Allen Park — According to USA Today, the Detroit Lions are one of six clubs expressing interest in Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. Sneed acquired the non-exclusive franchise tag ahead of free agency, indicating that he could be available for the right price.
The nonexclusive tag enables Sneed to communicate with other teams. If the cornerback were to play on the franchise tag next season, he would receive a fully guaranteed $19.8 million.
Sneed, 27, has been a significant part of Kansas City’s defensive success. He’s started 28 48 games over the last three seasons, first breaking into the starting lineup as a fourth-round rookie in 2020. And with 900 snaps as an outside cornerback last season? Sneed checks a ton of boxes regarding needs and wants around these parts in an upgrade to the CB1 position.
USA Today reports that the Lions are joined in their inquiry of Sneed by the Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars.
It’s potentially Detroit’s greatest need this offseason. And it’s a position they’ve already been making moves at, with Emmanuel Moseley re-signing and former starter Jerry Jacobs being told he won’t be tendered for another season. Neither of those moves should surprise anyone.
Moseley is coming off another ACL injury. But the veteran cornerback remained with the Lions and in the locker room until the conclusion of the season, so this is a low-risk reunion. Jacobs was benched down the stretch, finally losing his position to Kindle Vildor opposite Cam Sutton.
Sutton is one year into the three-year contract he signed during free agency. He was undoubtedly in need of assistance back there. However, it became evident early on that he was better suited to a CB2 role. That’s where acquiring someone like Sneed may help the defense.
The Lions allowed 6.7 net passing yards per attempt last year, the 29th-ranked mark in the NFL. They also got destroyed by some of the league’s best playmakers down the stretch and into the postseason. And while that’s going to happen in this league, it’s something they likely need to clean up if they want to break through to the next level of contending teams.
Sneed has 10 interceptions through his first four seasons, 6.5 sacks, and 19 tackles for loss. He balances the line between ball hawk and playmaker at the line of scrimmage to a degree that should interest defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Co. He’s already a two-time Super Bowl champion, entering his prime with a ton of experience in the spotlight.
He started his career in the slot, then took his game to new heights with the move to the outside in 2022. Sneed has continued to bring another flavor against the run and as a pass rusher despite the move outside. And that makes him a fit around these parts, with the Lions generating a ton of pressure from blitzes via the secondary.
Sneed was ranked 32nd among cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus both during the regular season and playoffs. He surrendered 53 receptions on 102 targets (the eighth highest in the league) for 545 yards and only two touchdowns. Throughout the season, Sneed allowed a 55.9 passer rating when targeted. He also added 23 run stuffs and six pressures, according to the statistics website.
The Lions have Sutton at CB1, breakthrough rookie Brian Branch in the slot, and Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu back at safety. Adding Sneed would bring a starting-level outside cornerback to town, providing the necessary versatility in a pinch.
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