The Detroit Lions head into the 2026 offseason with a clear to-do list-but it’s not just the obvious needs that should be on their radar. While the defensive backfield was riddled with injuries last season, and many of those players are expected to return healthy, Detroit may not want to roll the dice on health alone. That opens the door for some under-the-radar additions, particularly at cornerback.
Now, on paper, cornerback might not scream “priority.” But dig a little deeper and there’s reason to believe this could be a sneaky area of focus.
Ennis Rakestraw, a former second-round pick, struggled to stay healthy, and Terrion Arnold’s development has been a bit of a roller coaster. That kind of uncertainty-especially in a defense that leans heavily on man coverage-can’t be ignored.
Enter Colton Hood, a Tennessee cornerback who’s starting to generate some buzz during the pre-draft process. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein sees shades of Carlton Davis in Hood’s game-a comparison that should perk up ears in Detroit.
Davis, of course, was a physical, press-man corner during his time with the Lions before heading to New England. If Hood brings a similar edge, he could be exactly what this secondary needs.
Zierlein’s scouting report paints the picture of a gritty, physical defender who thrives in press coverage. Hood’s described as a “press-man bully,” someone who sets the tone early in the route and doesn’t back down.
He’s got the speed to stay with vertical routes and shows good awareness on in-breaking routes from both press and off-man alignments. While he’s generally disciplined in zone, he can occasionally get tripped up by route combinations-something that can be coached up at the next level.
But what really stands out is Hood’s physicality. He’s not just handsy at the line-he brings the fight to the catch point and doesn’t shy away from contact.
In run support, he triggers downhill like a heat-seeking missile, delivering hits that look more like a safety than a corner. That kind of toughness is a hallmark of Dan Campbell’s Lions, and it’s easy to see why Hood might be on their radar.
There’s still development needed-particularly in refining his instincts and technique-but the upside is there. Hood profiles as a potential CB2 in a press-heavy system, which aligns perfectly with what Detroit runs. And with his projected growth timeline pointing to a starting role within two years, he fits the Lions’ broader trajectory as they continue to build a sustainable contender.
The Carlton Davis comparison is more than just a flattering comp-it’s a reminder of what the Lions lost when Davis left in free agency. Reports indicated that Detroit made a real effort to retain him last offseason, coming close to a deal before contractual terms got in the way. Despite the split, Davis has nothing but love for the organization.
“I love Detroit,” Davis said recently. “Before the season started, I was rooting for those guys to make it back to the playoffs.
I still got a lot of close relationships with the team. Even how it went with free agency, with us and Brad and Dan, it was a straight-up process.
Good conversation, good communication. I got nothing bad to say about them.
I’m still a big fan of what they do.”
That kind of mutual respect speaks volumes about the culture in Detroit-and it underscores the type of player the Lions gravitate toward. Tough, smart, physical, team-first guys who can handle the demands of an aggressive, man-heavy scheme.
Hood fits that mold. And if Detroit sees in him what they once saw in Davis, don’t be surprised if his name gets called when they’re on the clock this April.
The Lions don’t need to overhaul their cornerback room-but they do need to fortify it. Hood’s combination of physicality, upside, and scheme fit makes him a name to watch as the draft approaches.