Prior to Terrion Arnold\u2019s arrest and subsequent release, the Detroit Lions said that he would have to compete and win a starting job.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got a lot of good guys in that room and he knows this, he\u2019s got to go earn it,\u201d coach Dan Campbell said on the final day of mandatory minicamp.<\/p>\n
Whether that was going to be a real competition or Arnold\u2019s job to lose is something we\u2019ll never know for sure. But it now does bring up the question: can the Lions be okay at cornerback without Arnold, or do they need to add more competition.<\/p>\n
At Pride of Detroit, we\u2019ve already discussed some free agent options, explored a possible trade for Denzel Ward, and explored the internal options. On this week\u2019s Midweek Mailbag, Erik Schlitt and I bring it all together: how desperate are the Lions to add to their cornerback room?<\/p>\n
On one topic we both agree: a trade for Ward seems extremely unlikely. While it would be an aggressive move to take the cornerback up a notch, Ward is 29 years old and, more importantly, he carries a $16.9 million salary this year that will jeopardize Detroit\u2019s ability to balance their salary cap both in the present and the future.<\/p>\n
However, we don\u2019t full see eye-to-eye when it comes to what their approach should be otherwise. Personally, I think that while Detroit has options internally, at the very least they need to fortify their depth with a startable talent. As it stands right now, if Rock Ya-Sin steps into the starting lineup, their top reserves\u2014Ennis Rakestraw, Nick Whiteside, and Khalil Dorsey\u2014have a combined three career starts in the NFL. Detroit could always move Roger McCreary to the outside, but then they\u2019d either be relying on rookie Keith Abney to start at nickel, or they\u2019d have to shift a safety down to the nickel.<\/p>\n
Schlitt has a different idea: moving Abney to the outside and exploring his development there.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was a talented kid that I thought was a Day 2 pick,\u201d Schlitt said. \u201cI\u2019m interested to see\u2014I think Abney could be the key here. If Abney\u2019s picking things up quick, maybe he ends up being a guy who starts pushing for (playing) time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although, Schlitt admitted if Abney isn\u2019t picking things up quickly enough to challenge for a starting spot or be adequate depth on the outside, then maybe it\u2019s time to give a call to someone like free agent Rasul Douglas.<\/p>\n
You can catch our entire debate on this week\u2019s mailbag podcast, which is available on any podcasting platform, including the Spotify embed below.<\/p>\n
Other topics this week include:<\/p>\n