Many Detroit Lions supporters thought Cameron Sutton should have left the team after his unimpressive rookie season. He’s gone now, but regrettably under more general conditions because this past week a warrant for his arrest was made public. The following day, the team let him go.
The Lions’ need for a cornerback has significantly decreased as a result of the Buccaneers’ trade for Carlton Davis and the acquisition of Amik Robertson. However, it was brought up again after Sutton’s incident, if only to discuss the possibility of drafting another veteran player before the others.
As general manager Brad Holmes put it earlier in the offseason, “you can never have too many corners.”
Therefore, even if Holmes waits until the draft to address Sutton’s absence or departure, it is improbable that he does nothing. But as things are right now, a rookie would be taking on a rather important role. There is a possibility to add a veteran through a trade or free agency.
Naturally, there is one noteworthy cornerback that could be traded that isn’t on the board. L’Jarius Sneed is headed to the Tennessee Titans, where he will undoubtedly sign the lucrative contract that eliminated the Lions from contention as the negotiations progressed.
The Lions could trade for any of these remaining, potentially available cornerbacks to replace Sutton.
5 cornerbacks Detroit Lions could trade for to replace Cameron Sutton
5. Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos
Addressing any lingering idea about Surtain to the Lions here specifically to dismiss it. If they weren’t going to pony up all the costs for Sneed, rightly or wrongly, they probably wouldn’t do if for Surtain. Yes, Surtain is three years younger, coming up on his 24th birthday in April. But he is approaching getting a contract that may reset the top of the cornerback market, and the Lions’ looming future contract extension investments are well-documented.
As young as he is, Surtain should be considered a building block for the future in Denver. They won’t have the residue of the Russell Wilson situation forever, and they’ll need good/great players in place for their next phase. They won’t give Surtain away, and he could (should?) be an exception to the recent history of cornerbacks being acquired for no better than a third-round pick.
But Surtain does fall into the category of cornerbacks the Lions could try to trade for, hence why he’s here. It’s just not very likely to happen, and never has been all that likely to happen.
