By Blessing 
Terrion Arnold Named Among 2024 First-Round Picks Needing to Prove Themselves
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold didn’t exactly have the smoothest start to his NFL career. Coming out of Alabama with high expectations, Arnold was viewed as a potential lockdown defender. But like many rookies, his first year in the league came with growing pains.
One of the biggest concerns during Arnold’s rookie campaign was his tendency to commit pass interference penalties. He was flagged seven times for it, a number that stood out even as he began to settle in later in the season. While there were glimpses of improvement and a growing confidence on the field, his debut year left plenty of room for growth.
NFL analyst Matt Holder recently highlighted Arnold as one of six 2024 first-round draft picks who need to step up to avoid the dreaded “bust” label. Others on that list include Dallas Turner (Minnesota), Darius Robinson (Arizona), Tyler Guyton (Dallas), Jordan Morgan (Green Bay), and Xavier Legette (Carolina).
“Last year was certainly a learning experience for the Alabama product,” Holder wrote. “Speaking to his growth down the stretch of the team’s schedule, he is expected to be a starter heading into year two. However, especially while playing for a team that has Super Bowl aspirations, he can’t get too comfortable or afford to get off to a slow start in 2025.”
That urgency isn’t without reason. The Lions have struggled to solidify their cornerback position for years, and Arnold was selected 24th overall to be a big part of the solution. So far, he’s had moments, but consistency has been lacking.
“Fair or not, the Detroit Lions selected Terrion Arnold with the hopes he could solve one of the most significant issues from the year before,” Holder explained. “Cornerback was arguably their biggest weakness heading into last year’s draft.”
According to Pro Football Focus, Arnold surrendered 56 receptions in his rookie year—the 10th most among NFL cornerbacks. He also allowed a 99.2 passer rating when targeted, indicating that quarterbacks weren’t shy about challenging him.
Now entering his second season, Arnold has an opportunity to flip the narrative. With the Lions eyeing a Super Bowl run, he’ll need to elevate his game and become the dependable defensive presence Detroit envisioned when they drafted him.