The Detroit Lions have started to steady the ship on defense, but the secondary still looks like the spot that can get them beat.
At 5-2, with Miami coming up next, Detroit has won three straight and held each opponent to 21 points or fewer during that run. That’s real progress for a unit that had been under plenty of heat. But even with the defense trending up, the Lions still have a glaring need at cornerback, and the trade deadline on Nov. 10 gives them a chance to do something about it.
The biggest concern remains the pass defense. Going into Week 9, Detroit is still 32nd in the league against the pass at 276.6 yards allowed per game, and it is tied for 32nd in passing touchdowns allowed with 18. One move won’t fix that by itself, but the Lions can’t afford to sit on their hands either.
The good news is that the run defense has been doing its job. Detroit ranks ninth in the league against the run at 96.6, and opposing teams have not had much success on the ground. That gives the defense a foundation to work with, even if the back end remains shaky.
That’s why the Lions should be looking at affordable depth options at corner. They don’t need a savior; they need bodies who can help stabilize the rotation.
One possible target is Jets cornerback Nahshon Wright. He signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal in free agency, but he has been a healthy scratch almost all season.
Wright has said he’s frustrated and has talked with the front office, though he has not asked for a trade. Even so, the situation suggests the Jets don’t have much of a plan for him, and Detroit could probably land him for a 7th-round pick.
Wright started 16 games last season with the Bears and had his share of issues, allowing 60 catches for 800 yards and eight touchdowns. Still, he also came away with five interceptions. For a Lions team looking for a low-cost corner with some starting experience, that kind of profile has appeal.
Another name in that same range is Saints cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. He’s also on a one-year deal, and with New Orleans sitting at 2-5, there’s a chance the Saints would rather turn him into an asset than keep him around for the long haul. Emerson has been more of a depth piece, though his playing time has increased over the last two weeks.
In six games, Emerson has posted 18 total tackles, four pass deflections and two interceptions. He also carries a 40.9 passer rating allowed, has given up 2.6 yards of separation and is forcing tight-window throws 27.8 percent of the time.
Like Wright, Emerson likely wouldn’t cost more than a 6th- or 7th-round pick. The Lions are in the middle of a playoff push, but the cornerback room still needs help, and that’s a problem they can’t simply outrun.
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Lions Get An Early Week 9 Test Miami Could Complicate
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Miami has been leaning into youth, cutting veterans and bringing in a wave of rookies, which has made the first part of the season uneven. The results have mostly been rough, but the Dolphins have shown some signs of life lately, including a close loss to the New England Patriots, and that kind of progress can make an early November test a little trickier than expected for a Lions team trying to keep its footing. [Read more 🡒]