The Detroit Lions are among the teams with the most cap space heading into free agency.
Whether or not the Lions will elect to spend on external free agents remains to be seen. The team established itself as a contender with its run to the NFC Championship game, and can bolster its chances at immediate success by adding veteran talent.
Among their biggest areas of need is at the cornerback position. Considered among the most valuable positions, top free agents will command a hefty amount.
The Bears’ top-rated defender in 2023 by Pro Football Focus, Johnson enjoyed a superb season in Chicago. He had four interceptions, and notched 10 passes defensed, along with 36 tackles.
He’s a bonafide top coverage corner, as evidenced by his 33.3 passer rating allowed this year, per PFF. Additionally, he allowed just a 50 percent completion percentage on passes thrown his way.
The Lions didn’t have a true shutdown corner in 2023. Cam Sutton had an up-and-down year as the team’s top option, and really struggled to contain top wideouts late in the year and throughout the playoffs.
A lanky and athletic cornerback, Johnson has the ability to use his range to track deep passes, while still being a threat in the short game. He also has proven production as a boundary corner, which is exactly what the Lions need.
As a result, the organization would definitely benefit from examining the market and trying to acquire a top player at the position.
However, a long-term commitment further complicates things. Detroit has several key players that are due for extensions and entering contract years, including quarterback Jared Goff and wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown.
