On Saturday, the Detroit Lions defeated the Washington Commanders for their first preseason win. As always, the game was more about individual performances rather than the score. And there were plenty of positive and negative takeaways, both about players and specific position groups overall.
One of those was the cornerback room. The Lions entered preseason with questions about the quality of their CB rotation. They seemingly have enough depth, despite not adding anyone after Terrion Arnold's unexpected departure. They may have enough depth in terms of quantity, but the quality was nowhere to be seen in Preseason Week 2.
Every healthy cornerback saw snaps on Saturday, including projected starters Rock Ya-Sin and DJ Reed. The two veterans were solid in their limited action. The problem was with the rest of the rotation.
In fact, according to Pro Football Focus, the three-lowest-graded defenders for the Lions in the game were three cornerbacks.
Lions' cornerbacks had a disappointing showing vs. Commanders
Keith Abney had the worst game on the team, per PFF, receiving a 26.2 defensive grade and a 26.6 coverage grade. Not only did he allow three catches for 56 yards and a passer rating of 116.7 when targeted, but he also picked up a costly defensive holding call that nullified a sack from the defensive line.
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Nick Whiteside didn't make costly mistakes like Abney, but they were the next two lowest-graded defenders against the Commanders. Whiteside was beaten by Nick Nash for a 55-yard reception. Rakestraw missed Jaden Bradley in coverage to allow a 12-yard reception, and followed that up by losing Luke Cager in coverage, which visibly upset defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard.
This is a problem because all three cornerbacks are projected to make the final roster and play a role for the Lions this season. Abney has shown flashes, but he is still a rookie. Rakestraw has been inconsistent all summer. Whiteside has been emerging, but he is unproven.
What impact this will have on the 53-man roster decisions remains to be seen. Reed and Ya-Sin will almost certainly start on the outside in Week 1. Whiteside, Abney, and Rakestraw should make the cut as backups. This leaves Khalil Dorsey, Christian Izien, and Roger McCreary as other candidates to make the roster. Would the Lions really have eight cornerbacks on the final roster?
Even if they do, is the sheer quantity of cornerbacks enough to feel good about the quality of the position?
The cornerback room still seems fluid with one week left before the roster cutdown date. Another week of practices and a preseason game will help clarify things for the coaching staff. Let's hope that it does enough to give Pistons fans some peace of mind about the CB room.
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