The Detroit Lions are likely to reconstruct their defense this offseason, and there are multiple different avenues where they could do so.
Most expect the defensive line to be a major target, and many have cited the secondary as another spot where the Lions could add reinforcements. But what college players could be a fit for Detroit?
Pro Football Focus' Mason Cameron recently named one. In a piece citing the perfect scenario for teams in free agency and the draft, Cameron believes Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison is the best draft fit for the Lions.
"Although Morrison has the tools to be selected in the front half of Round 1, he missed the back half of the 2024 season after suffering a hip injury that required surgery, which could see him slide come draft day. Given his profile as a solid man-coverage cornerback at Notre Dame, he would provide the Lions with a natural fit to replace the departing Carlton Davis III in Detroit’s Cover 1-heavy scheme."
Morrison was productive in college with nine interceptions, but he only played six games in 2024. Though he's a scheme fit, he'd be yet another defender coming off injury if selected by Detroit. The Lions' recent draft history shows why they should look elsewhere in 2025.
Detroit Lions would be foolish to prioritize cornerback early in 2025 draft
In last year's draft, the Lions double-dipped at cornerback with Terrion Arnold in the first round and Ennis Rakestraw in the second. That clearly showed that Brad Holmes understood improvements were needed.
Arnold battled ups and downs his first year in the NFL. While he was a routine contributor, his play lagged even though he was a locker room fit. While Rakestraw battled injury most of the year, he was close to playing a big role early in the season.
The Lions want to get Rakestraw into the mix, and Arnold is eyeing a second-year breakthrough, It would be smart for Detroit to let both their second-year players take steps forward. Cornerback is a tough position to learn as a rookie, and there's no reason the Lions need to add another first-round pick, much less one coming off injury.
Instead of letting Davis walk, the Lions should do everything they can to keep him. If the pursuit falls short, another quality veteran should be added instead of another first-round rookie. It only makes sense for a team that is firmly in a championship window.
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