Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes has really gone to work the last couple offseasons revamping and reshaping Detroit's cornerback room.
Spending a first and second-round draft pick last year on cornerbacks and then adding a bunch of veteran depth in free agency this offseason, the Lions have a pretty deep CB room they should feel pretty good about.
That certainly doesn't mean Holmes shouldn't look to keep adding to the group if the right prospect comes along at one of their draft slots. Cornerback typically has the highest injury rate among NFL position groups and a team's depth is usually challenged there by the end of the season, which was certainly the case in Detroit last year.
Cornerback class draft strength: Top end talent. Travis Hunter, Will Johnson and Jahdae Baron have a chance to all be Top 20 picks and all three have the potential to be immediate impact starters. It's not as deep a cornerback class overall as we've seen in past years, but it's a solid group.
Lions cornerback depth chart: Terrion Arnold, D.J. Reed, Amik Robertson, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Khalil Dorsey, Avonte Maddox, Rock Ya-Sin, Stantley Thomas-Oliver
View photos of the top cornerback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Mississippi cornerback Trey Amos (9) follows a play against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Mississippi defensive back Trey Amos runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron (7) celebrates after making a big tackle against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kentucky defensive back Maxwell Hairston (31) celebrates after returning an interception for a touchdown against Vanderbilt in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Kentucky defensive back Maxwell Hairston (1) attempts to tackle Texas wide receiver Ryan Wingo (5) after a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) runs for a first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) takes part in passing drills during Colorado's NFL football pro day Friday, April 4, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
North Carolina's Alijah Huzzie (28) covers on defense during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Durham, N.C. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
The bench celebrates as North Carolina defensive back Alijah Huzzie (28) evades the last Georgia Tech defender as he runs a punt back for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Michigan defensive back Will Johnson (2) plays during the NCAA college football team's spring game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Michigan defensive back Will Johnson (2) plays against Southern California in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Notre Dame defensive back Benjamin Morrison (20) celebrates while wearing a Play Like a Champion Today backplate during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisville Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame defensive back Benjamin Morrison (20) celebrates an interception that was called back due to a flag during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Stanford, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Kansas State cornerback Jacob Parrish (10) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Kansas State defensive back Jacob Parrish runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Iowa State defensive back Darien Porter (10) gets set for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa State won 20-19. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa State defensive back Darien Porter runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
East Carolina defensive back Shavon Revel Jr. speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Louisville defensive back Quincy Riley (3) plays against Clemson during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Louisville defensive back Quincy Riley runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Florida State defensive back Azareye'h Thomas (20) sets up for 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)
Florida State defensive back Azareye'h Thomas runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
California's Nohl Williams (3) runs with the ball after an interception during the first half of an NCAA football game against Auburn on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
California defensive back Nohl Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Lions cornerback draft priority: Low. Detroit has a good mix of young and veteran talent at cornerback but Holmes drafts on talent and not need. He doesn't mind loading up at a position if it means he's drafting the best football player on his draft board when he's on the clock. He wants great players and the playing roles and roster depth will figure itself out in camp. There's no such thing as too much depth, especially at cornerback.
Five cornerbacks who could fit the Lions:
1. Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
5-11, 183. 4.28 40-yard dash
Hairston concluded his collegiate career with 20 career starts, totaling 10 pass breakups, six interceptions and three forced fumbles. He tied the school record with three interceptions returned for touchdowns. He's got great speed and can play in a range of different coverage schemes, but can he hold up against the run with his frame? That's the only real question mark surrounding his game.
2. Azareye'h Thomas, Florida State
6-1 1/2, 197. 4.58 40-yard dash (pro day)
Thomas isn't a burner, but he's got the frame and arm length teams love at the position. He's a press-man corner that does most of his best work at the line of scrimmage. He uses his length really well and that covers up some of the concern about his long speed.
3. Trey Amos, Mississippi
6-1, 195. 4.43 40-yard dash
Amos has a long frame and good speed and uses them well as a primarily press-man corner. He can play multiple coverages and shows good instincts when asked to play zone. He had three interceptions last season to go along with 13 passes defended. That's great ball production against SEC competition.
4. Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina
6-2, 194. Did not run 40-yard dash
Big. Long. Athletic. Explosive. He's got a terrific blend of long frame, speed and athletic traits NFL teams are going love. He's coming off a torn ACL but should be ready for full participation in the summer. He's got all the intangibles to be an early contributor and good special teams player.
5. Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
6-0, 193. Did not run 40-yard dash
Morrison missed most of last season with a hip injury and is expected to host a pro day for teams at his former high school in Arizona mid-April. The ball production really stands out with Morrison, who had six interceptions as a true freshman in 2022 and three more in 2023 to total nine in 31 games played.
