Detroit Lions
Are The Lions Still On The Hunt For Cornerback Depth?
Brad Holmes & Dan Campbell Stick To The Plan
During the combine interviews, Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell both stated they wanted to improve the team, “get better,” and all positions were on the table. It did not take long as the Lions began the free agency tampering period with a banger of a headline.
It was known on March 13th, the Lions planned to sign the former Pittsburg Steeler, Cameron Sutton. Sutton comes to Motown on a three (3) year / $33 million dollar deal. Coming to the Lions after spending six (6) seasons with the steelers, Sutton is widely regarded as a top 20 corner in this league. At the outset of free agency, the depth chart consisted of Jeffrey Okudah, Jerry Jacobs, Chase Lucas, Mac McCain, and Jarren Williams. Sutton is now the leader of this group and instantly the CB1 on this roster moving forward and so much more. The Brad Holmes fit is truly on display here as the trait he endures the most outside of character, is versatility.
I’m not just a cornerback, I’m not just a nickel, I’m not just a safety,” Sutton said. “I’m an overall defensive back who can affect the game and be what you need me to be. Don’t get me wrong, if you need me in a stationary role, you need me to play outside, whatever that is, I’ll do it. It’s about impacting the game.” Cam Sutton – Detroit Lions Press Conference.
The Lions continued to load up, adding another key piece to this Lions defense. On March 16th, 2023, the Lions announced the signing Emmanuel Moseley to a one year deal worth $6 million. Joining his former Tennessee teammate, Sutton, the Lions are quietly building a dominant DB room.
Entering the league undrafted, Moseley began to emerge as a vital role player during his 2nd season with the San Francisco 49ers. Shortly thereafter, he battling injuries which limited his play, logging more than 10 injury designations since 2020. A torn ACL ended Moseley’s 2022 season, and his career as a San Francisco 49er. During Emmanuel’s’ initial player press conference after the signing, he had this to say.
“They took a chance on me, signed me here coming off this knee injury,” Moseley said. “But I know what type of player I can be. I see the direction that the program is going in. I used to watch the games, just being a football player, watching the games, you can see that they’re transcending in the right way, so why not be a part of that?” Emmanuel Moseley – Detroit Lions Press Conference
With Moseley not likely to return to full health by training camp or full recovery to start the season, another monster headline surfaced out of Allen Park Sunday night on March 19th, 2023. The Detroit Lions agreed to terms with the former Eagles safety, C.J. Gardner Johnson, on a 1 year / $8 million dollar deal.
Gardner-Johnson played a huge role in the Eagles’ defense during the 2022 season, helping to lead the team to its first Super Bowl appearance since 2017. Gardner-Johnson is comfortable in the slot and safety positions, which is exactly what Brad Holmes looks for in the players he acquires, versatility.
Gardner-Johnson has history with the Lions that make this signing even better. He was drafted by the Saints in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. At which time the Lions current DC Aaron Glenn was serving as the defensive backs coach, and HC Dan Campbell was coaching the Saints tight ends. To say the Lions value relationships is an understatement.
“The lesson (Glenn) taught me was that to become a better player over time you have to invest in your craft,” Gardner-Johnson said Monday after signing. “That was the best advice I ever took from him.
“It’s like a father-son relationship. When I mess up, even when I wasn’t playing for him, when I messed up, I’d text him and say, ‘Did you see it, or not see it?’ The relationship with him just being there helping me get better every day. I remember him telling me, ‘By the time I get you again, where I’m going to be at, you’re going to be exactly where I need you to be.'” C.J. Gardner-Johnson Detroit Lions Press Conference
It would appear the Lions are set with their core pieces, at least in 2023, or are they?
This made three big moves by the Lions to solidify one of the weakest units through the 2022 season. Sending shockwaves across the NFL and instantly upgrading the unit to compete at a prominent level. After the big splash was over, the Lions re-signed Will Harris & CJ Moore, and added another depth/camp piece with the addition of Khalil Dorsey. Currently, the Lions have nine (9) cornerbacks and five (5) safeties on the depth chart (Per ESPN).
The Lions made a statement here, by not standing still with last season’s porous & lackluster performance. Proving the Lions are willing to spend the money and make the tough decisions necessary to get better. Which begs the question as to what will happen now with Jeffrey Okudah, where does he fit into the long term plans?
The Lions organization did not bring these veteran leaders in to sit or work their way in. The three (3) free agent signings are coming to Detroit to start and play now. Sutton is by far the superior corner to Okudah. With CJ Gardner-Johnson’s ability to play both safety and slot, that further pushed Okudah down the depth chart. A healthy Moseley can certainly compete with Okudah and is expected to round out the top of the depth chart. Okudah is now the 4th best CB on the roster and would likely get time against better matchups and nickel packages, but his time in Detroit is limited.
Are The Lions Finished Adding Defensive Back Help?
The Lions have one starting cornerback, Cam Sutton, signed past the 2023 season. Chase Lucas was drafted on 2022 and signed through 2025. Currently he is an unproven slot corner occupying the practice squad at the bottom of this roster. Then there is the unlikely event that Jeffrey Okudah has his 5th year option picked up in 2024, effectively ending his employment with Detroit after the 2023 season.
I have the sneaky suspicion the Lions are on the hunt to add one more defensive back to benefit from the veterans just acquired. The 2023 draft is the best option for the Lions to upgrade with a defensive back selection in the 1st or 2nd round. This move will promote viability, longevity, and youth at the position.
Since January 2023, I slated Devon Witherspoon as the best overall & pure press man corner in this draft. Some say its too early, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he went to the Lions at #6 in the 2023 NFL Draft. Dan Campbell & Brad Holmes love versatility, if they pass on a day one DB, expect the Lions to target one on day 2 that could potentially be a role player at both the slot and safety. I really like Antonio Johnson or Brian Branch to fill that void.
Why Taking A DB Early Makes Sense
The Lions are building for the future, there is no reason the Lions would not continue with the youth movement established over the last two (2) seasons. Utilizing the draft to stay young at the defensive back position and playing the game of roster roulette to keep the rotation of top tier talent in and salary cap manageable.
It would only make sense to acquire young talent now, giving the rookie(s) access to quality veteran leaders that have a wealth of experience to share. Players & teams accelerate the learning curve when surrounding young players with polished veterans and quality coaches. Having a veteran presence can really speed up the development process during the initial stages of young careers.
This is exactly what I believe did not happen with Jeff Okudah. The questionable team leadership, lack of veteran DB’s and Matt Patricia chasing Darius Slay out of town, had a huge impact or lack thereof with Jeff Okudah’s early years. By not having a veteran to learn from, Okudah struggled on the field mightily, with injuries then limiting his ability to perfect his craft. Coaching is one major component, and as integral as it is, peer to peer development is critical to a young player’s opportunity for success.
For those reasons, I believe the Detroit Lions will be looking to add a dynamic defensive back in the upcoming NFL draft. For now, the Lions can rest assured they have at least on paper brought in what could become a top 15 DB room. One that that I have coined “The Den Of Doom.”