Lions linked to roster move with ex-Rams, Titans CB that would be disappointing

The Detroit Lions need to find a way to upgrade their secondary, as their selection of Terrion Arnold didn't work out, and now they have some questions at the cornerback position.

Rock Ya-Sin is projected as one starter, while D.J. Reed is the other outside cornerback. But in the slot, former Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Rams veteran CB Roger McCreary is slated to start.

However, Bleacher Report's Moe Moton named McCreary as the one player the Lions should cut this summer, as the veteran CB hasn't really impressed, and rookie Keith Abney II could take over right away.

Lions urged to release Roger McCreary for disappointing roster move

"Detroit signed McCreary to a one-year, $1.4 million deal," Moton writes. "So the Lions can cut him without much dead cap penalty. Although he has a clear pathway to the Lions' lead slot cornerback position, his mediocre performances at practice could cost him a roster spot."

With McCreary reportedly being underwhelming at training camp, the Lions could decide to move on and try the rookie Abney in the slot for this upcoming season.

Last year with the Titans and Rams, McCreary didn't really play all that well, allowing a 110.2 passer rating in 14 games played. His career-best came in 2023 when he allowed just an 85.3 passer rating.

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If the Lions were confident they could get that player, then McCreary would be on the roster. But even if he's somewhere between the 2023 and 2025 versions of his CB play, he'd be worth keeping.

The issue is that with Abney an intriguing rookie option who could push for the starting job, McCreary's lackluster camp, and his $1.4 million deal, moving on from the veteran CB would not take a whole lot for the Lions to justify.

Moton's urging of the Lions to release him might be a little harsh, but if there's any belief in Abney being a decent starting slot cornerback in the NFL, and McCreary struggles, there's little reason to keep the veteran CB.

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