Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold\u2019s name has been in the news lately surrounding some alleged ties to a robbery that has produced six arrests so far. <\/p>\n
And though the Lions don\u2019t seem to think Arnold will be charged<\/a> with anything or miss time, it\u2019s worth reexamining the state of that unit as a whole\u2014just in case.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a look at the Lions\u2019 cornerbacks to see where they stand just a few weeks out from the 2026 NFL draft.<\/p>\n Lions’ cornerback room depth ahead of 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n If everything turns out fine with Arnold\u2019s situation, he will almost certainly begin the year as one of Detroit\u2019s top two corners opposite D.J. Reed.<\/p>\n Though he\u2019s become an oft-maligned figure within the Lions fanbase for some perceived struggles in man coverage and committing pass interference penalties, Arnold was showing signs<\/a> of improvement later in 2025 before a shoulder injury ended his season on Thanksgiving.<\/p>\n Reed, the Lions\u2019 big ticket free agent acquisition a year ago, will be back in 2026. Reed started 11 games for Detroit last year, missing significant time with a hamstring injury.\u00a0 He got off to a good start but didn\u2019t quite look the same after returning from the injury.<\/p>\n Reed allowed<\/a> 32 receptions on 56 targets, at 13.4 yards per catch and recorded two interceptions.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t the worst year considering the injuries he had to deal with. But Reed will turn 30 in November and it\u2019s worth wondering how much age and injuries will slow him down, especially since the name of his game is being a hard-nosed, physical man corner.<\/p>\n The Lions lost veteran nickel corner Amik Robertson in free agency to the Washington Commanders. Robertson was a fan-favorite who played bigger than his size and embodied the Lions\u2019 \u201cgrit\u201d culture they want to cultivate, but he struggled in the back half of 2025 and his exit was obvious considering the Lions have said they want to get younger<\/a> in 2026.<\/p>\n Enter Roger McCreary, the Lions\u2019 presumptive new starting nickel cornerback. Detroit signed him to a one-year deal after he spent 2025 with the Tennessee Titans before being traded to the Los Angeles Rams at the deadline.<\/p>\n McCreary fits what the Lions like<\/a> at that position, with strong press coverage skills and a knack for defending the run. He also spent significant time at outside cornerback for the Rams due to other injuries at the position, and though he didn\u2019t hold up too great, there is some versatility there. He\u2019s similar to Robertson in a lot of ways.<\/p>\n The Lions also brought back Rock Ya-Sin on a one-year, $4 million deal. He was signed last year to be a depth piece but wound up making six starts due to myriad injuries in the Lions\u2019 secondary. Ya-Sin played well as a spot starter and should once again be one of the best backup corners in football. The Lions did well to re-sign him.<\/p>\n Then there\u2019s the Ennis Rakestraw Jr. of it all. The Lions double-dipped at corner in the 2024 draft, picking Arnold in the first round and Rakestraw in the second out of Missouri. In college, Rakestraw was a physically imposing man corner who mugged wide receivers and played with a real mean streak. It\u2019s easy to see why Detroit liked him.<\/p>\n But Rakestraw\u2019s pro career hasn\u2019t really gotten off the ground. He only played in eight games as a rookie due to a hamstring issue and missed all of 2025 because of a shoulder injury in training camp.<\/p>\n