The great majority of mock drafts project an outside cornerback for the Detroit Lions in Round 1, which is what the football community expects the team to do this year.
But let’s go back to the previous season, when the Lions used their first four picks on running backs, linebackers, tight ends, and nickelbacks. Let’s take a look at the best alternatives available outside of the first round. It’s also crucial to keep in mind that, at this time last year, the team’s most desired selection was a shutdown outside cornerback.
Let’s examine cornerbacks Cam Hart (Notre Dame), Kamari Lassiter (Georgia), Khyree Jackson (Oregon), Mike Sainristil (Michigan), and Kalen King (Penn State) in more detail in this piece, as on-field testing is scheduled for Friday.
Hart unexpectedly made it to Detroit in the first round of one of our most recent mock draft roundups. In addition to being a team captain from a successful program with impressive statistics, he is an outside cornerback who stands 6-foot-2 and 207 pounds.
Additionally, the senior graduate avoided giving up his greatest performance of the year against USC and top choice Caleb Williams.
When quarterbacks threw to Hart, he only gave up 15 catches on 28 targets for 137 yards and no touchdowns, with a passer rating of 67.1.
The main criticism he has is that in his four seasons at Notre Dame, he only intercepted two passes, both of which occurred in the 2021 season.
However, given that he was formerly a wide receiver, it is thought that something may be shaped by his background, build, and future development. It’s not a completely novel idea—Hart said that he played defensive back his entire life before moving to South Bend—just that the quality of competition was significantly different.
Hart remarked, “I understood the role and what was happening behind the scenes.” “During my first semester of college, I concentrated more on receiving. I made the transfer in the middle of the season. After several back-end injuries, Coach Brian Kelly approached me. When they approached me and asked if I would like to switch over, that’s when everything started.
“Coach (Mike) Mickens certainly coached Sauce Gardner.” Because of our similar stature, I watched a lot of his college games because we both played defense. I grew up watching Richard Sherman. I used to always watch him play, and Pat Surtain was a multi-talented player. He works as a technician. He can do everything because he is 6-2. I attempt to watch him play and take advantage of his resources.
Remember that Lassiter is another first-round borderline prospect. However, he was an elite cornerback for Georgia, a historically dominant nation that produces elite defensive players.
When targeted, the junior had an excellent man and zone coverage rating, allowing a passer rating of 48.7. He gave up just 15 receptions for 136 yards and no touchdowns on 39 targets. In his three years at Georgia, he gave up just two touchdowns. Similar to Hart, he occasionally played the slot but was outside most of the time.
According to The Athletic, “some clubs view him like they did Brian Branch last season, with his competitive spirit and aggressiveness.” “Georgia coaches are raving about his leadership and what Lassiter meant to the program, which will be good selling factors,” NFL scouts have reportedly said.
In this region, Sainristil is a well-known name. He played cornerback and wide receiver at Michigan and is an aggressive player. Despite how simple it is to fall in love with him, his physique and playing style tend to give the impression that he’s better suited for the slot as well.
Jackson, an Oregon 6-foot-3 cornerback, is a promising talent to watch because of his remarkable broad jump. In the pass-happy Pac-12, he gave up just 200 yards and one touchdown, along with three interceptions, for a quarterback rating of 41.6 when targeted in the previous season.
After playing a supporting role in his first two seasons, he showed last season that he could hang with some of the finest wideouts in the country and hammer the run.
This last season was a harsh one all around, and King returned to earth. His coverage passer rating was 82.4 when he was knocked, giving up 25 catches on 41 yards for 290 yards.
And just a year after coming in eighth among cornerbacks, he was ranked 707th by Pro Football Focus.
The Penn State cornerback declared, “I think I’m one of the most competitive people in the world.” “I detest losing in all endeavors. not limited to football alone. I always compete, whether it’s running the stop sign or attempting to get to class first. My goal is to always come first in everything.
We know what the Lions are searching for, regardless of the route they decide to take. It’s merely the first year of Cam Sutton’s three-year contract.
Even though the veteran’s first season in Detroit wasn’t the best, it’s obvious that a little assistance from the opposing side and a more reliable pass rush might help him have a stronger second season in Aaron Glenn’s defense.
You cannot play if you refuse to tackle. That’s all,” said Deshea Townsend, the new defensive backs coach for the Lions.
You cannot play if it is on the tape and you refuse to tackle it. In the end, all I’m looking for are individuals who are eager to make the first move and don’t back down from touch.
The next question is, “How near can you get coverage?” for us. From then on, the technique is built upon. How can I assist them? Apart from that, I won’t tolerate it if you don’t tackle it.
