The Detroit Lions had their eye on Kenny Moore II, but the veteran cornerback is heading to the Philadelphia Eagles instead.
Moore, a former Indianapolis Colts defensive back and 2021 All-Pro, gives the NFC East powerhouse another piece for its secondary. For Detroit, it’s another missed chance to address a need that has been hanging over the roster.
The Lions have been working through the week with smaller-name options, and they brought former Lion defensive back Jalen Mills back onto their practice squad ahead of Week 3. It’s still unclear whether Mills or someone else will be elevated before the game against the New York Jets, but Detroit is already dealing with a starting safety out.
At safety, the Lions’ choices are limited. Mills, Aamaris Brown, and Nick Whiteside are on the practice squad, while Mike Edwards and Jordan Fuller remain available in free agency. None of those options, though, exactly jump off the page.
That’s why the loss of Moore stings. He was one of the more appealing names on the market, and he’s healthy and ready to go this season after dealing with injury issues in recent years. Detroit just couldn’t get him.
Cornerback looks like the bigger problem anyway, and that’s where the situation gets even tighter. Marshon Lattimore, Trevon Diggs, and Sean Bunting are the top cornerbacks still on the free-agent board, but there isn’t much there that feels like a clean answer for the Lions.
Right now, the team seems to be hoping it can simply get by at safety until Brian Branch returns from the PUP list. If that happens, he and Chuck Clark would make up the starting duo.
Outside corner remains the real headache. Ennis Rakestraw Jr. or Roger McCreary could help, but the Lions are still staring at a thin set of choices. Without a trade, there doesn’t appear to be an easy way for Detroit to fix the spot, and Brad Holmes has shown a tendency to avoid major midseason swings.
If the Lions want a real solution at outside corner, trading for a starter may be their best shot. Otherwise, they’re left hoping one of the current options can hold the line.
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Dan Campbell confirmed Holmes is doing that work, which tells you the Lions are at least preparing for more than just a short-term adjustment. Among the names in play are Melifonwu, Hallett and Wisniewski, with the appeal coming either from prior familiarity with Detroits defense or the fact that they are available elsewhere, but the bigger question is how quickly the Lions can turn that search into something useful. [Read more 🡒]