Lions 2022 draft preview: Cornerbacks a lower priority with improving young group

Over the next several days, leading up to the 2022 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: Cornerback.

► Current roster: Amani Oruwariye, Jeff Okudah, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Jerry Jacobs, Mike Hughes, AJ Parker, Bobby Price, Saivion Smith, Mark Gilbert, Parnell Motley

► Short-term need: Three out of 10

► Long-term need: Six out of 10

► Top prospects: Sauce Gardner, Derek Stingley, Trent McDuffie, Andrew Booth

► Day 2 options: Coby Bryant, Tariq Woolen, Marcus Jones

► Late-round considerations: Joshua Williams, Zyon McCollum

► Analysis: The Lions are loaded with young talent at cornerback, and they further added to that mix via free agency this offseason, signing a 25-year-old, former first-round pick in Hughes. Still, the team faces plenty of question marks about the long-term picture at the position.

That conversation starts with the presumed starters, Oruwariye and Okudah.

Oruwariye, entering his fourth season, is coming off his best campaign, finishing third in the NFL with six interceptions. He’s also entering the final year of his rookie contract and is due a big raise based on his age, production and durability. General manager Brad Holmes recently acknowledged the team is exploring the potential of an extension. Based on some of the deals signed by free agents this offseason, Oruwariye could command $10 million or more per season. That’s a hearty investment for a corner who is probably best suited to be No. 2 on the depth chart.

Okudah, drafted third overall by the previous regime, was supposed to be the No. 1 outside option entering his third season, but he’s coming off a torn Achilles. That’s a potentially devastating injury for a position that relies not just on speed, but the ability to quickly change direction and accelerate. The way things are trending, it’s difficult to imagine the Lions picking up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract at the end of the 2022 season. Fortunately, the franchise has a full year before having to make that decision.

Beyond that tandem, the team has been able to quickly amass some intriguing depth. Hughes is coming off his best season and has experience playing both outside and in the slot. Jacobs, an undrafted free agent a year ago, exceeded all reasonable expectations as a rookie, although he’ll also be coming back from a serious injury after tearing his ACL last December. Melifonwu, a player the Lions were thrilled to land in the third round of last year’s draft, should have ample opportunity to show he’s made significant strides with his development, assuming he can avoid repeating last year’s injury woes.

More: Justin Rogers’ 2022 NFL mock draft 2.0, post-free agency edition

Detroit’s biggest immediate concern would seem to be at nickel. Parker, another undrafted rookie from last season, played well at times, but also had multiple communication issues that stung the defense. Additionally, he’s going to have a tough time staying healthy weighing just 180 pounds. The team could always turn to Hughes, who has experience in the slot, but he hasn’t been as effective at that spot during the early stages of his career. Another option is safety Will Harris, who pinch-hit in the role last year when injuries and COVID badly depleted the depth chart.

In the draft, barring a trade down from the No. 2 pick, the Lions don’t figure to be in the mix for any of the top cornerbacks — namely Gardner, Stingley or McDuffie. And while Booth might be there at the end of the first round, there will probably be options at other positions better suited to address the team’s more-pressing needs.

More: Kiper’s latest mock has Lions focusing on defense, grabbing corner at No. 2

The second day seems like a more suitable time to consider a corner, particularly if the team is concerned about their long-term situation at the position for the reasons noted above. Bryant, Gardner’s teammate at Cincinnati, would make for a solid addition in the third round, given his wealth of experience, ball production (45 PBUs in 50 starts) and the two-time captain’s profile as a leader.

And if Detroit values developable athleticism more than college production, Woolen is intriguing. The converted receiver stands 6-foot-4 and ran a blazing 4.26-second 40-yard dash while leaping an equally impressive 42 inches in the vertical jump. Given a year under the tutelage of defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant, Woolen is the type of prospect who could produce at a level far exceeding his draft slot.

As for Jones, the Houston product faces some of the same concerns as Parker with his frame. But even at 5-foot-8, Jones is sticky in coverage, intercepting five passes last year. He’d be an excellent fit for the slot, while also pushing to be the team’s Week 1 kick returner after scoring six touchdowns in that role the past four seasons.

Going into the later rounds, it’s more about potential. It’s easy to like small-school standouts like Williams out of Fayetteville State and McCollum out of Sam Houston State. Both measured in at 6-foot-2 and close to 200 pounds, while showcasing ball skills throughout their college careers, albeit playing against lesser competition. Like Woolen, given some time to develop, either could prove to be a diamond in the rough.

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @Justin_Rogers