The Detroit Lions are reportedly adding some more competition in the defensive backfield, agreeing to terms with veteran cornerback Roger McCreary, according to multiple reports Friday, including one from ESPN.
McCreary, 26, is a former second-round pick who was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2022. He was dealt to the Los Angeles Rams at the trade deadline last season.
The move gives Detroit an extra competitor for the open job at nickel cornerback, which was vacated by the free-agent departure of Amik Robertson, who signed a two-year, $16 million pact with the Washington Commanders earlier this week.
McCreary, who played collegiately at Auburn, has 61 career appearances with 38 starts in the NFL. In 2025, he started three games and appeared in 14, allowing 28 receptions on 34 targets for 278 yards and an opponent passer rating of 108.1 with two pass breakups.
Where does McCreary play?
The majority of McCreary’s NFL snaps have come at slot cornerback, but he does have some experience on the outside. He took 662 snaps out wide during his rookie season before moving inside full-time. In 2025, he took 290 snaps in the slot and 54 out wide.
Will McCreary start for the Lions?
Detroit also signed versatile defensive back Christian Izien to a one-year deal this week and still has Ennis Rakestraw Jr., whose first two seasons have been derailed by injury. Those three figure to be in the mix for the starting nickel job.
D.J. Reed is locked into a starting job. Opposite of him, there’s uncertainty around the future of Terrion Arnold after his name was mentioned in a judicial order relating to an armed robbery and kidnapping in early February in Tampa, Florida. Arnold, through a statement from his attorney, denied any involvement in the incident.
If Arnold is unavailable, McCreary could be in line to compete for a job on the outside.
nbianchi@detroitnews.com
@nolanbianchi
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Lions adding competition at CB with Roger McCreary: reports
Reporting by Nolan Bianchi, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
