5 cornerbacks Detroit Lions could pursue after releasing Cam Sutton
The Detroit Lions added two new cornerbacks at the start of free agency, and they could be in the market for a third after they released Cam Sutton on Wednesday.
Here are five cornerbacks the Lions could pursue to fill their void in the secondary:
L'Jarius Sneed
The Kansas City Chiefs used the non-exclusive franchise tag on Sneed before the start of free agency, but are reportedly willing to trade their top cornerback. Sneed has been a solid performer throughout his career but is coming off his best season as a pro. He had two interceptions and 14 passes defensed last season while helping the Chiefs win the Super Bowl.
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Sneed would require a multi-year contract, and the Lions would have to give up high draft pick compensation in any trade. That might be a non-starter after trading a third-round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Carlton Davis III earlier this spring, but he fits what the Lions want in a cornerback and is the best player available at the position. The Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings are among teams reportedly interested in Sneed.
Marshon Lattimore
Lattimore has three years left on his contract with the New Orleans Saints, though Saints coach Dennis Allen left open the possibility of trading the cornerback at the NFL combine.
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"Lat’s a big part of our team,” Allen said, per Nola.com. “Right now.”
The Saints may not be able to trade Lattimore until later this spring for cap purposes, but if they're looking for takers there'd be a natural fit in Detroit. Lattimore played his first four NFL seasons under Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. He's missed 17 games the past two seasons because of injuries.
Xavien Howard
Howard is the most accomplished cornerback still available in free agency after he was released by the Miami Dolphins earlier this month. He's a four-time Pro Bowler who led the NFL with 10 interceptions in 2020, though his production has dipped recently.
Howard has been linked to the Houston Texans, though nothing appears imminent there. He turns 31 in July, so he's not a long-term answer at cornerback. But he'd give the Lions a good, quality starter opposite Davis for 2024.
Stephon Gilmore
Like Howard, Gilmore's best days as a cornerback are behind him, though he proved last season he still has plenty to give. He had two interceptions and 13 pass breakups in 17 games with the Dallas Cowboys in 2023, when he allowed completions on just 55.8% of the passes thrown his way, according to Pro Football Reference.
Gilmore won't require a long-term deal as he turns 34 in September, and the Lions could give him the chance to play with his brother, Steven, a backup who made the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent last year.
Adoree' Jackson
While Gilmore and Howard headline the over-30 crowd of free-agent cornerbacks, Jackson is one of a handful of slightly younger veterans still on the market along with Eli Apple (who also played for Glenn with the Saints) and Rock Ya-Sin. Jackson has the inside-outside versatility the Lions like, plus return ability, and played last season in a blitz-heavy scheme.
One other cornerback to note: If the Cleveland Browns truly are open to dealing one of their cornerbacks for cap reasons, as the Washington Post reported before free agency, Greg Newsome would make this list. Newsome is young (23) and coming off a two-interception season, though like Sneed, he would be costly to acquire and re-sign long-term.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 5 CBs Detroit Lions could pursue after releasing Cam Sutton
