Emmanuel Moseley tearing his other ACL two plays into his team debut made it a conversation, then Jerry Jacobs missing Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens exposed it. The Detroit Lions need some help at cornerback. Under ideal circumstances, Will Harris would not be on the field for 83 percent of defensive snaps like he was on Sunday, and he has played at least 70 percent of the snaps in three straight games.
No matter how much the Lions' coaches love Harris, they also surely realize he's not very good and he's a legit liability as other teams target him. He needs to be replaced in the kind of role he's had, though the health of others has pushed him into that role. But the way things have gone on the injury front for the Lions, when Harris will be on the field less can't be set in stone.
With eight days to go before the trade deadline, trading for a cornerback is definitely on the radar for the Lions. Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus has offered up a potential trade target for Brad Holmes.
NFL trade rumors: Cornerback offered as ideal trade target for Detroit Lions
Among his 10 trades NFL teams should make before the deadline, Spielberger suggests the Lions trade for Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson.
"Jackson has played in various different schemes over the past few seasons and should be able to adapt to Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s scheme, which has also continued to evolve around the talent in Detroit. Jackson has earned coverage grades between 55.0 and 70.0 in six straight seasons, a consistent presence in the secondary."
Jackson has what's left of this year and next year left on his contract, tabbed at about $12.2 million (but just $600,000 guaranteed) by Spielberger. Multiple reports last week said the Panthers are shopping him, as they move into full-on sell mode at 0-6. Spielberger proposed the Lions giving up a 2023 fourth-round pick and a 2025 sixth-round pick to get him, and if that's the price it is certainly right.
Jackson is clearly available, and the Lions need a capable, experienced cornerback badly. Lions' fans may want a bigger name, but the fit with Jackson looks pretty go