After struggling to stop the pass last season, the Detroit Lions aggressively addressed their need at cornerback this offseason. Within the first couple days of free agency, they had traded for Carlton Davis and signed Amik Robertson. To some degree though, drafting someone at the position was still on the table. Emmanuel Moseley, Kindle Vildor and Khalil Dorsey were re-signed for depth.
The came the unfortunate situation with Cameron Sutton, who was released after a warrant was issued for his arrest in Florida. So that pushed cornerback back toward the top of the list of needs, and it's fortunately a deep draft class at the position.
In the first round, the Lions traded up from No. 29 to No. 24 and selected Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold. Arnold is arguably the top corner in this draft, so he's hypothetically a Day 1 starter. After being so thin at cornerback that Vildor had to start and play nearly every defensive snap late last season, including the playoffs, the Lions suddenly look pretty deep there.
Updated Lions cornerback depth chart with addition of Terrion Arnold
Without further ado, here is the updated cornerback depth chart for the Lions after the addition of Arnold.
LCB: Carlton Davis, Emmanuel Moseley, Khalil Dorsey, Craig James
RCB: Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, Kindle Vildor, Steven Gilmore
Slot/Nickel: Brian Branch
Arnold immediately enters the competition, with Robertson and Moseley, to start opposite Davis. Listing the rookie as the starter is a nod to his draft status, but we of course know that will promise him absolutely nothing with the Lions' coaches when training camp comes around. He will have to earn it, but it's fair to assume he won't expect to be handed anything and he will rise to the challenge of competition. You don't start at Alabama without beating out, and continually staving off, good competition.
The Lions have done a lot to bolster their cornerback depth chart this offseason, and Arnold is as notable as it gets for a draft addition. Still, it's possible another cornerback is added later in the draft.