The Detroit Lions invested heavily in their cornerbacks room during the 2024 NFL draft, with the team selecting both Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
While Rakestraw didn’t do much in his first season due to injury, Arnold was a prominent member of the Lions’ secondary.
Arnold showed flashes, but there were definitely some hiccups along the way, which is what you’d expect from a rookie thrust into a key role.
But Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder isn’t very understanding of that fact and believes Arnold is teetering on the brink of being a bust already if he doesn’t play better in 2025.
“Fair or not, the Detroit Lions selected Terrion Arnold with the hopes he could solve one of the most significant issues from the year before, as cornerback was arguably their biggest weakness heading into last year’s draft,” Holder wrote.
“However, the 24th overall selection got picked on as a rookie, surrendering the 10th-most receptions (56) among cornerbacks and a 99.2 passer rating when targeted during the regular season, according to Pro Football Focus.”
Holder goes on to say that Arnold “can’t get too comfortable” in his role and that the presences of Amik Robertson and free-agent addition Avonte Maddox give Detroit options to replace him if Arnold doesn’t answer the bell.
We would also throw Rakestraw in there as another candidate who could step in if Arnold struggles. The Missouri product is focusing on playing the boundary this offseason after being primed for a slot role last year.
With the more proven D.J. Reed lining up across from him, teams are going to go after Arnold early and often until he proves they shouldn’t throw his way.
It might not seem fair, but expectations are always high for first-round picks like Arnold. If he struggles in Year 2, it will be fair to start to wonder if the Lions missed on their top 2024 pick.
