The Detroit Lions don’t have a huge need at cornerback, but the 2025 NFL Draft class could provide some long-term help at nickel.

For the past several offseason, the Detroit Lions have targeted the cornerback position as both a short and long-term position of need. Now, in 2025, it seems they are well set up for both. But with a little closer look at the depth chart and contract lengths, there does appear to be one significant need from this position group.

2025 Detroit Lions draft preview: Cornerback

Under contract: D.J. Reed (under contract through 2027), Terrion Arnold (2027), Ennis Rakestraw (2027), Amik Robertson (2025), Khalil Dorsey (2026), Avonte Maddox (2025), Rock Ya-Sin (2025), Stantley Thomas-Oliver (2025)

*Lions could activate Campbell’s fifth-year option next year, which would extend his contract through the 2027 season

Short-term need: 1/10
Long-term need: 3/10

It’s very possible—if not likely—that Detroit’s current set of cornerbacks have every player who will be on the 53-man roster come September. Reed and Arnold are the likely starting outside corners, with Rakestraw and Robertson competing for the starting nickel job. Dorsey, if healthy, can be both the primary backup on the outside and the best special teams player from the group. While Maddox (nickel) and Ya-Sin (outside) provide necessary veteran depth.

There isn’t much of a long-term need, either, with Reed, Arnold and Rakestraw all signed for the next three years. That said, Rakestraw’s fit on the roster is still being figured out. Is he outside cornerback depth? Will he eventually become the starting nickel? That nickel spot is particularly intriguing, because Robertson has been a valuable piece both there and on the outside. Will the Lions re-sign him, or will Rakestraw develop enough to have that role? With no clear long-term plan at nickel, that could be a sneaky need in the draft.

Additionally, all of the team’s depth (aside from Dorsey) is under contract for just a single year. Don’t be surprised if they add some young, developmental talent either late or after the draft as an undrafted free agent.

PFF top-100

• Travis Hunter, Colorado (#1)
• Jahdae Barron, Texas (#11)
• Will Johnson, Michigan (14)
• Trey Amos, Ole MIss (#28)
• Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame (#32)
• Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky (#43)
• Shavon Revel, East Carolina (#44)
• Darien Porter, Iowa State (#64)
• Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State (#70)

It’s not a particularly stunning cornerback class at the top of the draft. That, along with Detroit’s relatively low need at the position, makes a first (or even second) round pick at cornerback unlikely for the Lions. That said, there have been a couple of mocks that have paired Detroit with a player like Maxwell Hairston. Hariston is undersized (5-foot-11, 183) but blazing fast. He’s inexperienced at man coverage and has some struggles in the run game, it’s not because of will. He’s got that dawg mentality that could draw the Lions in, and the Lions have reportedly had a pre-draft visit with him.

Personally, I’m a little more inclined to take Jahdae Barron if he’s there. He has the inside/outside versatility that could give the Lions some long-term competition for Rakestraw. Barron is coming off an incredibly productive year (16 passes defended, five interceptions), although he took even less man-coverage than Hairston last year.

Heading into Day 2, Trey Amos is another intriguing option. He’s one of the better run defenders in this year’s class, and he’s got some size the Lions are currently lacking (6-foot-1, 195). I don’t know if he’s there at Pick 60, though. Azareye’h Thomas has a similar skillset to Amos, and even drew a Carlton Davis comparison from Dane Brugler in The Beast.

If Holmes wants to go the “Manager’s Special” route and take another player coming off injury, Shavon Revel is coming off a torn ACL suffered in September of 2024. He plays a very physical style of defense, both in press coverage and against the run. Although he doesn’t have the versatility to kick inside.

Notable Day 3 players

Jacob Parrish (Kansas State), Cobee Bryant (Kansas), Upton Stout (Western Kentucky)

Parrish and Bryant are likely right on the border of Day 2 and 3, so don’t be surprised if they’re gone by the third round. Parrish is the short-but-scrappy type of cornerback that has seemed to caught Detroit’s eye as of late. He’s competitive in press, aggressive in the run game, and has played both outside and nickel. Bryant also has inside/outside versatility, but comes with considerably more size. He was very productive in his last two seasons, combining for 20 passes defended and eight interceptions. But his athletic profile leaves a lot to be desired.

If you’re looking for a late-round sleeper, Stout is an interesting small-school prospect. At 5-foot-8, 181, he may be a nickel only, but he certainly doesn’t play like it. He plays big, has impressive speed, and decent instincts. At the very least, his mentality and speed makes him a great special teams candidate with the possibility to be a future starting slot corner.