ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions are reportedly one of six other teams to reach out about Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, per USA Today. Sneed received the non-exclusive franchise tag ahead of free agency, signaling he might be available for the right price.
The nonexclusive tag allows Sneed to talk with other teams. If the cornerback were to play on the franchise tag next season, his deal would be for 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.
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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 was present with the Lions and in the locker room through the end of the season, and it’s a low-risk reunion. Jacobs was benched down the stretch, eventually losing his spot to Kindle Vildor opposite Cam Sutton.
Sutton is one year into the three-year deal he signed in free agency. He needed some help back there, no doubt. But it was clear that he was better suited for a CB2 role pretty early in his tenure with the team. And that’s where adding someone like Sneed could bolster this 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.
Pro Football Focus ranked Sneed 32nd among cornerbacks through the season and playoffs. He allowed 53 catches on 102 targets (eighth most in the league) for 545 yards and only two touchdowns. During the season, Sneed allowed a 55.9 passer rating when targeted. He also added 23 run stuffs and six pressures, per the analytics site.
The Lions have Sutton at CB1, with breakout rookie Brian Branch in the slot, not to mention Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu back deep at safety. Adding someone like Sneed would bring a starting-level outside cornerback to town, bringing that desired versatility in a pinch.
