The Detroit Lions are still sorting things out at cornerback as training camp creeps closer.
Their biggest swing came in free agency, when they landed D.J. Reed—the top cornerback on the market and already one of the Lions' highest-paid players. Reed brings instant credibility to Detroit’s secondary and fills a much-needed void. He’s the kind of scrappy, no-nonsense defender that fits Dan Campbell’s gritty culture like a glove.
Drafted in the fifth round back in 2018, Reed clawed his way up from underdog status to certified lockdown corner. After three strong years with the New York Jets, he now arrives in Detroit ready to man one side of the field. But the other side of the field is still murky.
Terrion Arnold on Thin Ice as Lions' Training Camp Approaches
The Lions used the 24th overall pick in the 2024 draft on Terrion Arnold, a blue-chip prospect out of Alabama. Arnold came into the league with all the right tools—elite athleticism, high football IQ, and natural ball skills. But Year 1 didn’t go quite according to script.
To put it bluntly, Arnold got picked on. A lot.
He didn’t record a single interception in his rookie campaign and gave up 50 catches for 660 yards and four touchdowns. Worse, he struggled to keep his hands to himself—getting flagged seven times for pass interference.
No one’s throwing in the towel just yet. Arnold’s ceiling is still sky-high, and the Lions didn’t draft him in the first round to give up on him after one bumpy ride. But in a league where “Not For Long” is the unspoken motto, nothing is guaranteed. That’s why Arnold should be feeling the heat heading into camp.
Amik Robertson, a free-agent pickup last offseason, had a quietly solid year. He played with an edge and earned the coaching staff’s trust. Now he’s gunning for more snaps—and maybe Arnold’s starting spot.
Robertson is only 5-foot-8 and played mostly in the slot last offseason. That size deficit would make it difficult for him to slide outside. However, Detroit could get creative with their defensive backs and find a way to get him on the right matchups.
The Lions have been stacking wins in the regular season, but the real goal is postseason success. After falling short in the playoffs the last two years and losing key coaches this offseason, Detroit can’t afford to waste time waiting on a sophomore breakout.
If Arnold doesn’t come out firing at training camp, don’t be shocked if the Lions shake up the depth chart. The competition will be fierce, and every rep counts. He still has the tools to be a high-end starter, but potential alone won’t save his job. It’s time to prove last season was just a rookie hiccup and not a sign of things to come.