The Detroit Lions’ pass defense struggled significantly last season, especially in the latter part of the season. In several key matchups, opposing quarterbacks were able to exploit their secondary, racking up substantial yardage through the air.
In Week 16, Nick Mullens threw for 411 yards against the Lions’ defense. This trend continued into Week 17, with Dak Prescott accumulating 345 passing yards. In Week 18, Mullens once again had a big game, throwing for 396 yards. The Wild Card Round saw Matthew Stafford amass 367 passing yards against Detroit, followed by Baker Mayfield with 349 yards in the Divisional Round. Even in the NFC Championship Game, Brock Purdy managed to put up 267 passing yards against the Lions’ defense.
The struggles in the secondary were exacerbated by injuries and inconsistent performances from key players like Jerry Jacobs and Cameron Sutton. With Emmanuel Moseley also dealing with injury issues, the need for an upgrade in the cornerback position became increasingly evident.
Now, the Lions have an opportunity to address this pressing need in the offseason. Adding a cornerback who can serve as a true No. 1 option could significantly improve the team’s pass defense and help them compete more effectively in future matchups.
The Detroit Lions’ greatest opportunity to acquire a cornerback is evident.
The Kansas City Chiefs have placed the franchise tag on cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, indicating their desire to retain him. However, reports suggest that both the Chiefs and Sneed are open to the idea of a tag-and-trade scenario. In this scenario, Sneed could negotiate with other teams, and if the Chiefs chose not to match the offer, they would receive two first-round picks as compensation.
Recent reports have identified the Detroit Lions as a potential suitor for Sneed, along with several other teams. If the Lions pursue Sneed, they might need to part ways with significant draft capital, possibly including their 29th overall pick in the upcoming draft. Woodward Sports analysts Braylon Edwards and Tom Mazawey discussed the possibility of trading the 29th pick for Sneed, emphasizing his proven talent and the importance of addressing the Lions’ clear need at cornerback.
However, another suggestion floated by Ryan Ermanni is to pursue a trade for Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones instead. Ultimately, the Lions must weigh their options carefully and consider all possibilities to address their primary needs this offseason. If acquiring Sneed means parting with their first-round pick, they may need to seriously consider it, given the importance of addressing their cornerback position.
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