Detroit has built good depth at the cornerback position through draft selections and free-agent additions over the last couple seasons, but given the injury frequency of the position, Lions general manager Brad Holmes will always have an eye toward adding to the position if it also fits best player available when he's selecting.
Cornerback class draft strength: Talent and depth. There is top-end talent that could come off the board in the top 10 picks and depth that could provide starting caliber players well into Day 2 of the draft. Teams are always looking for versatile players in the secondary who can play several roles, and this looks to a be a strong class in that regard with high-IQ defenders with ball skills and the ability to play multiple positions inside or out wide.
View photos of the top cornerback prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Arizona State defensive back Keith Abney II (1) breaks up a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Arizona State defensive back Keith Abney II runs an agility drill during the school's NFL football Pro Day, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse (15) runs drills during the school's NFL football Pro Day, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (15) tackles during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
TCU safety Bud Clark (21) defends during an NCAA college football game against Colorado Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
TCU defensive back Bud Clark (33) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane (4) goes through workouts during their NFL football pro day, Monday, March 23, 2026, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane goes through workouts during their NFL football pro day, Monday, March 23, 2026, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Tennessee defensive back Colton Hood (8) breaks up a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee defensive back Colton Hood (14) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State defensive back Davison Igbinosun plays against Penn State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State connerback Davison Igbinosun, right, makes a catch during the school's NFL football Pro Day in Columbus, Ohio, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
San Diego State defensive back Chris Johnson (17) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) intercepts a pass in the end zone during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy runs a drill during the school's NFL football pro day Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Texas defensive back Malik Muhammad plays against Ohio State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Texas defensive back Malik Muhammad runs a position drill during the school's NFL football pro day, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)
Arkansas defensive back Julian Neal (23) runs a play against Arkansas State during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Little Rock, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Arkansas defensive back Julian Neal (24) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indiana defensive back D'Angelo Ponds (5) defensive during the first half of the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against Alabama Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Indiana defensive back D'Angelo Ponds (25) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Miami defensive back Keionte Scott (0) during the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal game against Mississippi, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Miami corner back Keionte Scott runs the 40 yard dash during the school's NFL Pro Day, Monday March 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin)
Arizona cornerback Treydan Stukes (2) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona defensive back Treydan Stukes (49) participates in the Broad Jump at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Indianapolis. (Gregory Payan/AP Content Services for NFL)
Clemson defensive back Avieon Terrell (31) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell (8) plays during an NCAA college football game between Clemson and Troy, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Lions cornerback depth chart: D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, Rock Ya-Sin, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Roger McCreary, Nick Whiteside, Khalil Dorsey
Lions cornerback draft priority: Lower end. If best player available happens to be a cornerback in the first couple of picks for Detroit, there's nothing wrong with adding talent and competition to an important position the Lions need more production from in 2026.
But this isn't a situation where Holmes and the team must come out of draft weekend adding to the numbers in the cornerback room to feel good about that spot. They have to like the experience and depth and the potential from players like Rakestraw, if he can stay healthy.
Five cornerbacks who could fit the Lions:
1. Mansoor Delane, LSU
6-0, 187. 4.38 seconds in 40-yard dash
Delane is a very disciplined cornerback with great instincts and a high football IQ. He has really good ball skills with 18 passes defended and six interceptions combined in 23 starts the last two seasons with Virginia Tech and LSU. He has the skillset to be an immediate starter on the outside with the ability to also play in the slot.
2. Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
6-1, 188. 4.38 seconds in 40-yard dash
McCoy missed 2025 because of a torn ACL but his 2024 tape was as good as any cornerback in the nation highlighted by four interceptions and 13 passes defended. McCoy still needs to hone his coverage skills, but his size, frame, and speed combination could be very intriguing to several teams. He also has the added ability to return punts and kicks.
3. Colton Hood, Tennessee
6-0, 193. 4.44 seconds in 40-yard dash
Hood is one of the more complete players at the position in the class from a man to zone coverage perspective and the ability to play both the pass and the run. He's a scrappy player who can play several different roles for a defense because of his skillset.
4. Avieon Terrell, Clemson
5-11, 186. 4.64 seconds in 40-yard dash
Terrell started 31 straight games to end his college career and recorded 23 passes defended and eight forced fumbles his last two seasons combined. His 40 time could be a concern for teams, but his lack of long speed didn't show up on tape. He ran 10.97 seconds in the 100 meters and 22.09 seconds in the 200 meters in high school.
5. Chris Johnson, San Diego State
6-0, 193. 4.4 seconds in 40-yard dash
Johnson was named the Mountain West Co-Defensive Player of the Year after recording 49 tackles, nine passes defended and four interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. Teams completed just 41.9 percent of the passes thrown his way as Johnson is sticky in both man and zone coverage.
