Can Detroit’s Cornerbacks Finally Justify the Hype and Transform the Lions’ Defense?

The Detroit Lions’ cornerback corps in 2025 left a lot to be desired — and, honestly, it was tough to watch. After a season riddled with injuries and some uneven play, the big question hanging over Ford Field is how this unit bounces back. Can the talent already on the roster rise to the challenge in 2026? Or is it time to shake things up with fresh investments and new faces in the secondary? With plenty to unpack, I’m diving deep into their offseason outlook, sizing up every piece of the puzzle. Whether it’s faith in internal growth or the need for outside help, one thing’s clear: the Lions can’t afford to keep spinning their wheels here. Ready to explore the cornerback situation from all angles? Let’s get into it. LEARN MORE

Without a doubt, the Detroit Lions cornerback play was a pretty big disappointment in 2025. The question moving forward is: what should they do about it? Can the Lions’ internal options take a big step in 2026, or is it time for another round of investments at the position?

Let’s explore in our position-by-position Lions offseason preview.

Previously:

Lions 2025 recap: Cornerback

D.J. Reed stats (11 games, 11 starts): 46 tackles, 7 passes defended, 2 INTs, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
- 65.2 PFF grade — 45th out of 112 qualifying CBs
- 61.3 coverage grade — 60th out of 109
- 78.7 run defense grade — 10th out of 102
Terrion Arnold (8 games, 7 starts): 31 tackles, 8 passes defended, 1 INT
- 52.6 PFF grade — 94th out of 112 qualifying CBs
- 53.8 coverage grade — 89th out of 109
- 47.1 run defense grade — DNQ
Amik Robertson stats (17 games, 10 starts): 52 tackles, 12 passes defended, 1 INT, 2 forced fumbles
- 48.6 PFF grade — 108th out of 112 qualifying CBs
- 48.0 coverage grade — 101 out of 109
- 49.0 run defense grade — 85th out of 102
Rock Ya-Sin stats (17 games, 6 starts): 47 tackles, 9 passes defended, 2 QB hits
- 64.7 PFF grade — 48th out of 112 qualifying CBs
- 67.1 coverage grade — 39th out of 109
- 50.8 run defense grade — 82nd out of 102

It was a disappointing year for the Lions cornerback room, and it started with injuries. First, the Lions lost 2024 second-round pick Ennis Rakestraw to a season-ending training camp injury. Then Reed went down with a serious hamstring injury that landed him on IR after just four games. Reed was playing well before the injury, but was inconsistent upon his return. He still fits the bill as a strong run defender that can play some man, but it’s fair to say his first year in Detroit didn’t go as hoped.

For Arnold, it was a similar outcome. After a really strong training camp, Arnold came out of the gate with some familiar struggles. But just as it looked like he was starting to turn things around—posting a 67.6 and 90.3 coverage grade against the Vikings and Commanders, respectively—Arnold suffered a shoulder injury that would eventually end his season after just eight games.

Even Amik Robertson, who had a fantastic 2024 season, took a bit of a step back. He wasn’t as bad as his PFF grades suggest and he still remain one of Detroit’s more reliable inside/outside options at cornerback, but there were games he seemed uncharacteristically overwhelmed this year.

Unexpectedly, Ya-Sin may have been Detroit’s best depth option. The veteran cornerback ended up playing at least 10 defensive snaps in 11 games last year, and for the season, PFF credited him with just 26 catches on 49 targets for 276 yards, one touchdown, and a meager 76.6 passer rating when targeted.

2026 for outlook

Currently under contract:

D.J. Reed (under contract through 2027)
Terrion Arnold (2027)
Ennis Rakestraw (2027)
Khalil Dorsey (2026)
Nick Whiteside (2026)

Pending free agents:

Amik Robertson (unrestricted)
Rock Ya-Sin (unrestricted)
Arthur Maulet (unrestricted)
Keenan Garber (street free agent, can sign anywhere now)

While the Lions could certainly get some outside help in both free agency and the NFL Draft, I think this is the year Detroit needs the players they already have to step up. With limited offseason resources available and holes at other roster positions, Detroit probably can’t afford to spend wildly at cornerback—and they shoudn’t.

The Lions have spent years under Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes trying to fix the cornerback room. They spent big on both Reed and Cam Sutton. They drafted Arnold in the first round, and Rakestraw in the second. They traded for Carlton Davis. It’s time for at least one of those investments to pay off. At some point they need young, cheap talent to take over as they turn the page on aging, expensive contracts.

Arnold and/or Rakestraw have to emerge as not only starting-level talent, but great talent. Reed needs to live up to his expensive contract and show that Detroit shouldn’t regret letting Davis walk.

Don’t get me wrong, the Lions would be wise to continue to build out their depth. Re-signing Ya-Sin is a no-brainer, and if they can find a reasonable number to keep Robertson, he is fantastic depth at both outside and nickel. It’d be hard to convince me the Lions should draft a cornerback early, but if they wanted to invest in the middle-to-late rounds, Detroit could use some developmental depth.

But Detroit’s best solution to fixing their cornerback issues is already in-house. Getting the absolute best out of Arnold, Rakestraw, and Reed should be a primary focus for the Lions’ coaching staff, and if they fail to do so in 2026, everything is on the table in 2027.