Detroit Lions 2026 NFL Draft Needs: Cornerback injury report
The Lions CB's went through some injuries in 2025. Does this affect the need for the 2026 NFL Draft?
The 2026 NFL Draft is fast approaching which makes it a good time to review the Lions' positional needs and how it may impact their draft strategy. Last year, defensive tackle got the biggest combined need score , and the Lions indeed filled that position in the 1st round with Tyleik Williams. For the complete defensive positional breakdown, read Detroit Lions 2026 Draft Needs: DEFENSE Positional Rankings + Injury Impact.
For the offensive positional breakdown, read Detroit Lions 2026 Draft Needs: OFFENSE Positional Rankings + Injury Impact. The following is the review of the Lions' CB position. The combined need score is the summation of positional need (0-5) plus medical concern level (0-5).
The higher the score, the greater the need. I’m reserving the focus to the starters and key backups here, with health of the starters weighted more heavily. (In parentheses are player age at the start of the 2026 season, signed-through year, and medical concern level.
) *Projected starters. Cornerback *DJ Reed (29, 2027, 4/10) - A significant hamstring affected much of last season, and he may not have fully returned to form by the end of the season. Can he regain his form for 2026?