It hasn’t been because of a lack of trying. The Detroit Lions have tried plenty of different ways to improve their secondary under head coach Dan Campbell.
But the unit needs more fixing.
This week, Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker suggested the Lions try free agency again. When tasked with naming one free agent the Lions should target in March, Locker picked cornerback Roger McCreary.
“As the Lions head into an offseason of critical reflection, they’ll likely lament what’s happened to the state of their cornerback room by the end of the last two seasons. Although significant investments have been made, more is needed, especially on the inside with Amik Robertson no longer under contract,” wrote Locker.
“McCreary represents a younger upgrade at slot corner. The 25-year-old owns a 70.0 overall PFF grade throughout his four-year career, including a 68.7 PFF coverage mark. After joining the Rams midseason, McCreary notched a 79.4 coverage grade, and his 6.9 snaps per target tied for fourth among slot corners. The former second-round pick could bring inside-outside versatility with starting upside to Detroit’s corner room.”
The Tennessee Titans selected McCreary at No. 35 overall during the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He finished his rookie contract with the Los Angeles Rams after the Titans dealt him at the 2025 NFL trade deadline.
In 14 games during 2025, McCreary posted 37 combined tackles with two pass defenses, one interception and one sack.
Lions Secondary Record Under Dan Campbell
Detroit’s pass defense has been a problem throughout Campbell’s tenure with the Lions. That was true even when the team dominated the league from 2023-24.
In 2025, the Lions pass defense actually improved. Yet, they still finished 20th in the league in passing yards allowed.
During 2024, the Lions yielded the second-fewest passing yards in the league. But they were 30th in passing yards allowed.
Over five years, the best Campbell’s defense has finished in passing yards allowed was 20th.
In McCreary, the Lions would be adding a cornerback who only earned three starts during 2025. McCreary has started fewer games every season than the one before in his NFL career.
But he only turns 26 in February. Locker seems to see McCreary’s upside as an attractive asset for Detroit.
Lions CB Depth Entering 2026 Season
Locker mentioned veteran cornerback Amik Robertson being a free agent. The Lions are also set to lose five other cornerbacks in free agency — Avonte Maddox, Arthur Maulet, Jalen Mills, Rock Ya-Sin and Dicaprio Bottle.
Those cornerbacks aren’t exactly household names. But because of injuries, Robertson and Ya-Sin led all Lions outside cornerbacks in defensive snaps last season.
From 2023-24, the Lions selected three defensive backs in the first two rounds of the draft. All three of them remain under contract, including Brian Branch, who is arguably Detroit’s top player in the secondary.
But the other two cornerbacks from the 2024 class — Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw — have underperformed, in large part because of injuries. Rakestraw didn’t play at all last year because of a shoulder injury during training camp.
The upside of these three players is very high. But the Lions would be wise to add quality, veteran depth at cornerback in case more injury problems arise like 2025.
McCreary has started 38 games in his NFL career. In 61 contests overall, he has posted 257 combined tackles, including 22 tackles for loss. He has also registered 17 pass defenses and three interceptions.
Lions Urged to Target ‘Younger Upgrade’ to Fix Long-Time Dan Campbell Weakness