The Detroit Lions could use some help at cornerback.
Although they signed Roger McCreary to be their new nickelback and re-signed Rock Ya-Sin, the Lions could use more help on the outside. Terrion Arnold has yet to get it together in his two years in the league, and D.J. Reed hasn't been much better on the other side of the field.
The Lions gave up 217.4 passing yards per game last season, ranking 20th in the league. They also allowed 24.3 points per game (22nd), and that's not going to get the job done in the brutal NFC North.
With that in mind, it wouldn't be shocking to see him go after some competition for Reed in the 2026 NFL draft.
Last season, Reed only made 11 appearances, all starts. He finished the campaign with 46 tackles (37 solo), seven passes defensed, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and a couple of interceptions. While not necessarily terrible, it wasn't what this defense needed.
Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 65.2, ranking 46th of 114 eligible cornerbacks. He allowed 32 receptions on 56 targets for a 57.1% successful catch rate, 430 receiving yards, and one touchdown. He also gave up 13.4 yards per reception, the second-worst in his career.
So, if the Lions want to light a fire under Reed, drafting a certain Tennessee Volunteer would be one way to accomplish that.
Lions Should Consider Drafting Tennessee's Jermod McCoy
Enter Jermod McCoy.
The former first-team All-SEC cornerback is going to be a bit of a project because he missed the 2025 season with a torn ACL, but his tape is simply mesmerizing. Had he stayed healthy, he'd probably be not only the first cornerback off the board but also a top-10 selection.
McCoy is a privileged athlete who excels in vertical routes, showing great patience in zone coverage and not falling for headfakes or most moves intended to mess with his rhythm. His ball skills are impressive, and he was also a willing contributor against the run. He tends to gamble a bit too much, but that can be coached out of his game, and his physical tools are just off the charts.
Of course, McCoy only has two years of collegiate experience, so it might be a while before he can be a full-time starter. That should only motivate Reed to take his game to the next level, knowing that his replacement will already be in the building.
Still, McCoy's numbers are impressive, even in a small sample. PFF gave him an 87.0 overall and a 89.6 coverage grade in 2024 after logging 53 total tackles (37 solo), 11 run stops, a 50.0% completion rate, six pass breakups, and four interceptions. Opposing quarterbacks had a passer rating of 53.6 when targeting him.
McCoy is a special talent, and having him fall into the Lions' lap at No. 17 would be a true blessing. Between needing to motivate Reed — who's a potential cut candidate in 2027 — and Arnold's often lack of availability, general manager Brad Holmes must seriously consider adding the Tyler, TX native to his roster next month.