn't be overlooked.
The Lions' CB room has been disappointing. Trading for Taylor and putting him back at his natural position in the slot could get him playing at the level that he did in New Orleans and that would instantly improve a weakness that has plagued this team.
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