Could the Detroit Lions have acquired one of the buzziest free agents this offseason?
By the end of the 2026 season, one ESPN analyst definitely sees that in the teams' future as it pertains to cornerback Roger McCreary.
Ben Solak shared six things he's most intrigued by with just 100 days left until kickoff to the new year, and one note he shared was just praise of the Lions' McCreary signing, which might've flown under the radar amid Detroit's signing of Cade Mays.
"When we look back at the most important offseason move that didn't get discussed at the time (think linebacker Zack Baun to the Eagles or defensive tackle DeMarcus Lawrence to the Seahawks), we will highlight cornerback Roger McCreary to the Lions. He was traded from a sleepy Titans team to the Rams midseason but then failed to see major action after a hip injury a few weeks later. McCreary has inside/out versatility on a Lions team that needs more reliable coverage players."
McCreary signing named the potentially most impactful for Lions
Center was a hugely critical role to fill. Cornerback wasn't as crucial with Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed expected to enter this season healthy. That's why the Mays signing was seen as such a huge get, as Detroit had gone from at least one starting center on the roster in Graham Glasgow to essentially none.
So, McCreary gaining some love from Solak here is well-deserved. The corner could be one of the better depth pieces on the Lions' roster this season, especially compared to the Legion of Whom that we had to endure for much of the second half of 2025. Having someone with his versatility, either as a slot corner or on the outside, provides insurance for an injury-prone positional group.
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McCreary, Christian Izien, and rookie Keith Abney II suddenly help to now create one of the better second-string rooms behind Arnold and Reed the Lions have had in years. And, there's now a genuine battle for starting NB - Ennis Rakestraw Jr. will have to prove himself tenfold if he wants to stand out against the hungry McCreary, Izien, and Abney.
While his numbers might not reflect too much of an impact, don't sleep on McCreary's ability to become a true ball hawk and turnover machine with the Lions.
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