Injuries were a big part of the story at the cornerback position for the Detroit Lions in 2025. D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw all missed considerable time as Detroit had eight different cornerbacks play on defense in at least eight games this past season.
Reed and Arnold both return under contract as the top duo on the outside, but it wouldn't be surprising if the Lions look to bring in competition either via free agency or the NFL Draft. Veteran Amik Robertson is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after spending the last two seasons as Detroit's primary slot corner with the versatility to slide outside when needed. Ideally Rakestraw, a 2024 second-round pick, would emerge in that role but he's played in just eight career games his first two seasons in the league due to injury.
It's about time the Lions had some injury luck at the position, but the last few seasons have proven having depth at cornerback is a must. Good thing this is a talented and deep class of cornerbacks. The Athletic's Dane Brugler lists 13 cornerbacks in his initial Top 100 players.
Top 5 cornerbacks to watch at the Combine:
1. Mansoor Delane, LSU, 6-0, 190
Delane is an instinctive and productive cornerback who can plug and play in any scheme. He plays bigger than his size and excels in man coverage. Defensive coordinators will love how physical he is and how he plays the run. He didn't allow a touchdown or record a penalty this past season.
View photos of the defensive back prospects who were invited to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
Oregon DB Jadon Canady (22)
South Carolina CB Brandon Cisse (15)
TCU S Bud Clark (21)
Washington CB Tacario Davis (8)
LSU CB Mansoor Delane (4)
Stephen F. Austin CB Charles Demmings (16)
North Carolina DB Thaddeus Dixon (1)
Ohio State S Caleb Downs (2)
Georgia DB Daylen Everette (6)
Southern California S Bishop Fitzgerald (19)
Toledo CB Andre Fuller (3)
Texas DB Jaylon Guilbeau (3)
Iowa DB TJ Hall (2)
Georgia Tech DB Ahmari Harvey (3)
LSU S A.J. Haulcy (13)
Tennessee CB Colton Hood (8)
Maryland DB Jalen Huskey (22)
Ohio State CB Davison Igbinosun (1)
Alabama DB Domani Jackson (1)
San Diego State CB Chris Johnson (1)
Arizona DB Dalton Johnson (43)
South Carolina S Jalon Kilgore (24)
Texas A&M CB Will Lee III (4)
California DB Hezekiah Masses (5)
Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy (3)
Houston DB Latrell McCutchin Sr. (1)
Toledo S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (7)
Florida CB Devin Moore (28)
Indiana DB Louis Moore (7)
SMU S Ahmaad Moses (3)
Texas CB Malik Muhammad (5)
Arkansas CB Julian Neal (23)
Iowa S Xavier Nwankpa (1)
Kansas State S VJ Payne (7)
Indiana CB D'Angelo Ponds (5)
Missouri CB Toriano Pride Jr. (2)
Washington CB Ephesians Prysock (7)
Southern California S Kamari Ramsey (7)
Duke CB Chandler Rivers (0)
Miami CB Keionte Scott (0)
Nebraska S DeShon Singleton (8)
Toledo CB Avery Smith (4)
Arizona DB Genesis Smith (12)
Oklahoma DB Robert Spears-Jennings (3)
Arizona DB Treydan Stukes (2)
Ohio State DB Lorenzo Styles (3)
Texas DB Michael Taaffe (16)
Clemson CB Avieon Terrell (8)
Oregon S Dillon Thieneman (31)
Miami DB Jakobe Thomas (8)
Penn State S Zakee Wheatley (6)
Stanford CB Collin Wright (6)
2. Jermod McCoy, Tennessee, 6-0, 193
He is coming off an ACL tear that prevented him from playing this past season so the medical evaluations will be important for him in Indianapolis, but his 2024 tape was terrific and has draft evaluators believing he can be a Day 1 impact starter in the NFL. He defended 16 passes and notched six interceptions combined in the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
3. Avieon Terrell, Clemson, 5-11, 180
The younger brother of Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell is a feisty cornerback who projects more inside in the slot as a physical corner who can play the run and blitz. He defended 21 passes and recorded eight forced fumbles the last two seasons for the Tigers.
4. Colton Hood, Tennessee, 5-11, 188
Hood checks the boxes in terms of his ability to play press man and zone coverage, but the most impressive aspect of his game might be his physicality in the run game. Coaches are going to love that about him. Hood is a player with a lot of upside.
5. Brandon Cisse, South Carolina, 6-0, 190
His elite speed is one of his best assets and he'll likely climb some draft boards coming out of the Combine. He still needs to fine-tune his technique and could stand to be a little bit more physical, but he might have the most upside of any player at the position in this class due to his speed and athleticism.
Combine sleeper to watch: D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana, 5-9, 170
Some teams might harp on his lack of ideal size, but Ponds plays a bigger brand of football than his 5-foot-9 frame might indicate. He's quick, twitchy and plays confident with a track record of production – 118 tackles, five interceptions and 20 passes defended the last two seasons combined for the Hoosiers.
View photos of Detroit Lions players at the NFL Scouting Combine.
California quarterback Jared Goff runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Iowa State running back David Montgomery runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State offensive lineman Taylor Decker runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UTSA defensive lineman Marcus Davenport runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Temple defensive back Rock Ya-Sin runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kansas State defensive back D.J. Reed runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Monday, March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Florida linebacker Alex Anzalone runs a drill during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, March 5, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
LSU defensive back Jalen Mills runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia wide receiver Dominic Lovett runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
LSU offensive lineman Miles Frazier runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia wide receiver Dominic Lovett runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida linebacker Alex Anzalone runs the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, March 5, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Michigan offensive lineman Graham Glasgow runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Boston College offensive lineman Christian Mahogany runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Missouri defensive back Ennis Rakestraw Jr. runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Alabama defensive back Terrion Arnold runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Utah defensive back Sione Vaki runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama defensive back Terrion Arnold runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
LSU defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Iowa tight end Sam Laporta runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama defensive back Brian Branch runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo Erin Hooley)
Mississippi State linebacker Tyrus Wheat runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (31) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Oklahoma State defensive lineman Tyler Lacy runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Illinois defensive back Kerby Joseph runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Michigan defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (31) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Oklahoma State linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (28) participates in the broad jump at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Auburn defensive back Daniel Thomas runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa State running back David Montgomery runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Pittsburgh defensive back Avonte Maddox participates in the Broad Jump at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Monday, March 5, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
UTSA defensive lineman Marcus Davenport runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Memphis defensive back Arthur Maulet runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
California quarterback Jared Goff runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Miami defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Sunday, March 5, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Lions' need at the position: Moderate.
There are two key factors that will really determine Detroit's need at cornerback heading into the draft. Does Detroit believe Arnold can hold up to the physical nature of the position and be a solid No. 2 cornerback in this league? Can Rakestraw get past the injuries that have plagued him his first two years and be a solid contributor?
Reed returns as Detroit's CB1 and was a good scheme fit despite missing six games with a hamstring injury. Opposing quarterbacks had just a 72.8 passer rating with one touchdown when throwing his way this past season.
It wouldn't be surprising if the team also tries to re-sign veteran cornerback Rock Ya-Sin, who turned out to be a great scheme fit.
Key stat: Detroit's 93 passes defended this past season ranked fourth behind only Jacksonville (107), Seattle (96) and Denver (94). The Lions recorded the fewest missed tackles in the NFL in 2025 with just 133. New England was second on the list with 148.
