The Detroit Lions could be in the market for a new starting slot cornerback this offseason, as Amik Robertson is scheduled to become a free agent. A starting slot cornerback is not at the top of the list for the Lions in free agency, especially considering their concerns on the offensive and defensive lines.
However, with Robertson’s production taking a nosedive in 2025 and Ennis Rakestraw coming back from another injury, the Lions will need depth and options at that spot.
The Lions could easily fix this issue by re-signing Avonte Maddox, who has experience playing in the slot. But Maddox, who was a great bargain bin signing by Detroit last year in free agency, played well at safety, which the Lions desperately needed with their injuries.
The Lions would love to find the next Maddox or Rock Ya-Sin in free agency this year, who was also signed to a one-year deal and exceeded expectations. It won’t be as easy with this year’s free agency class not being super loaded. However, veteran cornerback Noah Igbinoghene could be the perfect cheap signing for the slot and provide Detroit with competition.
Veteran CB Noah Igbinoghene Could Become Lions’ Next Bargain Bin Success
The 26-year-old cornerback is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after spending the last two years with the Washington Commanders.
Igbinoghene is a former first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in the 2020 NFL Draft. He didn’t do much during his time with the Dolphins, as he only started in five games (played in 32 games overall). He was also inactive for 14 games in 2021 and 2022 after playing in all 16 games as a rookie.
Igbinoghene spent the final year of his rookie deal with the Dallas Cowboys, who acquired him in a trade ahead of the 2023 season. However, he only suited up in five games that season with Dallas.
Despite things not working out in Dallas and Miami, Igbinoghene finally got an opportunity to showcase his skills with the Commanders in 2024. The former first-round cornerback started in a career-high 10 games as he got the chance to play in the slot.
He racked up 55 tackles, seven pass deflections, and a tackle for loss. Igbinoghene also posted a 56.3 completion percentage allowed on targets, an 86.4 passer rating when targeted, and only gave up three TDs. His stability in the slot helped the Commanders make their deep playoff run in 2024.
After re-signing Igbinoghene to another one-year deal last offseason, the Commanders tried to shop him around the league at the end of preseason. Washington did not move the veteran, and his playing time went down.
Igbinoghene went from playing 76% of defensive snaps and starting in 10 games in 2024 to only playing 37% of defensive snaps and making two starts this past season. Despite his limited reps on defense, he still turned in a 62.1 completion percentage and a 90.2 passer rating.
Meanwhile, Pro Football Focus wasn’t too gracious towards the veteran cornerback, as he had a 54.4 coverage grade and a 54.1 run defense grade. Coincidentally, Igbinoghene’s PFF grades were higher than Robertson's (48.0 coverage, 49.0 run defense).
In a way, Igbinoghene would be a marginal upgrade on paper over Robertson. Spotrac projects the veteran defender’s market value as a one-year, $2.4 million deal. That said, Lions GM Brad Holmes should be all over this, as Igbinoghene has starting ability and the versatility to play on the boundary and in the slot.Â