The Detroit Lions have yet to discover a long-term solution at cornerback. But this offseason, the organization could find one at least for the time being in veteran Jamel Dean.
That’s what NFL insider Greg Auman projected to happen in his 2026 NFL free agency primer released on February 11.
Auman predicted the Lions to sign Dean this March.
“Dean, 29, had one of the league’s more remarkable seasons, agreeing to an $8 million pay cut to stay in Tampa, then having a huge season with three interceptions and two forced fumbles,” Auman wrote. “Pro Football Focus loves him, rating him as the NFL’s No. 5 cornerback for 2025 and ranking him as the No. 5 overall free agent at any position.
“He could draw his old Bucs salary of $12 million a year as a free agent, but he’s only played for Todd Bowles in Tampa and likes it there, so there’s no telling what he’ll do.”
Dean is coming off a very strong seventh season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He posted nine pass defenses with three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Dean also had 46 combined tackles with two quarterback hits and two forced fumbles.
Among cornerbacks who played at least 50% of his team’s defensive snaps, Dean finished with the fourth-best PFF player grade.
PFF has Dean ranked as the best available free agent cornerback for the upcoming offseason.
Could Lions Add Another Buccaneers CB in Jamel Dean?
This offseason wouldn’t be the first time the Lions pursue a Buccaneers cornerback. Two offseason ago, Detroit acquired cornerback Carlton Davis from Tampa Bay.
Davis played well for the Lions until he sustained a season-ending injury in December 2024. He started 13 games, posting 56 combined tackles with 11 pass defenses and two interceptions.
Dean would be a longer solution, though, than Davis was. Davis had just a year remaining on his contract when the Lions acquired him. He left in free agency to sign with the New England Patriots last year.
Like Davis, Dean won the Super Bowl with the Buccaneers during the 2020 campaign. Davis wasn’t a regular starter in 2020, but he’s started at least 11 games each of the past five years.
Since 2022, Dean has started every NFL game in which he’s played.
As Davis was two years ago, Dean would immediately step into Detroit as a starter on Day 1. His presence could begin to settle the Lions rocky cornerback situation.
Along with the Davis trade two years ago, the Lions added Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw in the 2024 NFL Draft. In large part because of injuries, both young cornerbacks have failed to live up to their draft expectations.
Lions CB Depth Entering 2026 Offseason
Whether it’s with Dean or not, the Lions should address cornerback this offseason.
Veteran cornerbacks Amik Robertson, Rock Ya-Sin, Avonte Maddox, Arthur Maulet, and Jalen Mills are all set to be unrestricted free agents this March. The Lions will still have Arnold and Rakestraw, but for outside experience, they only have cornerbacks Khalil Dorsey and D.J. Reed returning.
The Lions cornerback depth chart would look a lot better with someone such as Dean added.
Dean sits at No. 5 among all players on PFF’s 2026 free agents list. Edge rusher Trey Hendrickson and linebacker Devin Lloyd are the only defenders ahead of Dean.
“Dean ranked fourth among all cornerbacks in PFF grade (81.5) in 2025 and allowed just a 46.9 passer rating on throws into his coverage, which was the best mark in the NFL,” wrote the PFF team. “Now seven seasons into his career, he has never posted a PFF coverage grade below 70.0.”
Lions Predicted to Sign Star CB in 2026 NFL Free Agency