The Detroit Lions were without starting safety Ifeatu Melifonwu for their season opener on September 8. Instead of signing a new safety for backup, the Bleacher Report NFL scouting department suggested that the Lions should prioritize acquiring cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon.
On September 9, the Bleacher Report NFL scouting team highlighted Witherspoon as the key player the Lions should pursue immediately. They noted that cornerback has been a persistent issue for the Lions since last season.
Despite efforts by the front office to address this position during the offseason, the injury reserve status of Emmanuel Moseley continues to highlight the team’s vulnerability in this area.Witherspoon, currently the top cornerback available, comes off a standout season with the Rams, where he recorded a career-high 14 passes defended.
His addition would strengthen the Lions’ secondary and potentially offer another starting option.
Last season with the Los Angeles Rams, Witherspoon accumulated 52 combined tackles, including 3 tackles for loss, 14 pass defenses, 2 interceptions, and 2 fumble recoveries.
It’s surprising that he has yet to secure a new contract for the 2024 season, especially after his breakout performance in 2023.
In 2023, Witherspoon started all 17 regular-season games and a playoff game for the Rams. He set career highs with 52 combined tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 14 pass defenses, while also matching his career best of 3 interceptions.
Although his Pro Football Focus (PFF) player grade was average, this could be attributed to his increased playing time, as he logged 1,115 defensive snaps and 692 coverage snaps compared to 2022’s 248 defensive snaps and 162 coverage snaps.This increase in playing time likely exposed him to more opportunities where mistakes could be made.
Additionally, Witherspoon’s tackle grade was quite low at 36 out of 100, which might have impacted his overall PFF defensive grade. He did receive favorable grades for run defense but was rated average in coverage.
Despite starting every game last season, Witherspoon had 40 starts under his belt before joining the Rams, having spent his first four NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and the following two with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
His extensive experience and impressive recent season make him a valuable asset to any team’s secondary.
The Bleacher Report scouting department pointed out that, given the Lions’ current situation with Emmanuel Moseley sidelined, Witherspoon could be a valuable addition. However, it remains uncertain whether Moseley would have started even if he were healthy.
The Lions had traded for Carlton Davis on the first day of free agency and selected Terrion Arnold in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, both of whom started in Week 1 against the Rams.
Arnold received a PFF player grade of 57.8 in his debut, with notable issues including two pass interference penalties that contributed to Rams’ points in the second half.
Despite these mistakes, Lions’ coach Dan Campbell expressed a desire not to overly criticize Arnold, emphasizing the need for him to remain aggressive.
Arnold played 76 of the team’s 78 defensive snaps in Week 1, while Davis participated in every snap.Witherspoon’s role in the Lions’ cornerback rotation remains uncertain.
He is unlikely to start but could provide significant depth, especially with Brian Branch splitting time between safety and cornerback while Melifonwu is out.
In summary, while the Lions have made moves to bolster their cornerback position, the addition of a veteran like Witherspoon, who has demonstrated significant potential and experience, could further enhance their secondary.
His presence might not only offer immediate improvement but also depth and competition among the cornerbacks as the season progresses.
