The Detroit Lions added two new cornerbacks at first of free company, and so they could possibly be out there for a 3rd after they launched Cam Sutton on Wednesday.
Listed here are 5 cornerbacks the Lions may pursue to fill their void within the secondary:
L’Jarius Sneed
The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs used the non-exclusive franchise tag on Sneed earlier than the beginning of free company, however are reportedly keen to commerce their high cornerback. Sneed has been a stable performer all through his profession however is coming off his finest season as a professional. He had two interceptions and 14 passes defensed final season whereas serving to the Chiefs win the Tremendous Bowl.
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Sneed would require a multi-year contract, and the Lions must surrender excessive draft decide compensation in any commerce. That is perhaps a non-starter after buying and selling a third-round decide to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Carlton Davis III earlier this spring, however he suits what the Lions need in a cornerback and is the most effective participant accessible on the place. The Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings are amongst groups reportedly serious about Sneed.
Marshon Lattimore
Lattimore has three years left on his contract with the New Orleans Saints, although Saints coach Dennis Allen left open the potential of buying and selling the cornerback on the NFL mix.
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“Lat’s a giant a part of our staff,” Allen stated, per Nola.com. “Proper now.”
The Saints might not be capable to commerce Lattimore till later this spring for cap functions, but when they’re in search of takers there’d be a pure slot in Detroit. Lattimore performed his first 4 NFL seasons below Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. He is missed 17 video games the previous two seasons due to accidents.
Xavien Howard
Howard is essentially the most achieved cornerback nonetheless accessible in free company after he was launched by the Miami Dolphins earlier this month. He is a four-time Professional Bowler who led the NFL with 10 interceptions in 2020, although his manufacturing has dipped not too long ago.
Howard has been linked to the Houston Texans, although nothing seems imminent there. He turns 31 in July, so he is not a long-term reply at cornerback. However he’d give the Lions a great, high quality starter reverse Davis for 2024.
Stephon Gilmore
Like Howard, Gilmore’s finest days as a cornerback are behind him, although he proved final season he nonetheless has a lot to offer. He had two interceptions and 13 go breakups in 17 video games with the Dallas Cowboys in 2023, when he allowed completions on simply 55.8% of the passes thrown his manner, in response to Professional Soccer Reference.
Gilmore will not require a long-term deal as he turns 34 in September, and the Lions may give him the prospect to play along with his brother, Steven, a backup who made the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent final 12 months.
Adoree’ Jackson
Whereas Gilmore and Howard headline the over-30 crowd of free-agent cornerbacks, Jackson is considered one of a handful of barely youthful veterans nonetheless available on the market together with Eli Apple (who additionally performed for Glenn with the Saints) and Rock Ya-Sin. Jackson has the inside-outside versatility the Lions like, plus return capability, and performed final season in a blitz-heavy scheme.
One different cornerback to notice: If the Cleveland Browns really are open to dealing considered one of their cornerbacks for cap causes, because the Washington Submit reported earlier than free company, Greg Newsome would make this record. Newsome is younger (23) and coming off a two-interception season, although like Sneed, he can be expensive to amass and re-sign long-term.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Observe him on Twitter @davebirkett.