Over the next several days, leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft, we’re taking a position-by-position look at the Detroit Lions’ roster and evaluating how the team might address each unit. Today: Cornerbacks.

Current roster: Carlton Davis III, Amik Robertson, Emmanuel Moseley, Brian Branch, Khalil Dorsey, Steven Gilmore, Craig James

Short-term need: Seven out of 10

Long-term need: Nine out of 10

Top prospects: Terrion Arnold, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Nate Wiggins, Kool-Aid McKinstry

Day 2 options: Ennis Rakestraw, T.J. Tampa, Kamari Lassiter, Max Melton

Late-round considerations: Kris Abrams-Draine, Nehemiah Pritchett, Qwan’tez Stiggers, Khyree Jackson, Willie Drew

Analysis: For all the things that have gone well with Detroit’s three-year rebuild, the team has struggled to get its cornerback position right. This offseason, for the second year in a row, the team is overhauling the room, and there’s an expectation general manager Brad Holmes will continue the remodel via the draft.

Last year’s makeover involved giving up on the No. 3 pick in the 2020 draft, Jeff Okudah. After injuries, including a torn Achilles in 2021, limited him to 10 games his first two seasons, the final first-round pick of the previous regime just wasn’t able to live up to the lofty expectations of where he was drafted.

To replace the void in the starting lineup, the Lions signed Cam Sutton to a three-year, $33 million contract in free agency. The addition of the smart and savvy veteran felt like a safe swing for stability, but the move didn’t pan out as planned. A complementary piece to Pittsburgh’s defense, he struggled with tougher assignments in Detroit, allowing a horrendous 113.9 passer rating against when targeted in coverage last season.

The structure of his contract was going to give Sutton a chance to rebound in 2024, but that was negated by a weeks-long avoidance of an arrest warrant for domestic violence allegations, leading to his abrupt release last month.

Even prior to the release, and unrelated to the off-field issues, Holmes was building a contingency plan. The GM made a trade for a more-proven No. 1 option, sending a draft pick to Tampa Bay for Carlton Davis III. Additionally, the team signed Amik Robertson from Las Vegas and re-signed Emmanuel Moseley, who saw just two snaps prior to suffering a torn ACL in his first season with the Lions.

On paper, it looks like a clear upgrade. Whether Robertson or Moseley emerge as the second starter, the secondary should be in a better place with Davis and slot corner Brian Branch, who is coming off a stellar rookie campaign.

But there’s a lingering need for outside depth, and the long-term picture remains shaky. Davis has just one year remaining on his contract, Moseley only re-signed for a year, and Robertson’s two-year pact is structured in a way that he’ll need to quickly establish his value to stick for the back half.

While unlikely, it’s not inconceivable all three are off the roster before the 2025 season.

It adds to the urgency of finding a quality cornerback in this draft, one who can hopefully be part of the impressive foundation Holmes has already built. And it’s not outlandish to think every corner prospect is in play for the Lions.

That’s not to say Detroit could have its choice of any of the top options at pick No. 29. Rather, Holmes’ track record has shown the GM is willing to trade up for a player he covets. In 2022, the Lions moved from pick No. 32 to No. 12 to snag wide receiver Jameson Williams. They’d likely be looking at a similar-sized jump up the board to snag whomever they might view as the top CB in this class, whether that’s Arnold, Mitchell or DeJean.

If the Lions sit tight, McKinstry is the most likely to still be on the board, in part because he’s recovering from a broken foot discovered during his medical evaluation at the combine. Fortunately, he was able to quell some concerns about his speed at Alabama’s pro day, where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds.

Assuming the medical prognosis is good, you’re talking about a technically proficient cornerback who allowed just 47.9% of the throws his direction to be completed during his college career.

If the Lions miss out on the top group, or opt to go a different direction in the first round, there are Day 2 options worthy of consideration. That said, they might not want to let the board come to them with their second pick not scheduled until No. 61 overall.

Rakestraw, who was projected to the Lions in some early mock drafts, lacks elite size or athletic traits, but he has a playing style that melds well with Detroit’s identity. So does Lassiter, a ferocious tackler who needs some extra seasoning to improve his man-to-man coverage skills.

Tampa’s timed speed might give pause, but he offers impressive size and quality college production while playing both man and zone. Melton, meanwhile, brings elite athletic traits to the mix, along with some quality ball production. He intercepted eight passes the past three seasons for Rutgers.

Waiting until Day 3 will make it more difficult to find a projectable starter. If available in those rounds, Abrams-Draine and Pritchett both bring extensive starting experience and desirable football character. Abrams-Draine is obviously undersized, at 179 pounds, but you have to love his ability to get his hands on the ball (34 passes defended, seven interceptions).

Stiggers is one of the draft’s more fun wild cards. He never played college football, instead trying his hand at seven-on-seven indoor before going to the CFL, where he won Rookie of the Year honors in 2023 after intercepting five passes.