The Detroit Lions overhauled the cornerback room this offseason. After a disappointing 2023 campaign with Cam Sutton, Jerry Jacobs, Kindle Vildor and Will Harris as the primary outside corners, it was a very welcome and needed change.
Only Vildor is back on the outside and there’s no guarantee he makes the final 53-man roster. Detroit used its top two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft on cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw. The Lions also traded a third-round pick to Tampa Bay for longtime top-level starter Carlton Davis, while also adding veteran starter Amik Robertson in free agency. With Brian Branch projected back in the slot after a stellar rookie campaign, the cornerback room appears to be in much better shape now.
That’s certainly the finding in the cornerback room rankings from ESPN and analyst Mike Clay. After sitting in the 25-30 range for the first few years of the Dan Campbell era, Detroit now has one that is scraping the top five in the league.
Where do the Lions projected cornerbacks rank among the rest of the league? Here’s a look:
32. New York Giants
Oct 22, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (25) celebrates after an interception against the Washington Commanders during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Deonte Banks, Cordale Flott, Nick McCloud, Tre Hawkins III, Andru Phillips
31. Arizona Cardinals
Oct 7, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Max Melton (16) celebrates after an interception during the first half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Sean Murphy-Bunting, Max Melton, Garrett Williams, Starling Thomas, Elijah Jones
30. Washington Commanders
Jan 7, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes (13) runs onto the field with teammates prior to their game against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Benjamin St-Juste, Emmanuel Forbes, Jartavius Martin, Mike Sainristil, Michael Davis
29. Las Vegas Raiders
Dec 25, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) interacts with the crowd after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Nate Hobbs, Jack Jones, Jakorian Bennett, Brandon Facyson, Decamerion Richardson
28. Atlanta Falcons
Oct 15, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) catches a pass in front of Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell (24) in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
A.J. Terrell, Clark Phillips III, Mike Hughes, Antonio Hamilton, Dee Alford
27. Pittsburgh Steelers
Dec 23, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) reacts against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 34-11. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson, Cameron Sutton, Josiah Scott, Darius Rush, Ryan Watts
26. Los Angeles Chargers
Oct 2, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (26) reacts as Houston Texans place kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn (7) misses a field goal during the first half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Asante Samuel Jr., Kristian Fulton, Ja’Sir Taylor, Deane Leonard, Tarheeb Still
25. Minnesota Vikings
CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 12: Shaquill Griffin #0 of the Houston Texans celebrates after the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Byron Murphy, Shaquill Griffin, Mekhi Blackmon, Akayleb Evans, Andrew Booth Jr.
24. Carolina Panthers
Sep 19, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (8) celebrates his first NFL interception against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Jaycee Horn, Dane Jackson, Troy Hill, Dicaprio Bootle, D’Shawn Jamison
23. Jacksonville Jaguars
Oct 9, 2022; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (31) breaks a tackle from Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (32) in the fourth quarter at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Tyson Campbell, Ronald Darby, Montaric Brown, Jarrian Jones
22. Cincinnati Bengals
CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 12: Mike Boone #22 of the Houston Texans runs with the ball against Mike Hilton #21 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter at Paycor Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Cam Taylor-Britt, D.J. Turner, Mike Hilton, Jalen Davis, Josh Newton
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Oct 10, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Jamel Dean (35) intercepts a pass in the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum, Tavierre Thomas, Christian Izien, Bryce Hall
20. Indianapolis Colts
Dec 5, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) gestures to his coach to throw a challenge flag after he intercepted the ball against Houston Texans quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Kenny Moore II, Julius Brents, Dallis Flowers, Jaylon Jones, Darrell Baker Jr.
19. Kansas City Chiefs
Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) celebrates with Kansas City Chiefs safety Mike Edwards (21) against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, Nic Jones, Ekow Boye-Doe
18. Houston Texans
(Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
Derek Stingley Jr., Desmond King, Kamari Lassiter, Myles Bryant, Jeff Okudah, C.J. Henderson
17. Los Angeles Rams
(Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports)
Darious Williams, Tre’Davious White, Quentin Lake, Decobie Durant, Derion Kendrick
16. Denver Broncos
Nov 26, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) stretches before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Surtain II, Levi Wallace, Ja’Quan McMillian, Damarri Mathis, Kris Abrams-Draine
15. New England Patriots
Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (6) lines up on Philadelphia Eagles safety Sydney Brown (21) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Shaun Wade
14. Baltimore Ravens
(Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports)
Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, Arthur Maulet, Nate Wiggins, T.J. Tampa
13. Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) is shown during organized team activities Tuesday, May 21, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Corey Ballentine
12. San Francisco 49ers
Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) catches a touchdown pass against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward (7) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Ambry Thomas, Renardo Green, Rock Ya-Sin
11. Seattle Seahawks
(Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports)
Devon Witherspoon, Tariq Woolen, Michael Jackson, Tre Brown, Artie Burns
10. Philadelphia Eagles
(Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports)
Darius Slay, James Bradberry, Avonte Maddox, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean
9. Buffalo Bills
Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas (31) reacts against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Rasul Douglas, Christian Benford, Taron Johnson, Kaiir Elam, Daequan Hardy
8. New Orleans Saints
Oct 15, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) tackles Houston Texans running back Devin Singletary (26) during the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, Alontae Taylor, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Ugochukwu Amadi
7. Chicago Bears
Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson (33) returns an interception as safety Eddie Jackson (4) looks on against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, Terell Smith, Greg Stroman
6. Detroit Lions
Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis III (24) gestures after a play against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
Carlton Davis, Terrion Arnold, Brian Branch, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Emmanuel Moseley
5. Tennessee Titans
(Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)
L’Jarius Sneed, Roger McCreary, Chidobe Awuzie, Tre Avery, Eric Garror
4. Dallas Cowboys
Aug 1, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) congratulates cornerback Myles Brooks (39) after a drill during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge playing fields. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, Jourdan Lewis, Nahshon Wright, C.J. Goodwin
3. Cleveland Browns
Nov 5, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) celebrates his broken up pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown (2) during the third quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Martin Emerson, Cameron Mitchell, Kahlef Hailassie
2. Miami Dolphins
Jan 13, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) runs the ball against Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) during the second half of the 2024 AFC wild card game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Ramsey, Kendall Fuller, Kader Kohou, Nik Needham, Cam Smith
1. New York Jets
Dec 28, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Jets cornerbacks Sauce Gardner (left) and D.J. Reed (4) before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner, D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II, Isaiah Oliver, Brandin Echols