The Lions have 4 cornerback options they could add right now without paying the price of a blockbuster trade
Detroit could still swing big before the trade deadline, but two veteran free agents and two experienced practice-squad corners offer much cheaper ways to address the problem immediately.
We’ve talked a lot about the big trade we think the Detroit Lions should make with the Pittsburgh Steelers for Joey Porter, but while we think there’s a possibility it could happen, we also acknowledge it’s the most costly move. Not only now, but for the future as well. The trade deadline is a ways away, and we don’t really know who will be available then, but we do know who is on the market right now. Let’s take a look at some potential fits to help the Lions at cornerback. We found four:
Kenny Moore
Moore was one of the league’s best slot corners for quite a while and wasn’t bad for the Colts last year. It’s strange that he’s still sitting out here. In the offseason, we talked about how he didn’t really fit the Lions since they’re well-stocked at slot corner, but now they might have to move things around.
If Avonte Maddox is going to be out, Christian Izien is going to have to fill in there. Then you think about Roger McCreary playing on the outside and splitting reps with Rock Ya-Sin. You put Moore in the slot with Keith Abney, and you see what you’ve got.
The good news is that the Lions have recently checked in on Moore.
Tre’Davious White
Like most of the guys on this list, this is not going to be a long-term fix. White is 31 years old, but he’s coming off a decent season in Buffalo where he allowed a 72.5 passer rating. That is actually quite good. For comparison’s sake, Ya-Sin is allowing a 106 passer rating so far this season. White may be a guy the Lions can start on the outside immediately, and he’s someone Ya-Sin can still split reps with because I think Ya-Sin is better in that type of situation.
Starling Thomas V – From Cardinals practice squad
This is an interesting one because Thomas was actually here in 2023 as an undrafted rookie. The Lions cut him at final cutdowns even though he had shown some promise, and he’s been with the Cardinals ever since. He’s started 22 games for them and had a promising future as well, but tore his ACL in training camp before the 2025 season. So he hasn’t started since 2024, but the trajectory was moving upwards. If I were the Lions, I’d poach him and see what you can get. Worst-case scenario, you get a little intel on your Week 5 opponent.
Sean Murphy-Bunting – From Buccaneers practice squad
The former Central Michigan standout has been kind of hot and cold in the NFL. He helped the Bucs win a Super Bowl as a starter in 2020, but then he struggled with the Titans and Cardinals before tearing his ACL in an offseason workout and missing the 2025 season. The Cardinals just cut him at the end of August, and the Bucs picked him up. It’s hard to know what he’s like right now, but he has started 64 games in the NFL, and the Lions might be a tad desperate. So here’s something to think about.
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