The Detroit Lions know the task at hand this offseason, and that's adding more talent to the defensive side of the ball. They will have multiple guys hitting the open market, including cornerback Amik Robertson.
The Lions will need to find his replacement, and they could have the perfect option available. ESPN's Dan Graziano and Ben Solak released an article discussing 15 potential trade candidates, listing San Francisco 49ers CB Renardo Green as having an 80% chance of being traded.
With a void in the secondary, Detroit should call up the 49ers and see what it would take to bring him to the Motor City.
Lions Should Call 49ers Regarding Renardo Green Trade
Robertson was in Detroit for the last two years, starting in 14 total games. Yet he left a ton to be desired in coverage. In 2025, he posted a 48.6 overall grade (110th among 114 graded CBs) and a 48 coverage grade (106th among 114 graded CBs). To make matters worse, he ranked fourth among CBs in yards allowed in coverage (817) with six touchdowns.
Those numbers were among the worst in the league, showcasing the Lions' need to take another swing at DB.
Graziano provided several reasons why the 49ers could move on from Green, including the possibility that he's no longer a scheme fit under the new defensive coordinator, Raheem Morris.
"The Niners have a new defensive coordinator in Raheem Morris, and Green might not be a scheme fit. The 2024 second-round pick has just one interception in two NFL seasons, and he seemed to fall out of favor a bit with the coaching staff at times last season."Dan Graziano, ESPN
With the combination of there being a new scheme and being at odds with the coaching staff, a new start would be ideal for both sides.
Green is just 25 years old and still has two seasons left on his rookie deal. Although his numbers did dip in 2025, per Pro Football Focus, he flashed as a rookie, displaying reasons to be optimistic.
Stats | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
Overall Grade | 69.2 (40th among 117 graded CBs) | 54.1 (92nd among 114 graded CBs) |
Coverage Grade | 74.3 (16th among 117 graded CBs) | 53.5 (93rd among 114 CBs) |
Pass Breakups | 13 | 10 |
Passer Rating Allowed | 92.1 | 82.6 |
The issues with the 49ers' coaching staff may have contributed to Green's downturn this past season, but he offers fantastic upside for a Lions team that needs to replace Robertson. That's without mentioning that Terrion Arnold, D.J. Reed, and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. all missed time in 2025.
The Lions must prioritize adding more quality players to their CB room, and Green would help accomplish that goal. He would be an upgrade over Robertson and wouldn't cost more than a Day 3 pick to get the deal over the finish line. That should be tempting enough for general manager Brad Holmes to pick up the phone.