The Detroit Lions selected Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold with the No. 24 pick in Thursday’s first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Lions traded picks 29 and 73 to the Dallas Cowboys for No. 24 and a 2025 seventh-rounder.
Unlike his classmate and secondary partner Kool-Aid McKinstry, who earned a starting role as a freshman and spent two-plus years as a marquee member of Nick Saban’s defense, Arnold took a gradual path in his three-year college career before cementing himself as a first-round talent. After redshirting as a freshman and being benched after a 2022 loss to Tennessee — a moment he cited publicly this spring as a turning point in his career — Arnold shined in his lone year as an every-game starter, tied for the SEC lead in passes defended (17) and interceptions (5).
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‘The Beast’ breakdown
Arnold ranked No. 10 in Dane Brugler’s Top 300 big board. Here’s what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide:
“Arnold offers an ideal blend of cover athleticism and competitive makeup, with the ball skills to make plays at every level of the field. He is scheme-versatile and has the talent to work inside or outside. He can be an NFL team’s No. 1 cornerback, offering a skill set similar to that of the Chicago Bears’ Jaylon Johnson.”
Coaching intel
What two anonymous coaches had to say about Arnold in Bruce Feldman’s mock draft:
“He kept getting better and better. He’s good at everything. I think he could play anywhere in the secondary and shine.”
“Kool-Aid (McKinstry) was the guy who the media talked about more, but in my opinion, Arnold is more talented.”
Why he’s a first-round pick
Arnold drew rave reviews for a media performance at the NFL Scouting Combine that reflected the competitiveness and confidence he shows between the lines. Those traits meshed with his ball-hawking instincts seamlessly during his extremely productive 2023, helping him emerge as a punishing presence for offenses that wanted to avoid McKinstry at all costs.
“I’ll take that”
–@ArnoldTerrion📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/P7mbBxVlPb
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) November 11, 2023
Nick Baumgardner grades the pick
The local fans in Detroit were concerned the Lions might trade out of the first round. But when the corners started falling, Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell couldn’t help but pick up the phone. Detroit trades up five spots, from No. 29 to No. 24 and fills a big need. Arnold and Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell were pretty clearly the top two corners in this draft. Top 15 prospects on my board.
For Detroit, Arnold fills an obvious need and is a perfect fit for Detroit’s culture. He is a confident corner who plays with swag, he loves to work, he loves tough coaching and he loves to win. Arnold also gets to reunite with Brian Branch in a new-look Detroit secondary. Another great value pick. Grade: A.
How he fits
Arnold, to put it simply, fits like a glove. He was arguably the top cornerback in the 2024 draft. He was Nick Saban’s favorite Alabama prospect in this class. He’s known for his football IQ, ability to communicate, competitive drive and desire to be great. At Alabama last year, he recorded 17 passes defended and was the only FBS player with at least five interceptions and 12 PDs. He’s versatile, having played both inside and outside in his collegiate career. The Lions had a long-term need at the position, with Carlton Davis III on a one-year deal and Amik Robertson added to compete for a starting job. They don’t anymore. Arnold, if he hits, gives them the guy for whom they’ve been looking. GM Brad Holmes said he started making calls to teams in the teens to trade up for Arnold, and seemed surprised that he was able to get Arnold at No. 24. He was the No. 1 corner on Holmes’ board.
Rookie impact
The main goal for Arnold should be to grow as a rookie. This offseason, the Lions re-worked their cornerback room to add Davis and Robertson, while re-signing Emmanuel Moseley. In the process, though, they allowed themselves the opportunity to let Arnold develop over time if he’s not immediately ready to start. That’s what happens when you try to eliminate needs in free agency. The Lions have a roster that’ll be hard for a rookie to crack the starting lineup, and that’s by design. That said, a player of Arnold’s caliber can challenge.
Depth-chart impact
Even though the Lions could let Arnold develop, he is talented enough to start immediately for a secondary that has gotten better every year. Remember when Detroit drafted Brian Branch? The initial belief was that C.J. Gardner-Johnson would start at nickel, and Branch would sit for a year. That didn’t happen. Branch was so good, so early, the Lions moved Gardner-Johnson to safety. At this point, it’s safe to pencil in Davis as a starter, considering his experience as a man corner and the capital the Lions traded to acquire him. But beyond that, the CB2 role should be up for grabs. Robertson was brought in to compete for a starting gig and the Lions were thrilled to add him into the mix. But Arnold is the future here. It’s a matter of when, not if, he starts for this franchise. Training camp should be fun.
They also could have picked …
Few players were a better fit for the Lions than Arnold, especially after they traded up to get him. Holmes always talks about drafting players they love, not positions they need. Arnold always felt like their guy. That said, a few other prospects that could’ve made sense: DB Cooper DeJean, DT Johnny Newton, edge Darius Robinson, fellow ‘Bama cornerback McKinstry and Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson felt like fits in this range.
Fast evaluation
The Lions needed a long-term corner and got one in Arnold, arguably the top corner in the draft. He gives them another young, potential building block to add to a budding list of them. He’s feisty, has a short memory, confidence in his game, defends the run well and has all the tools to be a potential CB1. The Lions had to part ways with pick No. 73 in the third round to acquire Arnold’s services, but considering their roster doesn’t have many needs, it’s a fair price to get the guy they believe in.
(Photo: Butch Dill / USA Today)
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