Lions trade up for the best cornerback in the 2024 NFL Draft in Alabama's Terrion Arnold

The Detroit Lions have shocked everyone with a trade up to the 24th pick and they have selected Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold.  The first thing to note is that this guy has the exact type of character that the Lions love. A very strong football IQ, loves the game and loves to work hard. Full […]

Mike Payton — Detroit Lions Beat Writer
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Sep 10, 2022; Austin, TX, USA; Alabama defensive back Terrion Arnold (3) jumps to intercept a pass over Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy (8) during the game at Royal Memorial Stadium on Sep. 10, 2022. Mandatory Credit: Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman-USA TODAY NETWORK
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman-USA TODAY NETWORK

The Detroit Lions have shocked everyone with a trade up to the 24th pick and they have selected Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold. 

The first thing to note is that this guy has the exact type of character that the Lions love. A very strong football IQ, loves the game and loves to work hard. Full of grit. The guy had a full on roofing analogy at his Combine presser and he had every reporter hanging on to his every word. It was the kind of thing where we walked away and said "Dan Campbell is going to love that guy." 

In terms of on field play, Arnold is the best cornerback in this draft. He's also one of the most NFL ready players in this entire thing. Arnold had a monster 2023 season that sawm him hold quarterbacks to a 50.7 passer rating. He picked off five passes and swatted away another 13. The interceptions were third in the country and the pass breakups were fifth. 

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One thing to really love about Arnold is that he's a guy that rises to the occasion. his teammate Kool-Aid McKinstry had such a big 2022 that teams refused to throw it his way in 2023. That meant that a  lot of the targets started going Arnold's way. He rose to occasion and balled out. Now he's expected to go ahead of McKinstry in the draft.

Arnold is a day one starter for the Lions. He and Carlton Davis will be the teams new one and two and that is quite the upgrade over Cameron Sutton and Jerry Jacobs. Two guys that are no longer here for different reasons. 

The thought of Davis and Arnold out there with Brian Branch playing that nickel spot and Amik Robertson flexing in has to make Lions fans feel all warm and cuddly on the inside. Good things are happening in this secondary. 

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