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Detroit Lions 2024 Cornerback Breakdown: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Future Outlook
A Stronger, More Talented Secondary
Heading into the 2024 season, Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes made it a priority to upgrade the team’s cornerback unit. The results spoke for themselves. The additions of veteran Carlton Davis III, free-agent signing Amik Robertson, and rookies Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. transformed the Lions’ secondary into one of the most improved units in the league.
Davis played at a Pro Bowl level before a broken jaw ended his season in December. His impact extended beyond the field, serving as a mentor to young cornerbacks like Arnold and Rakestraw. Opposing quarterbacks struggled against him, posting just a 77.0 passer rating with two touchdowns when targeting him.
Robertson showcased his versatility, starting the season as a nickel corner before shifting outside when Davis was sidelined. His standout performance against All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson in the NFC North-clinching victory highlighted his value to the team.
Arnold, a Day 1 starter, quickly proved he belonged, defending 10 passes in his rookie campaign. The Lions’ pass defense as a whole was elite, allowing the second-lowest completion percentage in the NFL (62.6%) and holding opponents to an 82.0 passer rating—the best mark in the league.
Where the Lions Struggled
Despite the improvements, penalties were an issue early in the season. Detroit ranked second in the NFL with 19 pass interference penalties, resulting in 274 lost yards. Additionally, they led the league with 11 defensive holding calls, though not all were on the cornerbacks.
Arnold was a primary culprit early on but showed significant improvement as the season progressed. Another area for concern was the lack of interceptions from the cornerback group—only two, both by Davis. If the Lions want to take another step forward, they’ll need more ball production from the position.
Additionally, Rakestraw’s rookie season was hampered by injuries, limiting him to just eight games and 46 total defensive snaps. The Lions will look for a big step forward from him in Year 2.
Key Stat: Red Zone Lockdown
Detroit’s pass defense was particularly dominant inside the 20-yard line. Opposing quarterbacks posted just a 39.6 passer rating, completing only 7-of-52 passes to the end zone. Even more impressive, the Lions’ defense forced six interceptions and allowed just seven touchdowns in those situations.
Upcoming Free Agency Decisions
The Lions have several cornerbacks set to hit free agency:
Carlton Davis III
Khalil Dorsey
Kindle Vildor
Emmanuel Moseley
Davis is the most significant name on the list. At 28 years old, he will likely draw plenty of interest on the open market. The question for Detroit is whether they want to invest heavily in keeping him or trust players like Robertson, Arnold, and Rakestraw to step up.
Dorsey, meanwhile, suffered a broken leg in December but was one of the NFL’s top special teams gunners before the injury. His future with the team may depend on his recovery and the Lions’ willingness to retain key special teams contributors.
Will the Lions Add More Cornerbacks in the Draft?
Last year, the Lions spent their first two draft picks on cornerbacks, selecting Arnold and Rakestraw. While they remain key pieces of the team’s future, Detroit could still look to add depth in the 2025 NFL Draft.
NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah has five cornerbacks ranked in his initial Top 50 prospects. Picking at No. 28, the Lions may be out of range for elite talents like Will Johnson (Michigan) and Jahdae Barron (Texas). However, names like Azareye’h Thomas (Florida State), Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky), and Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame) could be in play for Detroit on Day 1 or 2 of the draft.
Final Thoughts
The Lions’ cornerback unit took major strides in 2024, playing a key role in the team’s success. With a mix of veteran leadership and young talent, the future of the position looks bright.
However, key decisions remain—most notably whether to re-sign Davis and how to address depth concerns. If Detroit can clean up penalties and generate more takeaways, the secondary could be even more formidable in 2025.
As general manager Brad Holmes said of Arnold’s development:
“We knew that it wasn’t going to be big for him… all those snaps that he played are going to serve him well going forward.”
The same can be said for the entire Lions secondary—2024 was a major step forward, but 2025 could be even better.