Analysts have recently connected the Detroit Lions to several veteran defenders on the trade market — a trend likely to grow following cornerback Terrion Arnold’s injury. Head coach Dan Campbell confirmed Monday that Arnold suffered a serious shoulder injury.
“Unfortunately, he’s going to be out for a while,” Campbell said. “He’s going to be out for a long time.” Campbell also noted there’s a chance Arnold could miss the remainder of the 2025 season.
Given Arnold’s situation and other injuries at the position, Detroit appears to be a prime candidate to trade for a cornerback before the NFL trade deadline. A to Z Sports’ Mike Payton recently suggested the Lions send a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Rasul Douglas.
“The Dolphins are just a loss or two away from entering full rebuild mode, and I doubt the veteran Douglas wants to be part of that,” Payton wrote. “What he might enjoy is returning to the NFC North and facing his former team, the Green Bay Packers. Douglas is still performing at a high level, and Miami could benefit from getting something in return.”
Douglas, who won a Super Bowl as a rookie with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017, has since played for the Eagles, Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, and now the Dolphins. Over his nine-year NFL career, the 30-year-old cornerback has earned roughly $26.8 million.
The veteran cornerback could be just what the Lions need right now. While he doesn’t bring long-term potential — as Douglas is only under contract through 2025 — he provides immediate stability.
Two years ago, Detroit drafted Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw to be the future of the secondary. However, both have struggled to stay healthy, limiting their development.
Adding Douglas would give the Lions an experienced starter to fill Arnold’s role for the rest of this season. By next year, Detroit could resume its original plan of grooming its young cornerbacks.
So far this season, Douglas has started three of five games, recording 19 total tackles and four pass breakups. Over his NFL career, he has started 83 games, including 15 last season with the Buffalo Bills, when he tallied 58 tackles and five passes defended.
Trading for Douglas would allow the Lions to address their cornerback needs at a minimal cost — a sixth-round pick is a small price for a proven starter, even if it’s only for part of the season.
There’s a real chance Terrion Arnold could miss the rest of the 2025 season, making it logical for the Lions to pursue a veteran cornerback with starting experience.
Rasul Douglas seems like an ideal fit for Detroit because, if Arnold does return later in the year, Douglas has the flexibility to move into a backup role.
Douglas has been heavily involved in Miami’s defense this season, playing 90% of the team’s snaps, though he didn’t start in two games. Throughout his career, even as a regular starter, he’s proven capable of stepping in off the bench when needed.
With Arnold sidelined, the Lions are expected to lean more on veterans Amik Robertson, Rock Ya-Sin, and Avonte Maddox. Meanwhile, D.J. Reed and Khalil Dorsey are also out, leaving Detroit’s cornerback depth thin. Bringing in Douglas would provide valuable depth and stability to the secondary.
Robertson, who started four games for the Lions last season, impressed in his first start of 2025 with six tackles, a pass breakup, and an interception. Ya-Sin and Maddox, both in their first seasons with Detroit, have also contributed — Ya-Sin with nine tackles and two pass defenses, and Maddox with six tackles so far this year.