The Lions are in risk of losing cornerback Jerry Jacobs and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to free agency, but they have the opportunity to add an All-Pro player after the Buffalo Bills released cornerback Tre’Davious White this week as part of a cost-cutting spree. According to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic, White might be a potential addition to the Lions’ secondary as a reliable veteran.
Lions could take a chance on top cornerback.
Pouncy observed that chasing White could be risky for the Lions because the cornerback has suffered back-to-back serious injuries in the last three years. White had a damaged ACL in 2022 and returned last season only to be sidelined again with a torn Achilles.
White’s recuperation could extend into the season, but Pouncy believes it may also provide the Lions with an opportunity to recruit a low-cost defensive player.
“We know [Lions general manager Brad] Holmes likes the idea of prove-it deals,” Pouncy added in an email. “It’s hard to imagine a finer fit than White. He’d be joining a contender, and the Lions may provide him the opportunity to re-establish himself as the league’s top cornerback.”
Last summer, the Lions made a similar move by signing Emmanuel Moseley, who had been lost to a torn ACL the year before. It didn’t go well for the Lions, as Moseley tore his ACL again just two snaps into his first game back.
White was a casualty of Buffalo’s roster revamp, which included the release of several senior players this week, resulting in more than $30 million in cap space. The Bills also released veteran centre Mitch Morse and safety Jordan Poyer, and edge rusher Von Miller’s deal was reworked to reduce his base salary while increasing incentives.
Lions Work on Secondary
The Lions began to address their secondary this week, announcing on March 5 that they would bring Moseley back on a one-year contract. They may need to find help in the secondary, since Gardner-Johnson is rumoured to return to the Philadelphia Eagles this summer.
However, there may be more additions in the future. According to Christian Booher of SI.com’s All Lions, the team could look to add former All-Pro Stephon Gilmore to the secondary as another affordable option. According to Booher, Gilmore already has a connection to Detroit’s players and may provide much-needed depth and leadership.
“In his prime, Gilmore was one of the league’s best lockdown cornerbacks. Though he may be past that age, he may still be a valuable member of an NFL secondary,” Booher wrote.
“With the Lions in severe need of defensive backfield help, Gilmore would be an ideal candidate for a short-term contract. Detroit has an advantage in the free agency sweepstakes because it presently has Gilmore’s brother, Steven, on its roster.
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