The Detroit Lions made significant investments in the cornerback position during the 2024 NFL offseason. They signed Amik Robertson to a two-year contract, traded for Carlton Davis from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and used their first two draft picks on corners, selecting Terrion Arnold from Alabama and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. from Missouri. Despite these moves, the team finds itself in need of an upgrade at cornerback heading into the 2025 offseason. Davis’ contract has expired, and neither of the rookie corners emerged as reliable options in their first season.
Given these uncertainties, one writer believes the Lions should target a free agent who has flown under the radar early this offseason. In an article discussing one free agent each NFL team should pursue, CBS Sports’ Jordan Dajani highlighted New Orleans Saints corner Paulson Adebo as a potential target for Detroit. Adebo hasn’t received as much attention as Davis or Jets corner D.J. Reed, but he might deserve more recognition. Though he only played seven games in 2024 due to a broken femur, Adebo was having an outstanding season before the injury. In those seven games, he tallied 52 tackles, three interceptions, and 10 pass deflections. In his previous full season, he recorded 76 tackles, four interceptions, and 18 pass defenses, while also limiting opposing quarterbacks to a 55% completion rate in 2023. Adebo’s combination of tackling ability and coverage success could make him a strong addition to the Lions’ secondary, and his price might be more affordable due to the injury that interrupted what was shaping up to be his best season