The Detroit Lions reshaped parts of their roster this offseason after falling short of the playoffs in 2025. One of the biggest changes came in the secondary, where the team allowed Amik Robertson to leave in free agency.

Detroit responded by keeping Rock Ya-Sin and later signing Roger McCreary to a one-year deal worth $1.402 million.

While McCreary appears to be the early favorite to compete for the starting slot cornerback role, a recent development could give Detroit another intriguing option.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Indianapolis Colts granted veteran cornerback Kenny Moore II his release on Thursday.

With Moore now available, the Lions may want to consider bringing the experienced defensive back to Detroit and letting him compete for the starting slot position.

Why Kenny Moore Could Be a Strong Fit for Detroit

McCreary originally entered the NFL as a second-round pick in the 2022 draft by the Tennessee Titans. Over four seasons with Tennessee, he appeared in 55 games, recording 253 tackles, 17 pass breakups and three interceptions.

However, his production declined in recent seasons. During the 2022 and 2023 campaigns when he started 10 or more games, McCreary surrendered over 60 receptions and more than 600 receiving yards in coverage.

After being traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 2025, he struggled to earn playing time and logged just 110 defensive snaps. As a result, McCreary still has to prove he can be a reliable full-time starter.

Moore, on the other hand, brings a much more established résumé.

Kenny Moore’s Experience Could Upgrade Lions Secondary

Moore is a nine-year NFL veteran with 111 career starts. Over the past six seasons, he has consistently been one of the league’s most dependable slot cornerbacks, logging at least 500 snaps in the slot each year.

In addition to his coverage skills, Moore is also known for his physical run defense. According to Pro Football Focus, he has posted a run-defense grade of 73 or higher multiple times in recent seasons.

From a pass-coverage standpoint, Moore has also been productive. He has allowed fewer than 550 receiving yards in five of his nine NFL seasons, including last year — a mark that would represent an improvement over McCreary’s recent performances.

Lions Have the Cap Space to Make the Move

Another factor working in Detroit’s favor is financial flexibility. The Lions currently have approximately $22 million in available salary cap space, according to OverTheCap.

Because Moore was released in May, Detroit could negotiate a relatively team-friendly contract if the veteran is interested in joining a contender.

The Lions have already made several offseason additions to strengthen their roster, but improving the secondary remains a priority. Adding a former Pro Bowl slot corner like Moore could give Detroit another experienced option in the defensive backfield.

For a team looking to rebound in 2026, bringing in Moore might be a move worth serious consideration.