The Detroit Lions have a cornerback-shaped problem on the roster, and that can be attributed to a nightmarish offseason, highlighted by the controversy and release of Terrion Arnold.
Losing Arnold wasn’t expected, so the Lions weren’t able to adequately address the cornerback position in the 2026 NFL Draft. They selected just one cornerback in the fifth round out of Arizona State in Keith Abney II. Obviously, the Lions’ draft would have looked much different if they had known they would be releasing Arnold this offseason.
Dan Campbell is still optimistic about his cornerback room, revealing that a few guys are stepping up opposite DJ Reed at the other starting spot.
Ennis Rakestraw, Rock Ya-Sin, and even Nick Whiteside are competing for a starting spot, but another option has surfaced in the form of a recently released veteran cornerback from the San Francisco 49ers. Former first-rounder Eli Apple out of Ohio State is back on the market after the 49ers released him on Sunday, making him a legitimate depth option for the Lions.
The #49ers have released veteran CB Eli Apple. pic.twitter.com/opKHL9CGGq
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 2, 2026
I know what your first thought probably is, and the answer is no, he’s not going to solve the Lions’ secondary shortcomings by himself, but it would take a lot of pressure off the inexperienced room.
Apple isn’t exactly an All-Pro cornerback, and anyone who followed his draft class would tell you that he’s been a disappointment in the NFL after being drafted 10th overall in 2016, but he’s a veteran, which might go a long way for a young group of players.
He could play a leadership role in the room and provide depth here and there. He’s not going to make a Pro Bowl, but he could at least put a band-aid on a wound for the time being.
Eli Apple could be looking for one final shot
Talent was never the issue with Apple, but his inconsistencies were a problem early on in his career, and he was probably overvalued in that 2016 NFL Draft. That put a lot of unnecessary pressure on him to live up to being the 10th-best player in his draft class.
Apple could be looking for one final shot to keep his career alive after playing in just six games with two different teams over the past two seasons.
The former Ohio State star began his career with the New York Giants in 2016 and then was traded to the New Orleans Saints, where he played 25 games from 2018 to 2019. He played just two games for the Panthers in 2020, then had back-to-back full seasons with the Bengals in 2021 through 2022 before bouncing around to the Dolphins, Chargers, and 49ers in 2023, 2024, and 2025, respectively.
Now he could be looking for a fresh start somewhere, so why not as a veteran depth piece for a playoff contender? The Lions could use his experience, and he could use a fresh start.
I’m not sure that Brad Holmes would take the risk, but he may be worth a look.
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