The Lions made it clear on Friday that Joey Porter Jr. was a real target.
Dan Campbell didn’t dance around it in his morning press conference, saying Detroit was “very in” on the cornerback before the Cowboys stepped in.
"That's been ongoing and everything's gotta align right and the Cowboys did what they wanted to do but we were very much in," Campbell told reporters.
That kind of admission says plenty about where the Lions stand at cornerback. They are still looking, and general manager Brad Holmes is still working the phones for a deal that makes sense.
"Just like any year, man, it's nonstop. Brad's constantly looking to upgrade this roster at every position. If we can find somebody that we feel like fits us and can help us, and the value's right, we will."
With Porter off the board, Detroit’s attention figures to stay on the trade market in the weeks ahead. Unless Ennis Rakestraw Jr. suddenly turns into a breakout answer or D.J. Reed somehow looks about five years younger on the field, cornerback remains a clear point of focus.
Campbell’s comment that things didn’t “align” for a Porter deal points to the most likely sticking point: money. Trading for a cornerback who wants an extension and then not paying him would invite a messy situation, and that’s not the kind of move Holmes or the Lions typically make.
There are still other names worth watching. Riley Moss of the Denver Broncos and Kristian Fulton of the Kansas City Chiefs were identified as more affordable options, and both could come into play if their teams decide they have enough depth at the position.
Detroit doesn’t face Dallas this season, which removes one possible showdown. Still, Porter will remain a player to watch after the Lions missed out on him while trying to address a major need in the secondary.
In Other News...
Dan Campbell Hinted At Big Lions Roster Decisions Before Carolina
With a short week leading into Carolina, Dan Campbell spent part of his pregame update signaling that the Lions still have some roster chess to play. Detroit is in trade talks for Joey Porter Jr., while safety Brian Branch is nearing a return to practice, and Campbell also made clear that he remains confident in linebacker Jack Campbell even after a slow start to the season. The message was less about the headlines than the direction: the Lions are still sorting out how their defense wants to look as the schedule tightens.
The immediate assignment, though, is straightforward enough. Detroit is focused on keeping Bryce Young from settling in, and Campbell said the biggest defensive concern beyond that is handling tight ends in the middle of the field. He also raised the possibility of rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder getting defensive snaps, a reminder that the Lions may not be done adjusting the group as they balance short-term needs with longer-term decisions. [Read more 🡒]
Brian Branch Return Timeline Just Got A Lot More Interesting
Brian Branchs path back to the field is starting to come into focus, and that matters for a Lions defense that has had to wait out one of its most important young pieces. The safety is close to returning from the Achilles injury he suffered last season, according to Dan Campbell, after beginning the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list. If the timeline holds, Branch is expected to be eligible to return to practice next week, a first step toward getting him back in the mix.
What happens after that will be the part Detroit is watching most closely. The Lions would then have the 21-day window to work through before deciding on activation, and Kelvin Sheppards recent comments about the defense and its preparation only add to the sense that the unit is bracing for a potentially meaningful addition. For a team trying to keep its defensive rhythm intact, Branchs return would be one of the more notable developments on the horizon. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Could Have Tough Trade Calls If Young Talent Keeps Rising
The Lions are heading toward the trade deadline in an unusual spot for a team still trying to build something lasting: they are expected to be buyers, but they also have to keep sorting through which veterans and depth pieces fit the roster long term. As Detroit evaluates its options, cornerback Amani Oruwariye, defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike and offensive lineman Logan Stenberg have surfaced as names to watch, especially if the front office decides a roster spot or draft asset can be better used elsewhere.
What makes the calculus trickier is that the answer may not be about those players alone. The Lions also have to factor in how younger talent is coming along and whether injuries create new pressure points before the deadline arrives. If those developments keep breaking the right way, Detroit could find itself making some difficult calls on useful pieces rather than simply adding help. [Read more 🡒]