There's no doubt the Detroit Lions secondary is far better now than it was at any point last season. Talented, versatile, the apple of defensive coordinator (and former high-level NFL cornerback) Aaron Glenn's eye.
That being said, with Emmanuel Moseley recovering from a torn ACL and seemingly on track to start the season on the PUP list, the experience level for the Lions at outside cornerback falls off quickly behind Cameron Sutton and Jerry Jacobs. Behind those two veterans, it's undrafted rookie Starling Thomas and Steven Gilmore or second-year man Chase Lucas.
In a broad sense, the Lions could be looking at who's available in a few spots. Moseley's absence from the active roster to start the season, assuming that does happen, possibly pushes cornerback into that conversation.
Division rival's draft disappoinment named easy fit for the Detroit Lions
On a recent list of 10 NFL Free Agent Fits That Make Too Much Sense, Dallas Robinson of Pro Football Network had one for the Lions--cornerback Cameron Dantzler.
"Dallas Robinson, Pro Football Network
Speaking of NFL teams that need cornerback help, we present the Lions. Detroit revamped their secondary over the offseason, adding Cam Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley on the outside while bringing in C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Brian Branch as slot options.
But the Lions still need more help. Moseley, recovering from a torn ACL, is on the PUP list. Head coach Dan Campell said this week that “it’s going to be a while” before the ex-49er can return. Jerry Jacobs is a viable replacement, but Detroit needs more bodies in the defensive backfield.
Cameron Dantzler has already spent time with three teams this offseason, serving brief stints with the Commanders and Bills after being released by the Vikings in March.
Dantzler has flashed in the past and still has youth (24 years old) on his side. He won’t be a miracle worker for the Lions, but he could play if needed"
Dantzler was a third-round pick of the Vikings in 2020. He started 10 games as a rookie, finish ing as Pro Football Focus' highest-graded rookie cornerback in the league. His overall performance was not bad the following two seasons, but he did miss time in both (24 total games played) and his development stalled. It says a lot that the Vikings waived him in March, rather than see if new defensive coordinator Brian Flores' system was a better fit.
The Washington Commanders claimed Dantzler off waivers, then they released him late-May. The Buffalo Bills signed him, then they waived him with an injury settlement late last month. But there may have been a little more to it than an injury.
The Bills have waived CB Cameron Dantzler Sr. with an injury designation. He came to yesterday’s practice late, without his helmet, and did not participate.
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) July 28, 2023
The team signed cornerback Kyron Brown in a corresponding move.
In a vacuum, Dantzler could help the Lions and he does stand out a little as a notable cornerback name who's available. But he might not be totally healthy, and apart from that he may have rubbed the Bills the wrong way with his approach to being injured.
That latter point will not fit with Dan Campbell, and the Lions have gotten a look at Dantzler the last couple seasons. So the fit feels strained, even if a little perimeter corner help could be needed.