5 free agent cornerback options for the Detroit Lions

We’re far from knowing how the Terrion Arnold legal saga will end, but as Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes said this offseason on the Lions Collective podcast, sometimes it’s the job of an NFL team to be prepared for the worst.
“I’m just more of a, let’s call it a pessimistic planner in terms of I just like to prepare myself for that,” Holmes said, responding to a question specifically about Arnold’s situation. “I’m not saying that something’s going to come out the worst, but that’s how I prepare in all situations. But I always hope for the best, as well. That’s kind of my way of saying that we look at every single avenue, every single possible outcome, and make sure that we’re prepared.”
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Whether Holmes properly planned for Arnold’s arrest is debatable, but as I see the roster right now, Detroit could certainly use some help at cornerback. We’ve already discussed the internal options to replace Arnold in the starting lineup, but even if someone like Rock Ya-Sin or Ennis Rakestraw steps up, it leaves the Lions’ perilously thin in case of injury.
So let’s look at some free agency options out there Detroit could still pursue to bolster their corner room.
Diggs’ start of his career was phenomenal, earning two Pro Bowls, an All-Pro, and an interception title in just the first three years of his career. That earned him a huge five-year, $97 million extension in 2023. Admittedly, his career has been on the downswing since then.
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He tore his ACL later that year, had his season cut short due to surgery on the same leg in 2024, and then publicly clashed with Cowboys the next season while dealing with concussions and inconsistent play. He was unceremoniously released mid-season in 2025, and had a brief, inconsequential stint with the Packers.
It’s been a few years since Diggs’ play was at an acceptable level, but if he’s truly past his injuries and finds a comfortable home, he’s a big, physical corner who fits in Detroit’s press-man scheme.
Moore turns 31 in a couple months, but he would come to Detroit with nine years and 111 starts of experience. Last year was his first season since his rookie year that he didn’t start at least 11 games (he started seven).
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Moore is a bit undersized (5-foot-9), but he has the tenacious playing style Detroit admires. He’s an elite run defender, posting an 84.4 PFF run defense grade last year. His coverage skills are still decent, as he’s tallied seven interceptions and 19 passes defended over the last three seasons.
Now, Moore has mostly been relegated to the slot recently in his career, but he has plenty of experience on the outside. Adding Moore would give Detroit options much like Amik Robertson did last year. The Lions could keep him on the inside and move someone like Roger McCreary to the outside or flip the two. Or, as the Colts used him at times, Detroit could have Moore on the outside on base sets and slide him inside when they play nickel.
Regardless, Moore wants to play for a contender after asking for his release from the Colts earlier this offseason, and there’s a lot of reason to like the pairing to Detroit. This is my favorite option for Detroit, even though Moore isn’t a pure outside cornerback.
Douglas, too, is a nine-year NFL veteran. He’s coming off a strong year where he produced a 13 passes defended, two interceptions, 62 tackles, and a PFF grade of 72.7 in 13 starts for the Dolphins.
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Douglas would bring some much-needed size (6-foot-2, 209) to Detroit’s secondary, although his schematic fit is far from perfect. Tackling certainly isn’t his strong suit, and he’s more comfortable in zone than man. That said, he’s been around enough (played for five different teams) where he’s seen every scheme and coverage style. Having that veteran presence would be valuable.
Four years into White’s career, there was an easy argument to make he was the best cornerback in the league. That was unfortunately way back in 2020. Since then, he’s suffered a litany of injuries that have derailed his career, including a torn ACL in 2021 and a torn achilles in 2023.
But a full year removed from his torn Achilles, White had a respectable year with the Bills in 2025. He started all 16 games, produced 10 passes defended, and a 64.2 PFF grade. He only got better as the season went on, posting a PFF grade of 90.4 from Week 15 to the divisional round of the playoffs–second best of any cornerback over that span.
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Okay, I’m cheating here, as Ward is not a free agent. But if the Lions wanted to make a no-nonsense move that would really move the needle, trading for Ward is likely the best option.
There’s been a lot of noise about Ward being traded out of Cleveland, particularly after the Myles Garrett trade. While Ward has publicly said he has no desire to be traded, it may make sense for a Browns team seeking a youth movement to send the 29-year-old cornerback packing for valuable draft resources with only two expensive years remaining on his contract.
Ward is a five-time Pro Bowler whose not coming off his best year in Cleveland, but had previously produced seven straight seasons of at least 10 pass breakups, including a league-leading 19 in 2024.
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But attaining him would likely cost the Lions at least a Day 2 pick, and they’d have to do some salary cap gymnastics to fit his $17.9 million salary on their books. It would be a pricey move, but it’s an aggressive option that would certainly appease fans hoping for more urgency from the front office.
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