Could Lions be players for top free-agent cornerback?

While Jeff Okudah finally looked like the player the Lions thought they were getting when they drafted him third overall in 2020, the rest of Detroit’s secondary left much to be desired this season.

Needing to upgrade opposite Okudah in the defensive backfield, Pro Football Network’s Dallas Robinson believes Detroit should go all-in on signing James Bradberry, arguably the top cornerback on the free-agent market.

“After finishing 30th in defensive EPA per drop back in 2022, the now-contending Lions can’t afford to have a glaring weakness at CB,” Robinson said. “James Bradberry was forced to settle for a one-year deal last offseason after getting cut in May, but he should require a significant multi-year pact this time around. Detroit has the cap space to add a veteran like Bradberry, who earned a second-team All-Pro berth and could instantly turn the Lions’ defensive backfield into a strength.”

Robinson has a point.

After winning eight of their final 10 games, including a season-ending win over the Green Bay Packers, the Lions are a sexy pick contend for a playoff spot in 2023. However, a 32nd-ranked defense that allowed the third-most passing yards (4,179) and eighth-most touchdown passes (26) seems to be standing in Detroit’s way.

While Okudah had an impressive season (61.5 completion percentage allowed, eight forced incompletions five pass breakups, two touchdowns allowed), the Lions likely won’t contend with the elite teams in the NFC with Will Harris, Mike Hughes and Jerry Jacobs behind him on the depth chart.

Enter Bradberry.