Detroit Lions have a cornerback crisis on their hands, and general manager Brad Holmes needs to act. Terrion Arnold’s departure has left Detroit without a clear second starting outside corner opposite D.J. Reed heading into training camp, and the Lions cannot afford to pretend the current roster is good enough to compete for a Super Bowl. Holmes has built one of the best rosters in the NFL over the last few years, but this is the moment that defines whether he can adapt when things go sideways.

I’ve already written about how bad that 2024 draft class turned out. It was rough. But we’re not going to sit here and torch Holmes’ entire body of work because of one draft. We’re also not going to put his and Dan Campbell’s entire record on Arnold, who was the consensus No. 1 cornerback in that class. They did the pre-draft work. They did the due diligence. Arnold’s character was considered outstanding coming out. You can’t see the future. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out.

The Lions can’t stand pat with Rock Ya-Sin as the answer

Here’s the thing. If the Lions’ plan is to roll with Rock Ya-Sin as the starter and call it a day, that’s a broken thought process. Ya-Sin played well off the bench last year. He was great in that role. But we’re talking about a guy who started four games last year, a guy who has never started 17 games in a season. Not because of injuries, but because he’s never beaten somebody out for the full-time job. He’s a quality depth rotational cornerback who can play a lot of snaps. He is not a long-term starter.

And if the Lions go that route, what’s the backup plan? Two undrafted free agents? Ennis Rakestraw, who we haven’t seen anything from because he’s been hurt for two years? Maybe Rakestraw shows up. But if he doesn’t, you’re left with Nick Whiteside and Khalil Dorsey, two guys who have played very little NFL defense. That’s a risk not worth taking.

Holmes doesn’t need to swing for the fences, but he needs to swing

I know what Holmes and Campbell usually do in these situations. “Next man up. We believe in our guys. Financial constraints.” All of that. You have to set that aside this time.

Answering the bell doesn’t mean calling up the Indianapolis Colts and offering four first-round picks for Sauce Gardner. Teams aren’t going to trade you their best corner, and they shouldn’t. That’s not how this works. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make a real move to improve the position.

Go trade for Riley Moss. See if you can get Kristian Fulton from Kansas City. Bring back Mike Hughes from Atlanta. If you want to go the free agent route, go get Rasul Douglas. Don’t waste it on Tre’Davious White or some guy who was good five years ago and might be serviceable. Get a veteran who showed he could start and play well last year.

Arnold posted a 52.6 Pro Football Focus grade last year and a 50.8 the year before. If you can’t find somebody who can outperform those numbers and start 17 games, then you’re telling the fanbase you don’t want to win badly enough. I hate saying that because it sounds like a fanboy take, but this is the one time I’ll agree with Lions fans on this.

This offseason is the test

The Lions have talked about being a Super Bowl contender. They’ve built a roster that can compete at the highest level. But if Holmes doesn’t go out and fix this problem with a trade that might feel a little aggressive, or sign a player or two who can contribute and start right away, then they’ve failed this offseason. They’re telling you they want to win, just maybe not badly enough.

Brad Holmes doesn’t need to find a franchise-altering star at cornerback. He needs to find a proven, reliable starter who can come in, play 17 games, and hold down the position well enough to help the Lions get over the hump. The talent is out there. The options exist. Holmes just has to go get one of them.

We’ll see what they do. But right now, the Lions cannot afford to sit on their hands.

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