Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold is already feeling the heat.
On Friday, Lions.com senior writer Tim Twentyman shared his list of five impressive players at the team's mandatory minicamp, and Rock Ya-Sin's addition gives Arnold valid competition at starting cornerback in Detroit's defense heading into next month's training camp.
"The veteran re-signed with Detroit this offseason after stepping into an important role due to injury last season," Twentyman wrote, then adding, "Opposing quarterbacks had just a 51.9 percent completion percentage when throwing at Ya-Sin ... with a 72.6 passer rating and one touchdown."
Terrion Arnold under pressure heading into training camp
Twentyman observed Ya-Sin doing "more of the same" during minicamp, helping improve his case to land a role on the first-team defense at outside corner at Arnold's expense with D.J. Reed already commanding one of the spots entering training camp.
"If Ya-Sin plays like he did this week, he'll have a great chance to earn the job," Twentyman wrote.
Paired with comments head coach Dan Campbell made earlier this week, Arnold, the No. 24 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, is far from guaranteed a spot with the starters heading into his third season.
On Wednesday, Campbell emphasized to reporters that while Arnold, out with a shoulder injury, is expected to be at full strength for training camp, he must "earn" the starting gig once healthy.
That shoulder (and a concussion) limited Arnold to eight games last season, but he struggled when healthy, allowing 25 completions for 341 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. Per NFL Pro data, he ranked No. 146 among 224 qualified defensive backs in coverage EPA.
According to NFL Pro Insights, opponents picked on him much more often than as a rookie when thrown at on 16.2 percent of his coverage snaps. Last year, quarterbacks targeted Arnold at a 22.9 percent rate.
He particularly struggled against good quarterbacks, with his best performances coming against Joe Flacco, Jake Browning, Marcus Mariota, and J.J. McCarthy. Meanwhile, Jordan Love, Caleb Williams, and Lamar Jackson lit him up, completing 17 of 27 pass attempts when targeting Arnold for 252 yards and three touchdowns.
Ya-Sin's strong minicamp performance gives the Lions a viable alternative if Arnold fails to take ownership of the position. He's underwhelmed through two seasons, and coming off a disappointing non-playoff season, the Lions can't afford to give him a third.
For a team that's been among the best in the NFL in recent years and identifying and developing talent through the draft, Arnold is dangerously close to becoming a rare Detroit whiff. But if he takes the starting role with an impressive camp, that would be the first sign he's ready to live up to his potential.
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