NFL analyst says the Lions are one of the best landing spots for multi time Pro Bowler
NFL analysts are at work lately trying to pair some of the best remaining free agents to teams in need. Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine has a pairing for the Detroit Lions that doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but is interesting. Along with the Texans and Chiefs, Ballentine says the Lions are a good […]
NFL analysts are at work lately trying to pair some of the best remaining free agents to teams in need. Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine has a pairing for the Detroit Lions that doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but is interesting.
Along with the Texans and Chiefs, Ballentine says the Lions are a good landing spot for four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard. The reasoning for the move is that it could bolster the Lions' cornerback room in an attempt to get back to the NFC Championship Game.
For a minute there, Howard was one of the very best cornerbacks in the game. He was an All-Pro selection in 2020 and he's been a Pro Bowler multiple times as we already noted. But there has been quite a drop off in play. In 2023 he had a pretty bad season and while he made the Pro Bowl in 2022, that season wasn't much better. Pro Football Focus had Howard graded out in the 50's for both seasons. That's relatively low.
Then there's been some injuries as well. He's missed six games in the last two years. Four of which were last season. Howard has also had some legal troubles as well. After the Cameron Sutton release, the Lions aren't taking any chances on anyone.
The other big problem is that the Lions already bolstered their cornerback room in an attempt to get back to the NFC Championship game.
The Lions just had a huge offseason where they paid 98% of their attention to fixing the cornerback room. They brought in Carlton Davis, Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw and Amik Robertson. They're pretty set at this point.
Howard will find a team, but it won't be the Lions. The fit really isn't there and they don't need another cornerback at this point. They already have plenty of guys. The Texans might be a good spot for him though. The Chiefs could be interesting too.
