The Lions revamped their secondary this offseason, including drafting cornerbacks with their first two picks of the 2024 draft in Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw. Detroit also traded for Carlton Davis from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
One other player that should help make an impact, when healthy, is Emmanuel Moseley. Moseley has suffered a torn ACL in each of the last two seasons, including last October, just two snaps into his Lions debut. Moseley was cleared to practice just days before the team began practice and is already in the mix in the backfield. He received the first reps at the nickel position, a spot he has grown very comfortable with since his early days in San Francisco.
“That’s really how I made (the 49ers) those years is being able to play both nickel and (outside) corner,” Moseley said, via Justin Rogers of Detroit Football Network. “Played nickel a few games, started getting the hang of it and started loving it. Then they switched me outside and I did pretty good there, but it gave me the confidence that I could play both. Playing both lets me learn the defense, in and out. If I can play both, I’m going to learn it faster and be able to contribute more.”
Moseley loves how physical the position is and how he fits very well in the spot. “At the nickel, you’re in that run game and I’m a physical player,” Moseley said (H/T Rogers). “I like to hit. That’s one of my things, I like to put my face in the fan and make people feel me. That’s what I love about nickel.”
Moseley has played a full season just once, in 2019, but when healthy, he can be a factor on defense. He has an interception in each of the last four seasons he has played in with 33 passes defended. He’ll be part of what should be an interesting battle behind Davis and Arnold among the cornerbacks. But being cleared and getting early reps is a huge win for Moseley.