The Detroit Lions have some holes they need to fill this offseason after missing out on the playoffs, and cornerback Amik Robertson could be on his way out of town.
Robertson didn't end the season on a high note and is set to hit free agency in March. The cornerback room could use an addition, and the first round of the 2026 NFL draft should provide the Lions with the opportunity to add Robertson's replacement for the 2026 season and beyond.
Lions Will Have CB Options at No. 17 in 2026 NFL Draft
We are very early in the process, so draft boards and rankings will undoubtedly change. Nonetheless, there's a lot of depth to be found in this draft, as pointed out by ESPN's Jordan Reid.
From early indications, Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy and LSU CB Mansoor Delane are slated to be the top two corners taken in the draft, with potential landing spots ahead of Detroit like the Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Jets, to name a few.
Yet you never know what can happen. McCoy didn't play in 2025 due to a torn ACL, but he has the traits to take the football away. He's very fluid and explosive in coverage and can make plays on the ball, recording 44 tackles, nine pass deflections, and four interceptions in 2024 with the Volunteers.
As for Delane, he's an instinctive and aware pass defender, with a knack for getting his hand on the football. In his collegiate career, he had 27 deflections and eight interceptions. Delane is fluid in both man and zone coverage, ranking fourth in the nation this past year in yards allowed per attempt on throws in his direction (3.3).
Avieon Terrell, the younger brother of Falcons DB A.J. Terrell, is another talented DB in this class. Terrell thrived in press-man coverage with the Clemson Tigers. He's able to shift with ease in the open field with the speed to keep up with faster receivers. In 12 games this past season, Terrell had 48 total tackles, nine pass breakups, three sacks, and five forced fumbles.
There will be several other players who rise and fall on the draft boards, but there won't be a lack of options for the Lions to consider. Players like Brandon Cisse, D'Angelo Ponds, Chris Johnson, Devin Moore, and Davison Igbinosun are some names to watch for during the pre-draft process.
In 2025, Robertson allowed the third-most receiving yards (821) and catches (66) among cornerbacks. The production was nowhere near good enough; the Lions know this. Detroit needs to find upgrades at cornerback, and their first-round pick may be the spot they seek to find that player.