Lions 2023 draft preview: Overhauled cornerback group still could get early-round help

Over the next several days, leading up to the 2023 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: Cam Sutton, Jerry Jacobs, Emmanuel Moseley, Will Harris, Chase Lucas, Khalil Dorsey, Mac McCain III, Jarren Williams,

▶ Short-term need: Three out of 10

▶ Long-term need: Nine out of 10

▶ Top prospects: Christian Gonzalez, Devon Witherspoon, Joey Porter Jr., Deonte Banks

▶ Day 2 options: DJ Turner, Emmanuel Forbes, Julius Brents, Kelee Ringo, Clark Phillips III

▶ Late-round considerations: Jaylon Jones, Riley Moss, Darius Rush

▶ Analysis: The biggest investment the Lions made this offseason, far and away, was into the cornerback position. The team made an early splash in free agency, signing the longtime Steeler Sutton to a three-year deal. They followed that up with the addition of Mosely, Sutton’s college teammate at Tennessee, who came with a discounted price tag after tearing his ACL last season.

And even though he’s listed as a safety, C.J. Gardner-Johnson is destined to see plenty of snaps as the slot corner in this scheme, reprising the role he played in New Orleans, where he was drafted and developed under Aaron Glenn, who now serves as Detroit’s defensive coordinator.

That freed the team to part ways with one of last year’s starters, Jeff Okudah. The former first-round pick was traded to the Falcons this week in exchange for a fifth-round choice in the upcoming draft. The other starter, Jacobs, will be afforded the opportunity to battle his way out of being relegated to a backup role. His competitiveness and physicality long has made him a favorite among his teammates and the coaching staff, so it’s premature to count him out.

But while the room is suddenly stocked with high-level talent, long-term answers remain elusive. Sutton will obviously be around for a bit, but Moseley and Gardner-Johnson are operating on one-year deals, while Jacobs will be a restricted free agent next offseason.

All that to say, yeah, cornerback is definitely on the table in the draft, starting in the first round.

And while a defensive lineman is perceived to offer better positional value inside the top-10, both Gonzalez and Witherspoon merit Detroit’s attention at that spot.

At one of the most athletic positions on the field, Gonzalez is one of the most athletic prospects to ever enter the league. The 6-foot-1, 197-pounder out of Oregon nearly leapt out of Lucas Oil Stadium with his vertical and broad jumps prior to running a blistering 4.38-second 40-yard dash. And while he might not be the most instinctual corner, he still finds himself around the ball often enough to make plenty of plays, racking up four interceptions for Oregon last season.

With Witherspoon, it’s less about the drills and more about the exceptional tape. Playing with a blend of feistiness and honed instincts, Witherspoon’s aggressive playing style would be a natural fit in Detroit’s scheme. And the production is easy to like with 14 pass breakups, three interceptions and a completion percentage south of 35% when targeted in 2022.

Later in the first round, the Lions still could have a shot at Porter Jr., the physical son of the longtime Steelers linebacker, or Banks, another physical prototype with rare athletic traits.

In the second round, a couple of college football’s top playmakers, Phillips III and Forbes, figure to linger on the board long enough for the Lions to have a chance. Both players are anchored by some level of questionable measurables at the combine. For Forbes, his weight (168 pounds) raised eyebrows, while Phillips’ athleticism was below-average, suggesting he’s probably best suited for a nickel role at the next level. Still, it’s difficult to ignore the six interceptions each recorded last season.

Then there’s Brents, who measured in at a tantalizing 6-foot-3 with 34-inch arms at the combine. He plays to that size, thriving in press-coverage situations and showing the consistent ability to tackle in space. He didn’t get his hands on many throws throughout his college career, but flashed playmaking potential with four interceptions as a senior.

Look for speed, upside and special teams ability in the later rounds. Moss, out of Iowa, brings that to the table with a 4.45 time in the 40 and kick coverage experience on the resume. Rush might have ran too fast to slide to the third day after posting a 4.36 in the dash. The former receiver also has some good tape on special teams, which further adds to his appeal.

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @Justin_Rogers