The Detroit Lions haven’t ignored their secondary problem. If anything, they’ve attacked it from every angle imaginable under head coach Dan Campbell.

Draft picks. Trades. Free agents. Coaching tweaks.

And yet, here we are again, staring at a cornerback room that still feels unfinished.

That’s why Pro Football Focus analyst Bradley Locker believes the Lions should dip back into free agency this offseason, and why one name, in particular, makes a lot of sense: cornerback Roger McCreary.

Why Roger McCreary Fits What Detroit Needs

Locker’s argument starts with a simple truth. Despite investing real resources into the secondary over the past two seasons, Detroit still has holes, especially inside.

Amik Robertson is no longer under contract, and the Lions don’t have a clear long-term answer at slot corner. That’s where McCreary enters the conversation.

At just 25 years old, McCreary offers something Detroit values: youth paired with experience. Over his four-year NFL career, he’s posted a solid 70.0 overall PFF grade, including a 68.7 coverage mark. Those numbers alone make him interesting, but his 2025 performance raised eyebrows across the league.

After being traded midseason, McCreary finished the year strong, earning a 79.4 PFF coverage grade. He was targeted sparingly, allowing just 6.9 snaps per target—tied for fourth-best among slot corners.

That’s the kind of efficiency the Lions desperately need.

From Second-Round Pick to Free-Agent Target

McCreary entered the league with expectations. The Tennessee Titans selected him No. 35 overall in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, betting on his physicality, instincts, and versatility.

By the end of his rookie contract, he found himself on the move, dealt at the 2025 trade deadline before finishing the season with the Los Angeles Rams. In 14 games during the 2025 campaign, McCreary totaled:

• 37 combined tackles
• Two pass defenses
• One interception
• One sack

Those aren’t shutdown-corner numbers, but they paint the picture of a player who can do a little bit of everything—and do it consistently.

Inside-Outside Versatility Matters in Detroit

One of the most appealing aspects of McCreary’s game is his flexibility. He’s comfortable in the slot, but he’s also capable of holding his own on the outside if needed.

That versatility matters for a Lions defense that values adaptability and physicality on the back end. Detroit doesn’t necessarily need a flashy, headline-grabbing corner. They need someone reliable, durable, and ready to play meaningful snaps right away.

McCreary checks those boxes.

The Bottom Line

The Lions’ secondary doesn’t need another experiment—it needs stability.

Roger McCreary isn’t a perfect solution, but he represents a younger, proven option with starting upside and scheme versatility. If Detroit decides to attack free agency again this March, McCreary feels like the kind of calculated move that fits where this roster is right now.

Sometimes, fixing a problem isn’t about finding a superstar. It’s about finding the right piece.

And McCreary might be exactly that.

The post PFF Names One Free Agent the Detroit Lions Should Target This Offseason appeared first on Detroit Sports Nation.

Another familiar name from Dan Campbell’s coaching tree is on the move.

Former Detroit Lions assistant Tanner Engstrand has landed a new NFL opportunity, as he is joining the Atlanta Falcons as their offensive passing game coordinator. The hire continues a steady rise for Engstrand, whose résumé now includes coordinator experience at both the professional and collegiate levels.

Engstrand’s Path Through College Football

Before reaching the NFL, Engstrand built an extensive foundation at the college level, particularly at the University of San Diego.

He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant before quickly moving into position coaching roles, working with running backs and quarterbacks. Over time, Engstrand earned increased responsibility, eventually serving as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. His long tenure at San Diego culminated with him holding the titles of assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach — a rare level of trust for a young offensive mind.

That college success led to a brief stop at Michigan in 2018, where he worked as an offensive analyst and further expanded his exposure to high-level offensive systems.

Breaking Into the NFL With Detroit

Engstrand’s NFL break came in 2020 when he joined the Detroit Lions as an offensive assistant. As Dan Campbell took over and reshaped the organization, Engstrand steadily climbed the staff hierarchy.

He served as an offensive quality control coach in 2021 before taking on a larger role in 2022 as tight ends coach and passing game coordinator. By 2023 and 2024, Engstrand had become Detroit’s full-time passing game coordinator, working closely with the Lions’ offensive staff during one of the most productive stretches in franchise history.

His growth mirrored the rise of Detroit’s offense, and it wasn’t long before his name began circulating for coordinator opportunities around the league.

Aaron Glenn Reunion in New York

That opportunity arrived in 2025.

After former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn left Detroit to become head coach of the New York Jets, he brought Engstrand with him. Engstrand served as the Jets’ offensive coordinator during the 2025 season, marking his first full season calling plays at the NFL level.

The move further solidified Engstrand’s reputation as a coach capable of adapting systems, managing an offense, and developing players — experience that proved crucial for his next step.

Why Atlanta Makes Sense

Now, Engstrand heads to Atlanta to join head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offensive staff as the Falcons’ passing game coordinator. The hire reflects Atlanta’s focus on modernizing its offensive approach and adding coaches with both coordinator experience and system versatility.

For Lions fans, Engstrand’s latest move is another example of Detroit’s coaching influence spreading across the league. From assistants turning into coordinators to former staffers being targeted by head coaches elsewhere, the Lions’ coaching tree continues to grow.

At just 43 years old, Engstrand’s trajectory suggests this may not be his final stop. But for now, Atlanta gains an experienced, fast-rising offensive mind — one shaped in large part by his time in Detroit.

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