The Lions’ ideal late-round cornerback prospect
The Detroit Lions are a team in transition, but with a solid foundation and a promising future. One of the areas they are most likely to target in the upcoming drafts is cornerback, especially in the later rounds. In the NFL, cornerbacks are integral to defending the pass, and with a league that’s increasingly relying on the passing game, having the right talent at the cornerback position is vital. In this piece, we will explore the ideal late-round cornerback prospect for the Lions.
1. The Detroit Lions’ Cornerback Needs
Over the years, the Lions’ defense has been somewhat lackluster, especially in terms of their secondary. Despite having talent in various positions, the Lions have struggled with their cornerbacks. In recent years, the team has been improving, but cornerback is still a position that requires depth and consistency. Although Detroit made moves to address their secondary in recent drafts, including selecting Jeff Okudah third overall in the 2020 draft, the position remains an area of concern. Okudah showed flashes of promise before his injury-plagued career to date, but the Lions still need a reliable presence to bolster their cornerback depth chart.
Given the limited success they’ve had with high-round cornerback picks and the fact that the team is in a rebuilding phase, the Lions may find themselves searching for cornerback talent in the later rounds. A late-round cornerback can offer significant upside while also being more of a developmental project. Selecting the right prospect can yield a significant return on investment, as late-round cornerbacks often develop into starters or important depth pieces. The ideal cornerback for the Lions should possess traits that complement their defensive philosophy while also adding versatility to their secondary.
2. Traits of the Ideal Late-Round Cornerback Prospect
2.1. Size and Physical Attributes
Size is one of the most important characteristics when evaluating cornerbacks. While you can find successful cornerbacks with varying physical builds, the ideal prospect for the Lions would ideally be between 5’10” and 6’1″ with a weight range of 190 to 210 pounds. This size provides the necessary height to contest passes, defend against taller wide receivers, and offers the strength to make tackles in open space.
In addition to size, athleticism is a major factor. The cornerback should have quick feet, good lateral movement, and the speed to keep up with fast receivers. Cornerbacks often have to transition quickly from a backpedal to running forward, so agility is key. In this sense, the cornerback’s 3-cone drill, shuttle time, and 40-yard dash times should be indicative of good athleticism. While pure speed isn’t always the most important factor (since instinct and positioning matter as well), the ability to match up against speedy wide receivers and play tight man coverage will be necessary for the Lions.
2.2. Ball Skills
Ball skills are essential for a cornerback in today’s NFL. A cornerback that can regularly make plays on the ball by intercepting passes or breaking up throws can be a game-changer. For the Lions, it’s especially important that their cornerbacks excel in this area since they have struggled with turnover generation in the past. A late-round prospect who shows excellent hands, timing, and awareness when contesting passes would be invaluable. The Lions can benefit from a cornerback who consistently disrupts passing attempts, as interceptions and forced incompletions would make their defense much more aggressive and dangerous.
2.3. Awareness and Football IQ
Football IQ can’t be overstated for cornerbacks, and it’s an area where many late-round prospects can shine. A cornerback with great awareness can read a quarterback’s eyes, anticipate routes, and know when to press the receiver or back off. In zone coverage, football IQ and the ability to recognize route combinations and passing tendencies are critical.
For the Lions, a cornerback that understands offensive schemes and can read the quarterback’s movements is a tremendous asset. Not only does this player need to react quickly to passes, but they must also communicate well with other members of the secondary, especially in zone coverage where coordination is key.
2.4. Versatility and Scheme Fit
While most cornerbacks have a natural strength in either man or zone coverage, a versatile cornerback is invaluable in a defense that might shift schemes week-to-week. For the Lions, a late-round cornerback prospect who can play both man and zone coverage would be the ideal fit. The Lions have used a variety of defensive schemes under their current coaching staff, and it’s important to have cornerbacks who can adapt to both man-to-man assignments and cover 2 or cover 3 zone schemes.
Additionally, a cornerback who has experience in press coverage, off coverage, and can play in the slot would give the Lions added flexibility. While their primary need might be an outside cornerback, having a player who can switch between positions would allow the coaching staff to optimize their defense depending on the opponent. It’s also crucial to have a player who can be physical in press coverage, challenging receivers at the line of scrimmage and potentially disrupting the timing of passing routes.
2.5. Tackling and Run Support
While cornerbacks are primarily tasked with defending the pass, their ability to contribute in run support is also important, especially in today’s NFL, where teams like to utilize screens and short passing games in conjunction with the running game. A cornerback who can wrap up and make solid tackles in the open field, as well as set the edge against outside runs, would be a key contributor to the Lions’ defense.
The ideal late-round cornerback for the Lions should have a good tackling technique, showing the ability to step up and prevent yards after catch. While they might not be expected to make every tackle, showing a willingness and ability to make plays in the running game would make them a valuable asset for Detroit’s defense.
3. College Traits to Look for in a Late-Round Cornerback Prospect
3.1. High Football IQ and Awareness
When scouting cornerbacks in the later rounds, college production often provides a solid baseline. However, a key area to look for is football IQ, which can often be assessed by how well a player reads the quarterback and adjusts to different offensive schemes. Players who have consistently shown that they can break up passes, anticipate plays, and work well in zone or man coverage schemes will be much more likely to translate well to the NFL.
3.2. Productive Tackling Numbers
A cornerback prospect in the later rounds should show that they’re not just covering passes but also willing to step up and contribute as a tackler. For a cornerback to thrive in a defense like Detroit’s, it’s important they show the ability to make plays in space and consistently bring down ball carriers. Evaluating a player’s ability to prevent yards after catch, make open-field tackles, and show a high-effort motor will help ensure they are a well-rounded prospect.
3.3. Experience and Maturity
While athletic traits are important, experience can also play a major role in a cornerback’s development. A late-round prospect with three or four years of starting experience at a major college program will be a safer bet than a player with minimal starting experience. Players with a wealth of experience at the college level will be better prepared for the complexities of NFL offenses, and those who played in big conferences against top competition will have faced an array of different offensive styles and challenges.
3.4. Consistency Over Flash
In the later rounds, it’s not about finding the player with the highest upside or the most athletic traits but about identifying someone who has consistently performed well in their role. A cornerback who has been consistently good, if not spectacular, at their college program may be more likely to develop into a reliable contributor at the NFL level. A prospect with consistency in their tape, especially in big games, is preferable to one who has shown sporadic flashes of brilliance.
4. The Lions’ Ideal Late-Round Cornerback Prospect
Combining all the aforementioned traits, the ideal late-round cornerback prospect for the Lions is someone who fits their defensive scheme, has the athleticism to compete with NFL-level receivers, and possesses strong instincts and awareness to excel in both man and zone coverage. They should be versatile enough to contribute in various roles, including the ability to handle press coverage, cover in the slot, and provide run support.
Furthermore, this player should demonstrate maturity, strong football IQ, and consistency in their college career. They will be a developmental project, but with the right coaching, they have the potential to develop into a starting cornerback or key depth piece for the Lions, contributing to the team’s secondary as it continues to improve.
In conclusion, the Lions’ ideal late-round cornerback prospect should be a player with a balanced skill set—someone with good size, athleticism, football IQ, and versatility. If the Lions can secure a player with these qualities in the later rounds, it would go a long way toward shoring up their secondary and improving their defense in the years to come.
