ALLEN PARK — According to USA Today, the Detroit Lions are one of six teams who have inquired about Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. Before he entered free agency, Sneed was given the non-exclusive franchise tag, indicating that he might be available for the right amount of money.
With the nonexclusive tag, Sneed can communicate with other groups. The cornerback’s contract would be for a fully guaranteed $19.8 million if he were to play next season under the franchise tag.
The 27-year-old Sneed has contributed significantly to Kansas City’s defensive prowess. Over the past three seasons, he has started 2848 games. In 2020, as a fourth-round rookie, he made his starting debut. And from last season, with 900 snaps as an outside cornerback? In order to advance to the CB1 role, Sneed fulfills a great deal of demands and wants in this area.
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According to USA Today, the Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, and Jacksonville Jaguars have joined the Lions in their investigation of Sneed.
It might be the most important summer necessity for Detroit. They’ve already started making moves at this position; former starter Jerry Jacobs has been informed he won’t be tendered for another season, and Emmanuel Moseley has re-signed. Nobody should be surprised by either of those actions.
Moseley recently recovered from another ACL injury. However, it’s a low-risk reunion as the seasoned cornerback remained with the Lions and in the locker room until the end of the season. Down the stretch, Jacobs was benched and ultimately lost his position to Cam Sutton’s opposite, Kindle Vildor.
Sutton signed a three-year contract in free agency, and he is one year into it. Clearly, he needed some assistance back there. But relatively early in his time with the team, it became evident that he was more suited for a CB2 role. This is where Sneed’s addition could strengthen this defense.
Last season, the Lions allowed 6.7 net passing yards per attempt, which was 29th in the NFL. Toward the end of the season and into the postseason, they were also annihilated by some of the top players in the league. And while that’s inevitable in this league, they probably need to address it if they are to advance to the next tier of competitive teams.
Sneed has 19 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and 10 interceptions in his first four seasons. He strikes a good mix at the line of scrimmage between being a ball hawk and a playmaker, which should intrigue defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and colleagues. He’s hitting his peak and has a ton of spotlight experience having previously won two Super Bowls.
After beginning his career in the slot, he moved to the outside in 2022, where he elevated his game to new levels. Despite moving outside, Sneed has maintained his unique style both as a pass rusher and against the run. And given how much pressure the Lions create with their secondary blitzes, that makes him a perfect match here.
Sneed was ranked 32nd among cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus throughout the regular season and postseason. He gave up 53 receptions for 545 yards and just two touchdowns on 102 targets, which is the eighth-highest total in the league. Sneed gave up a 55.9 passer rating when targeted during the season. According to the statistics website, he also added six pressures and 23 run stuffs.
The Lions start Sutton at wide receiver, slot receiver Brian Branch, who is having a breakout season, and backup safety Ifeatu Melifonwu and Kerby Joseph. Sneed’s addition would provide the team with a starting outside cornerback, providing the much-needed
