Roger McCreary arrived in Detroit with a real chance to carve out a major role, but the early returns at training camp have made his roster path look a lot shakier than anyone expected.
The Lions signed McCreary in the offseason, and he entered camp viewed as a strong candidate to start in the secondary. His versatility was a big part of the appeal.
He can line up outside or in the slot, and he’s proven to be a steady run defender. The 2022 second-round pick ranked among the top 20 cornerbacks in run stops in three of his first four NFL seasons, and in 2023 he was tied for sixth with 13 run stops.
Before camp even opened, plenty of fans and observers had McCreary pegged as the favorite to win the starting nickel job. His experience helps explain that confidence. In his career, he has logged 2,170 total reps in the nickel or box alignment.
But the competition in Detroit is not standing still. Rock Ya-Sin is currently the favorite to start on the outside opposite returning starter D.J. Reed, while third-year corner Ennis Rakestraw Jr. has also been getting a healthy number of first-team snaps on the boundary.
McCreary, meanwhile, has had a rough time in coverage since camp began, and Thursday may have been his toughest day yet. He was beaten on a hitch route by Tom Kennedy, got beat vertically by Malik Cunningham, and later allowed a touchdown to Dominic Lovett during a red-zone drill.
That kind of stretch is hard to ignore, especially for a player trying to lock down a spot. McCreary, who split time with the Titans and Rams last season, simply has not looked like a dependable cover corner so far.
The concern is even bigger because Detroit does not have much depth in the secondary and still does not have a clear No. 2 outside corner. That puts more pressure on McCreary to steady himself quickly.
He needs better practices, and he needs them soon. He’ll also need to show more in the preseason opener in Cincinnati on Aug. 13.
If that doesn’t happen, his place on the Lions’ season-opening 53-man roster could be in real danger.
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