ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The NFL draft enabled the Detroit Lions to turn a potential weakness into a strength by selecting cornerbacks with their first two picks.
The Lions traded up five spots in Thursday’s first round to select Terrion Arnold from Alabama and followed it up by taking Ennis Rakestraw from Missouri with their second-round pick Friday.
Detroit, which made it to the NFC championship game last season, finished 27th against the pass overall and allowed the second-most passing yards per game in the playoffs.
The Lions’ additions in the draft — along with trading for Carlton Davis, re-signing Emmanuel Moseley and Khalil Dorsey and signing free agent Amik Robertson — are expected to lead to intense battles in training camp.
“Yeah, it’s a bloodbath in there now,” Lions general manager Brad Holmes said of his team’s cornerback room. “It is, and that’s what makes everything better. It makes the room better, it makes the defense better, it makes the team better. Competition just brings the best out of everybody.”
US defender John Brooks to leave German club Hoffenheim
For Boston Marathon's last 100 years, it all starts in Hopkinton
Xi: Accelerate upgrading of industries
Austrian leader lauds UK's efforts on migration and cites its plan for deportations to Rwanda
Salvador Perez homers, Bobby Witt Jr. scores 4 times as Royals beat Mets 11
Active role of overseas Chinese hailed at event
Feature: Rafah drowning in tears as Palestinians bid farewell to loved ones for survival
Guardians ruin Francisco Lindor's Cleveland homecoming, trip Mets 3
Feature: Rafah drowning in tears as Palestinians bid farewell to loved ones for survival
Vikings seek new deal with Justin Jefferson; star WR absent so far from workouts, AP source says
Chinese vice premier calls for rule of data for sustainable development