The Detroit Lions have added a number of veterans on the cornerback place, however free company additions have not stopped basic supervisor Brad Holmes from drafting at any place previously.
In 2023, the Lions introduced in veteran David Montgomery at working again then promptly drafted Alabama’s Jahmyr Gibbs with their first decide of that 12 months’s draft.
Now, even with the additions of D.J. Reed, Avonte Maddox and Rock Ya-Sin, cornerback might nonetheless be in play for the Lions in some unspecified time in the future within the upcoming draft. The truth is, the Lions have drafted a defensive again in every of the 4 drafts Holmes has performed in his function with the Lions.
Here’s a assortment of cornerbacks that the Lions might goal in every spherical of the NFL draft.
Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina
Earlier than having his closing collegiate season minimize quick on account of a knee damage, Revel was rising up draft boards. He was the perfect cornerback on the Group of 5 stage and is an athletic specimen, indicating that he has all of the instruments to compete with NFL receivers from a bodily perspective.
There’ll by issues about his well being as he recovers from a torn ACL, however his agent put out a message indicating that he plans to be cleared this summer season. With the Lions‘ depth on the place, he would not must be a star straight away and consequently Detroit might spend the 12 months unlocking his bodily presents.
Trey Amos, Ole Miss
An preliminary assessment of Amos’ movie could recommend that he does not have the pace or explosiveness to measure up towards NFL pace on the boundary. Nonetheless, a deeper dive reveals that he has the required approach and may be capable of maintain his personal after which some.
Amos is a really disciplined participant who’s bodily and hard, and he is showcased a flair for the Lions‘ desired press-man protection scheme. Being so technically sound helps him keep away from drawing penalties, and he allowed an NFL passer score of 54.5 on passes thrown his means.
The Ole Miss product can be a dependable tackler, although he generally tends to wrap up too excessive.
Darien Porter, Iowa State
Porter has a background just like that of a Lions star in Kerby Joseph. When he started his collegiate profession, Porter was a large receiver who at 6-foot-4 appeared the a part of a contested catch menace. Nonetheless, he transitioned to the defensive facet and has thrilling potential.
Due to his receiver background, Porter has distinctive ball abilities. Moreover, he has elite explosiveness and pace as evidenced by his 4.3 40-yard sprint.
He is nonetheless comparatively new to the cornerback place, because the 2024 season was his first as a full-time starter. Nonetheless, he had three interceptions final season and with some improvement might wind up being a strong participant on account of all of his tantalizing bodily traits.
Mello Dotson, Kansas
Dotson is a real ball-hawk on the cornerback place, as he had 12 interceptions over 5 seasons together with 5 final 12 months for the Jayhawks. He earned Second Crew All-American honors consequently.
An enormous a part of what makes Dotson profitable is his potential to make use of his size, as he allowed a completion proportion of 56.7 whereas utilizing his lengthy arms to pressure incompletions. Nonetheless, generally he has a knack for leaving an excessive amount of area for receivers on the break of a route.
Dotson’s missed deal with charge can be excessive, and does have some approach limitations at this level. Nonetheless, if the Lions worth his abilities with the ball within the air, they might discover him worthy of some improvement.
Nohl Williams, California
Williams‘ physicality is clear in how he performs, which makes him interesting to a crew like Detroit that performs loads of press-man protection. At 6-foot, 199 kilos, Williams reveals no worry in matching up with wideouts on the line of scrimmage and delivers a powerful pop along with his fingers on the snap of the ball.
The defender was an All-American in 2024 after notching seven interceptions. He additionally has a low missed deal with charge of 5.7 p.c, and the Lions could discover it value overlooking a few of his pace limitations given how effectively his type matches their scheme.
O’Donnell Fortune, South Carolina
Fortune is an intriguing prospect with a protracted 6-foot-1 body and the athleticism to compete for a spot straight away. He has good ball abilities as effectively, with a complete of seven interceptions in his profession, and his 108 profession tackles are proof of his potential to battle towards the run.
There are bodily limitations that he faces, similar to his lack of top-end pace and his struggles towards faster or extra bodily huge receivers. Nonetheless, he might wind up being a contributor on particular groups early in his profession with the power to develop right into a strong piece.
Jason Marshall Jr., Florida
Marshall is an attractive athlete who has loads of explosive traits that may catch the eyes of coaches throughout the league. He scored a relative athletic rating over 9, placing him above the ninetieth percentile in athleticism amongst prospects.
Nonetheless, Marshall does have some struggles with tackling, and there are issues about his dedication stage primarily based on what he displayed on tape. His athleticism is actually intriguing and can assist him match up towards any competitors, however groups must determine whether or not these traits are sufficient to look previous among the issues.
