This year's class of cornerbacks is a good group with top-end talent and depth. Cornerback-needy teams will find really good starting-caliber cornerbacks well into Day 2 of this year's NFL Draft.
There are seven cornerbacks among NFL.com draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah's initial list of the Top 50 players in this class.
The Lions certainly have a need at cornerback as they look to improve the talent level and competition in that room this offseason. Veteran Cam Sutton played pretty well most of the season but struggled a bit down the stretch when matched up with some of the game's top receivers. Brian Branch had a terrific rookie season and is cemented in the slot. Kindle Vildor was Detroit's No. 2 cornerback the second half of the season and in the playoffs but he's a free agent, and so is Emmanuel Moseley, who tore an ACL in his only game played with the Lions this season.
Detroit should be on the lookout for a starter opposite Sutton and to improve their depth in that room.
Top 5 cornerbacks to watch at the Combine:
1. Terrion Arnold, Alabama, 6-0, 196
A terrific man-cover corner with good athletic traits and ball production. Teams will like his ability to play both outside and inside at this level. He's a very good tackler and the ball production really stands out – five interceptions and 12 passes defended in 2023.
View photos of the defensive back prospects who were invited to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.
Missouri cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine (7) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023 in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Colin E Braley)
Mississippi safety Daijahn Anthony (3) hits Penn State tight end Khalil Dinkins (16) during the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Alabama defensive back Terrion Arnold (3) defends Mississippi State wide receiver Jaden Walley (11) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. Alabama won 40-17. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Utah safety Cole Bishop (8) battles with UCLA wide receiver Logan Loya (17) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Maryland defensive back Beau Brade lines up against Towson in the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark)
TCU safety Millard Bradford (28) runs with the ball after intercepting a pass intended for Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Louisville defensive back Jarvis Brownlee Jr. in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the Indiana, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Georgia defensive back Javon Bullard (22) defends during the first half of an NCAA football game against Auburn on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Southern California safety Calen Bullock (7) runs during an NCAA football game against San Jose State on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Missouri defensive back Jaylon Carlies (1) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Wake Forest defensive back Caelen Carson (1) plays against Clemson during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Oregon State defensive back Ryan Cooper Jr. (1) defends against UC Davis wide receiver Chaz Davis (4) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Corvallis, Ore. Oregon State won 55-7. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Purdue tight end Garrett Miller (88) pursues Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) as he runs with an interception during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Cliff Jette)
Pittsburgh defensive back M.J. Devonshire (12) breaks up a pass intended for Florida State wide receiver Destyn Hill (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
South Carolina defensive back Marcellas Dial (6) breaks up a pass to Mississippi State wide receiver Zavion Thomas (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.)
Penn State defensive back Johnny Dixon, left, breaks up a pass intended for Ohio State receiver Julian Fleming during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
National defensive back Willie Drew of Virginia St runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Florida State defensive back Renardo Green (8) reacts during the second half of an NCAA football game against the Boston College Eagles on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Chestnut Hill, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
Tennessee defensive back Kamal Hadden (5) prepares to defend during an NCAA football game against Austin Peay on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Washington cornerback Dominique Hampton (7) breaks up a pass intended for Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson (3) during the second half of the Pac-12 championship NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Kansas State wide receiver Malik Knowles (4) is tackled by South Dakota defensive back Myles Harden (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Penn State cornerback Daequan Hardy against Maryland during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Notre Dame's Cam Hart (5) defends during an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Washington State defensive back Jaden Hicks (25) takes his stance during an NCAA football game against UCLA on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Oregon defensive back Khyree Jackson (5) plays during an NCAA football game against Colorado, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Eugene, Ore. Oregon won 42-6. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Auburn cornerback D.J. James lines up for a play during the first half an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
American defensive back Carlton Johnson of Fresno State (11) during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
East's Isaiah Johnson, of Syracuse, lines up during the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Boston College defensive back Elijah Jones (1) celebrates his interception against Georgia Tech during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Atlanta. Boston College won 38-23. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Florida State defensive back Jarrian Jones (7) follows a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Alabama defensive back Jaylen Key (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Miami's Kamren Kinchens during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)
Penn State cornerback Kalen King plays during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Georgia defensive back Kamari Lassiter (3) plays against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Arkansas defensive back Dwight McGlothern (3) against Missouri State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods, File)
Alabama defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (1) awaits the snap during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Michelle Haas Hutchins)
Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin, third from left, is brought down by California defensive back Patrick McMorris, center, during the second half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Rutgers defensive back Max Melton plays against Michigan in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (27) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Muncie, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Wake Forest defensive back Malik Mustapha (3) plays against Clemson during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
TCU cornerback Josh Newton drops back to defend during the second half of an NCAA college football game between TCU and Texas, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. Texas won 29-26. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Minnesota defensive back Tyler Nubin (27) in action during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Oregon State defensive back Kitan Oladapo (28) reacts during an NCAA college football game against UCLA Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Corvallis, Ore. Oregon State won 36-24. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Texas Tech's Tyler Owens (18) in action against West Virginia during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Morgantown, W. Va. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Kentucky defensive back Andru Phillips (23) plays against Vanderbilt in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Mississippi defensive back Deantre Prince (7) lines up LSU during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Auburn cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (1) plays against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Ohio State safety Josh Proctor (41) defends against Minnesota in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Minneapolis. Ohio State won 45-31. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Florida running back Montrell Johnson Jr., right, tries to get past Missouri defensive back Ennis Rakestraw Jr. during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Mississippi State cornerback Decamerion Richardson (3) during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Texas A&M's Demani Richardson during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)
Southern California cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace takes his stance during an NCAA football game against San Jose State on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Michigan defensive back Mike Sainristil intercepts a pass intended for Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan during the second half of the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
LSU safety Andre' Sam (14) during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Auburn cornerback Jaylin Simpson (36) plays against Vanderbilt in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Georgia defensive back Tykee Smith (23) makes an interception against Vanderbilt wide receiver Junior Sherrill, right, in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Washington State defensive back Chau Smith-Wade lines up for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northern Colorado, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Maryland defensive back Tarheeb Still pushes Rutgers wide receiver Isaiah Washington out of bounds in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Iowa State defensive back T.J. Tampa (2) gets set for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Texas Tech defensive back Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (1) celebrates after intercepting a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E Braley)
Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze, left, watches as Arizona State defensive back Ro Torrence (9) makes an interception during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Utah safety Sione Vaki (28) watches the opposing wide receiver during an NCAA football game on Thursday, August 31, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)
Michigan defensive back Josh Wallace (12) plays against East Carolina in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Texas defensive back Ryan Watts (6) dives to tackle Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) looks on against North Carolina during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (5) is tackled by Oregon defensive back Evan Williams, front right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Mark Ylen)
Florida State tight end Markeston Douglas (85) is tackled by Miami safety James Williams (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)
2. Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo, 6-0, 196
Mitchell plays much bigger because of his strong frame. He's got a nice mix of traits and most analysts who really studied him especially like his off-man presence. He recorded five interceptions in 2022 with two pick-sixes. He's defended an amazing 37 passes the last two seasons combined.
3. Cooper DeJean, Iowa, 6-1, 205
A versatile defender with terrific size, speed, and ball production. He had five interceptions and three pick-sixes in 2022. DeJean also has the size, instincts and tackling ability to potentially shift over and play some safety. He's a versatile defender in the right scheme.
4. Nate Wiggins, Clemson, 6-2, 185
Teams are going to love the size and cover ability with Wiggins. He's pretty scheme-versatile with his frame and skillset. He'll have to prove to teams he can be more physical in the run game, however.
5. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri, 6-0, 188
He only intercepted one pass in college, which could be a concern for some teams, but he is very sticky in coverage. He plays with high energy and is physical supporting the run.
Combine sleeper to watch: Mike Sainristil, Michigan, 5-10, 182
Sainristil is a little undersized, but he plays much bigger than his frame. The former-receiver-turned-cornerback has terrific hands and recorded six interceptions for the Wolverines in their National Championship run in 2023. He's an experienced player with a really high ceiling.
Lions' need at the position: High
Detroit's top two cornerbacks, Branch and Sutton, return in 2024, but Moseley, Vildor, Jerry Jacobs, Will Harris and Khalil Dorsey will be heading toward various forms of free agency.
Detroit finished the season 23rd in points allowed, 19th in total defense and 27th against the pass. They were No. 2 against the run, however, and any cornerback they add will have to be strong in that department. The Lions defense allowed the fourth most passing yards in the NFL this season and were 31st in yards per attempt and yards per completion allowed.
Key stat: The Lions allowed the most 20-plus-yard completions in the NFL this season (69).
