The good: After losing veteran Carlton Davis III in free agency to New England, Lions general manager Brad Holmes knew one of his biggest priorities last offseason was filling the void of the No. 1 cornerback spot and he did so by signing veteran D.J. Reed to a three-year contract.

Reed was Detroit's most consistent player at the position in 2025 despite missing six games in the middle of the season due to a hamstring injury. Opposing quarterbacks completed 57.1 percent of their passes thrown Reed's way for a 72.8 passer rating as Reed allowed just one touchdown in his coverage area all season and was second on the team with two interceptions.

Because of the Reed injury and second-year cornerback Terrion Arnold also missing nine games due to injury, Detroit relied heavily on veteran Amik Robertson to play a versatile role both inside and outside in Kelvin Sheppard's defense. Robertson (5-9, 183) is most comfortable playing in the slot but has always done whatever the Lions need of him. His versatility has been big for this defense the last two seasons. He forced two fumbles and had an interception this season while recording 52 tackles.

Detroit's defense overall was one of the better tackling units in the league and the ability of their corners to play the run and tackle in space plays a role in that. Detroit allowed the second fewest yards after the catch in 2025.

Veteran cornerback Rock-Ya Sin proved to be a savvy free agent signing last offseason as he ended up playing in 17 games with six starts giving up just one touchdown in his coverage area with a 51.9 completion percentage and a 74.7 passer rating against.

The bad: After a strong offseason and training camp, the Lions had high hopes for Arnold entering his second season following an up-and-down rookie year in 2024.

Opponent completion percentage when targeting him went up from 55.6 in 2024 to 62.8 this season while opponent passer rating when throwing his way increased from 93.7 as a rookie to 101.5 last year. Arnold ended up playing in just eight games this season because of injury while allowing three touchdowns. Detroit's hoping for a bounce-back season from him in his third season in 2026.

It was another lost season for 2024 second-round pick Ennis Rakestraw Jr. as he went out in training camp with a shoulder injury. Rakestraw was set to take on a bigger role this upcoming season after being limited to eight games as a rookie while dealing with a hamstring injury. It will be a critical third season for Rakestraw to prove he can stay healthy and be available in 2026.

The Lions gave up the fourth most completions of 20-plus yards this season with 58. Only Baltimore (64), Chicago (61) and Cincinnati (60) allowed more.

Detroit's red zone passing defense took a dip in 2025. Opposing passers had a 104.3 passer rating inside the red zone with 19 touchdowns and zero interceptions with a 56.8 completion percentage. That was an area Detroit's defense excelled at in 2024 as they forced opposing quarterbacks into a league-low 72.9 rating in the red zone with 13 touchdowns and three interceptions and a 39.3 completion percentage. They'll be looking to get back closer to those red zone numbers next season.

Key stat: Detroit was 1-5 this season when they didn't record a takeaway in a game. They were 3-3 when getting at least one, 2-0 when getting two and 3-0 when recording three or more. They were 2-6 in games they didn't record an interception, 4-2 when getting at least one, 2-0 when recording two and 1-0 with three plus.

Free agents: Arthur Maulet (unrestricted), Robertson (unrestricted), Ya-Sin (unrestricted)

Robertson, 27, is open to re-signing with the Lions this offseason but will look and see what other opportunities might be out there for him. He's been a team player in Detroit playing a lot out at outside cornerback. He's a slot cornerback at heart and feels he's at his best playing that role.

Ya-Sin turns 30 in May but is arguably playing the best football of his career. He was a terrific depth player for Detroit with the ability to step in start and make plays. A return in 2026 would make a lot of sense for both parties as he could have a chance to compete for playing time in a familiar system in Detroit in 2026.

If Holmes wants to bolster the position via free agency, this is a good year to do it with a nice class of experienced cornerbacks scheduled to hit the free agent market that could include Tariq Woolen (Seattle), Alontae Taylor (New Orleans), Jaylen Watson (Kansas City), Nahshon Wright (Chicago) and Jamel Dean (Tampa Bay).

Draft: With question marks still surrounding 2024 first and second-round picks Arnold and Rakestraw, I wouldn't be surprised if Holmes looks to add a youngster to the mix via the NFL Draft. Delane Mansoor (LSU), Jermod McCoy (Tennessee), D'Angelo Ponds (Indiana), Avieon Terrell (Clemson), Brandon Cisse (South Carolina), Colton Hood (Tennessee) and Domani Jackson (Alabama) could be some names to consider in the first couple days of the draft.

Quotable: "I think I've adapted and molded and I fit great here," Robertson said after the season. "I was able to grow here. Had to step outside my comfort zone a lot to become a player I didn't think I could be. I've had talks and the door isn't closed. I want to be back. I do. I very much do, because I've never been around an organization from top down that you look forward to coming to work every day. Some people call in a job, man, but it doesn't feel like it. Here it just feels like a dream. The door is not closed."