Detroit Lions rookie Terrion Arnold was the second cornerback off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft behind Quinyon Mitchell of the Philadelphia Eagles this past April.
The former Alabama star was selected with the 24th pick in the draft despite running a 4.5 40-yard dash at this past winter’s NFL Combine, a pedestrian time for a player at his position.
According to Detroit Free Press veteran reporter Dave Birkett, Arnold had a valid reason for not running in the 4.2-4.4 second time.
Birkett said on his X account that Arnold ran the prestigious speed drill one day after pulling his hamstring and that it is “not representative of how fast he is,” as noted in an article on Freep.com.
Arnold is one of two cornerbacks drafted by Detroit at this past April’s NFL Draft in the Motor City, creating optimism for a Lions secondary that was shredded during key moments of the second half of its 34-31 NFC Championship Game loss to the San Francisco 49ers in January.
Arnold officially inked his rookie deal with the Lions on Thursday, becoming the last member of their six-man draft class to sign.
The former Crimson Tide defensive back is known for his speed and athleticism but also his toughness and willingness to fight for the football, whether in the air or the receiver’s hands.
“He is a physical player, he’s a willing participant in the tackle game,” said Lions passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend. “You see him play multiple positions. He played outside, he played inside, and he is not afraid.”
With former Lions starting cornerback Jerry Jacobs now a free agent, Detroit has a vacancy at the right cornerback position alongside free agent pickup Carlton Davis, who came over from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Arnold will almost certainly battle it out with second-round draft pick Ennis Rakestraw Jr. for the spot this upcoming fall, a chance for him to show once and for all that he can run stride-for-stride with the best of them, in lieu of what he felt was a sub-par showing this past winter.