The Terrion Arnold Situation Won’t Cost the Lions a Draft Pick
Let’s get this out of the way first. No, the Lions are not getting a compensatory pick from releasing Arnold. And no, they’re not facing punishment from the league either.
Comp picks don’t work like that. They only apply when a player leaves as a free agent, gets signed elsewhere, and the formula kicks in based on contract value and playing time. Because the Lions released Arnold outright, none of that math matters. He’s gone and the Lions get nothing back for it beyond cap space and a clear conscience.
And before anyone starts worrying about the league office coming down on Allen Park, relax. The Lions reported everything properly. They didn’t cover anything up. They didn’t drag their feet. This is on Arnold and nobody else. Brad Holmes handled it exactly the way you’d expect Brad Holmes to handle it, which is to say cleanly and correctly.
So no draft pick penalties. No league discipline. Just one less cornerback than we had a few months ago.
Safety Might Be the Second Best Position Group on This Roster
Wide receiver is clearly the strongest unit on the team. After that, I’m calling it safety, and yes I know how that sounds given everything else happening in the secondary right now.
But hear me out.
Kerby Joseph should be ready for training camp. Brian Branch should be back at some point this season. Beyond those two, the depth is actually legitimate. Chuck Clark was a multi-year starter for the Baltimore Ravens. Christian Izien can play both safety spots and nickel, and he started for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Avonte Maddox started for the Eagles in their Super Bowl win and played well for the Lions last season. Thomas Harper graded out as the 10th highest safety in the league per Pro Football Focus, with Maddox right behind him at 11th.
That’s a deep, reliable group even before you factor in guys like Dan Jackson, who’s more of a wild card.
Running back deserves a mention too. Gibbs, Pacheco, Vaki, and Jacob Saylors make up a strong group. But safety has the depth and the starting talent to carry real weight this season.
The Offensive Line Will Gel Faster Than You Think
Training camp gives us a first look at the chemistry, but the real gelling happens once live football starts. Penei Sewell moving to left tackle isn’t a concern. He played left tackle at Oregon and during his rookie year in Detroit. He’ll be fine. The guy is Mr. Perfect. He can do anything.
The right side feels solid on paper with Blake Miller at right tackle, Tate Ratledge at right guard, and Cade Mays at center. The question is left guard, where the starter remains unclear.
The real work is communication. It’s Mays learning how Ratledge moves, how the left guard talks, how everybody operates together. You can pick up some of that in camp, but once the season starts and you’re throwing live rounds, it takes a few weeks.
I’d say by around Week 5, you’ll look at this group and think they’re starting to figure it out. It won’t take until 2027. Just patience and reps.
A Cornerback Trade Probably Isn’t Happening Right Now
Should the Lions trade for a cornerback? Yes. Will they? Probably not right now.
It’s easy to say go trade for a corner, but if a team has a good cornerback, why would they give him up before the season? The trade deadline presents a better opportunity because teams out of the playoff race become more willing to deal.
I think the Lions head into the season with Rock Ya-Sin as the starting No. 2 cornerback, with Ennis Rakestraw pushing for that spot if he stays healthy. That’s a fun battle to watch all summer. Beyond that, Detroit will likely wait until after final roster cuts to claim guys off waivers. They need depth behind the top two, and that’s the smartest way to get it.
Brad Holmes has earned the benefit of the doubt here. If he sees a trade worth making, he’ll make it. If he doesn’t, he won’t force it just to appease the anxiety of fans who watched the Arnold situation blow up in real time.
Blake Miller Is the Starting Right Tackle and It’s Not Close
Larry Borom isn’t starting over Blake Miller. Miller was a first-round pick, and he’s about as ready to go as a rookie tackle can be. He’s already working with the first-team offense at OTAs and mandatory minicamp. When camp opens, expect him lining up as the starting right tackle.
Borom’s role is swing tackle, and that’s a massive upgrade over Dan Skipper. Everybody loves Skipper, and what’s not to love? But his play was starting to decline, and that’s probably why he retired. Borom is a starting caliber tackle playing the swing role. In max protect situations, that’s going to matter.
Miller is written in ink as the Week 1 starter at right tackle. Treat it that way.
No Running Back Trades Are Coming
There’s no reason to trade for a running back. Gibbs, Pacheco, Vaki, and Saylors give the Lions one of the stronger position groups on the roster. Unless something unfortunate happens with injuries, I don’t see any running back trades coming for Detroit anytime soon.
This is one of those rare situations where the Lions actually have depth and talent at a position. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Do you trust Brad Holmes to navigate the cornerback situation without a panic trade, or are you refreshing Twitter waiting for breaking news? Drop your take below.
