Given their needs and where they stand in the draft, could Brad Holmes and the Lions move up from No. 29 to target a specific defensive player?
"That’s entirely possible," said NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah. "I wouldn’t rule that out. When you think about corners and edges, I would think if they can get one of those top three guys, that would make some sense."
Every team is looking for cornerbacks and edge rushers, two of the most important positions in the game. But the need is acute for the Lions. They struggled to pressure the passer this season opposite Aidan Hutchinson, and they were often exposed in coverage as a result. They allowed the most air yards in the NFL.
Jeremiah said that if the Lions stick and pick at No. 29, Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson likely comes into the discussion. He has the traits to form a dominant pass-rushing duo with Hutchinson. But Holmes hasn't been shy about making moves in the first round. He traded down six spots to No. 12 last year and wound up with Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta for his troubles, and two years ago traded up from No. 32 to No. 12 to get Jameson Williams.
With three more picks in the top 100 after No. 29, the Lions do have the ammo to get aggressive. Jeremiah could see them making a move for one of three corners.
"If you’re moving up for a corner, I love Terrion Arnold," he said. ... "He’s one, to me, that would be worth going up and getting if he started to drift a little bit and maybe be aggressive on that one. He would fit with them, as well as (Ennis) Rakestraw and Quinyon Mitchell. Those three guys would be trade targets for me in terms of what fits Detroit."
Arnold was a first-team All-American last season at Alabama, where he had five picks and 12 passes defended. Mitchell was a star at Toledo, leading the nation over the last two seasons with 39 passes defended. And Rakestraw, who "has some (Darius) Slay in him," said Jeremiah, was a lockdown corner at Mizzou whose stock is rising ahead of the draft.
Jeremiah is particularly high on Arnold, calling him his second favorite player in the draft to Washingon receiver Rome Odunze: "I have him way up there. As big and fast and instinctive and productive as he is, he’s fluid. He's just a really good player who’s a combination of physical, athletic, reliable."
It might behoove the Lions to wait on a cornerback in a draft that's deep at that position. Jeremiah said he has 14 to 15 corners "with that top-three-round grade, which is a good number."
But if there's one they really like near the top of the board, don't be surprised if Holmes makes a move.