Detroit Lions’ best trade target to address cornerback need after Terrion Arnold situation is in Denver
Detroit Lions may need to make a trade after the Terrion Arnold situation, and the best answer could be in Denver. It might be time for Dan Campbell to call his mentor Sean Payton about a young starting corner who fits Detroit’s defense.
The Detroit Lions need cornerback help, and they need it now. With the Terrion Arnold arrest situation creating a hole in the secondary, Detroit has to look outside the building for reinforcements. The Lions have some young corners in the room. Ennis Rakestraw could develop into something, Rock Ya-Sin brings value, and maybe Nick Whiteside or some of the other guys will surprise. But that’s not enough. Free agency is one route, and we’ve already gone through some of those options. The best move for the Lions, though, is to pick up the phone and make a trade.
The guy who makes the most sense is Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss.
Why Riley Moss fits the Lions
Look, you’re not getting Sauce Gardner right now. You’re not getting one of these elite cornerbacks off a contending roster. Some fans might point to Denzel Ward as the better target, but Ward hasn’t been playing at a high level lately, and Cleveland is going to want far more in return than what it would cost to land Moss.
Moss is still young. He just turned 26 and was a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He started every game for the Broncos last season and graded out at 64.2 overall with Pro Football Focus. More importantly, for what the Lions want to do, he posted a 71.6 run defense grade. Detroit wants to stop the run. That’s a core part of what Dan Campbell’s team is built on, and Moss fits that identity.
He did allow seven touchdowns in coverage, and that’s going to concern some Lions fans. Fair enough. But you have to understand what the market is right now. You’re looking for a good cornerback with a chance to become a very good one. That’s what Moss is.
Why Denver would make this deal
Here’s the thing about the Broncos. They just paid Patrick Surtain a massive deal, making him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. On top of that, they drafted Jahdae Barron in the first round last year. They’ve got Jaquan McMillan, who they’re going to have to pay soon. They’ve got Kris Abrams-Draine. Denver is deep and set in its secondary.
Moss is in the final year of his contract. The Broncos have a decision to make: pay him next year or move him now and use that money to keep their defense together long-term. Denver has a really good defense it’s trying to retain, and moving on from a good player to create financial flexibility makes sense for where the Broncos are right now. They may have wanted to start Moss this season, but they can afford to let Barron step into that role instead.
What would it cost?
Moss is young, productive, and under contract. The Broncos don’t have to move him. They have leverage.
I’d start by offering a fourth-round and a sixth-round pick. I think Denver would probably say yes to that package. If not, you counter with a third-round pick straight up, and I’m almost certain that gets it done. Either way, the Lions are not giving up a premium asset for a quality starter who fits their scheme. That’s a price worth paying.
The bottom line
It’s fun to dream about Pro Bowl cornerbacks and big-name acquisitions. But those teams aren’t trading their stars. The Lions need to find a situation where a team can afford to move on from a good player and actually benefit from doing so. Denver checks every box. Riley Moss fits what Detroit does on defense, he’s young enough to be part of the long-term plan, and the cost is reasonable. Dan Campbell should get on the phone with his old buddy Sean Payton and get this deal done.
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