The Detroit Lions got aggressive in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft to get their guy, with the team trading up with the Dallas Cowboys to take Alabama cornerback, Terrion Arnold.
The Lions gave up their No. 29 overall pick and the No. 73 overall pick (third round) in exchange for the No. 24 selection that landed them Arnold. They also netted a 2025 seventh-round pick in the process.
Detroit had a major need on the boundary after releasing Cameron Sutton, as they didn't have a reliable option opposite Carlton Davis, with Amik Robertson and Emmanuel Moseley both being question marks.
Arnold was widely considered one of the top-two cornerbacks in this year's class and should offer an immediate starter for a Lions team that has Super Bowl aspirations in 2024. For now, he'll start out as the No. 2 but Arnold has all the traits to be a lockdown, No. 1 cornerback for years to come.
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The 6-foot, 189-pound cornerback is an outstanding athlete who has a nose for the football, and he possesses the versatility to play on the outside or in the slot, although he will play at the former spot for Detroit.
The Lions do have one less Day 2 pick as a result of the trade, but that's a situation the team can afford. What's most important is Detroit landed itself someone who should bolster its secondary right away.
GRADE: A+
