Cornerback is one of those positions in the NFL where teams feel they can never have enough good ones. It's a lot like edge rushers.
This year's NFL Draft class of cornerbacks is deep and versatile with both high end talent and depth. The Detroit Lions addressed the position via trade, free agency signings and re-signings this offseason and feel pretty good about the depth they've built, but they are still looking to add competition.
"Certainly, there are still some guys we are looking at in free agency that can bring in some competition," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said last week at Annual League Meetings. "That may or may not be done before the draft."
Cornerback class draft strength: Depth. NFL media analyst Daniel Jeremiah lists two cornerbacks among his Top 13 players and seven cornerbacks total in his latest Top 50 draft prospects ranking.
Lions cornerback depth chart: Carlton Davis, Amik Robertson, Brian Branch, Emmanuel Moseley, Khalil Dorsey, Steven Gilmore, Craig James.
Lions cornerback draft priority: Moderate. Davis, Robertson and Branch will likely start camp as the top three with Moseley set to compete for a spot as soon as he's medically cleared from a torn ACL suffered just two plays into his season last year. Gilmore had a good camp last season and will look to take the next step in his development in Year 2.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes has selected a cornerback in each of his first three drafts in Detroit and it's likely he keeps that streak alive as he tries to build more depth at the position heading into 2024.
View photos of the top cornerback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Missouri cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine (7) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023 in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Colin E Braley)
Missouri defensive back Kris Abrams-Draine (7) takes up his position during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Columbia, Mo. Missouri won 36-7. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
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)
Alabama defensive back Terrion Arnold (3) intercepts the ball on an NCAA college football game's final play, sealing a win over Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. Alabama defensive back Malachi Moore (13) looks on. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) returns a punt during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Western Michigan, Sept. 16, 2023, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, file)
Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) gets set for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
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)
Notre Dame's Cam Hart (5) waits for the snap against North Carolina State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
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)
Boston College defensive back Elijah Jones runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
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)
Georgia defensive back Kamari Lassiter runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
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)
Alabama defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (1) sets up for a play against Mississippi during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
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)
Rutgers defensive back Max Melton runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (27) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Muncie, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Toledo defensive back Quinyon Mitchell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kentucky defensive back Andru Phillips (23) tackles Akron wide receiver Jasaiah Gathings (14) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Michelle Haas Hutchins)
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)
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)
Missouri's Ennis Rakestraw Jr., left, and Jayden Jernigan (0) celebrate a defensive stop against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
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)
Iowa State defensive back T.J. Tampa (2) runs up field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa won 20-13. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) defends against Georgia Tech wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. (13) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) looks on against Florida State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Five cornerbacks who could fit the Lions:
1. Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
6-0, 195. 4.33 40-yard dash.
Mitchell has all the tools to be a CB1 in the NFL. His size, speed and ball skills show up all over his tape. His 46 career pass breakups are a Toledo school record. He can play in any scheme and was the best cornerback at the Senior Bowl and Combine this offseason.
2. Terrion Arnold, Alabama
6-0, 189. 4.5 40-yard dash.
A terrific man-cover corner with a versatile skillset and history of ball production. He recorded five interceptions and defended 12 passes last season. Opponents had a passer rating of just 50.7 throwing Arnold's way last season.
3. Cooper DeJean, Iowa
6-0, 203. No 40 time.
DeJean is a rare athlete who can play on the outside, in the slot, at safety and also return kicks. He was the Big Ten defensive back of the year and returner of the year last season. He snagged seven interceptions and averaged 13.1 yards per punt return over the last two seasons combined. Teams are going to love his athleticism and position versatility.
4. Nate Wiggins, Clemson
6-1, 173. 4.28 40-yard dash.
A long and tall cornerback with terrific speed and athletic traits. He's got room to put on muscle, which the NFL game will require of him. His cover skills look effortless, and he has a chance to be a really good starter Day 1. Opposing quarterbacks had a 44.1 passer rating when throwing at Wiggins last season.
View photos of NFL prospect Nate Wiggins.
Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) plays against Notre Dame during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
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)
Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) defends Miami wide receiver Colbie Young during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) plays against Georgia Tech during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins returns an interception for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida Atlantic Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) defends Miami wide receiver Colbie Young (4) as Young drops the football during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) looks on during an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson defensive back Nate Wiggins runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) celebrates after a sack during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Charleston Southern on Saturday, Sep. 9, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) plays against Florida Atlantic during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sep. 16, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) looks on against Florida State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) breaks up a pass intended for Miami wide receiver Isaiah Horton (16) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins (20) returns an interception for a touchdown in the second half during the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game against North Carolina on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson's Nate Wiggins (20) defends during the first half of an NCAA football game against Georgia Tech on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
A pass intended for Boston College's Jaden Williams is disrupted by Clemson's Nate Wiggins (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
5. Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
5-11, 199. 4.47 40-yard dash (pro day).
One of the nation's top cornerbacks last year who also contributed at punt returner. He was a three-year starter for Nick Saban at Alabama, which speaks volumes of his football IQ and ability. He's a really smart cornerback who can play in any defensive scheme.
Sleeper: Khyree Jackson, Oregon
6-4, 194. 4.5 40-yard dash.
Terrific size, length and strength on the outside with good athletic traits to boot. He's a little raw after starting just 14 games in college, but that means he's got a high ceiling. He's got cornerback skills but the size and play mentality of a safety.
