In the wake of surprising news surrounding the retirement of center Frank Ragnow, the Detroit Lions are making some strategic moves to bolster their roster. With organized team activities kicking off, the Lions have opted to swap cornerbacks, parting ways with undrafted free agent Gavin Holmes and bringing in Divaad Wilson to take his place.
Wilson, who has experience with both the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Giants, adds depth and versatility to the cornerback position. His collegiate career was impressive, showcasing his skills at both Georgia and Central Florida. In total, Wilson recorded 152 tackles, six interceptions, and one sack—numbers that underline his capability on the field. After initially beginning the 2024 season on the Cardinals’ practice squad, he was quickly snatched up by the Giants in December, emphasizing that his potential has not gone unnoticed.
On the other hand, Holmes had a solid performance at Texas, amassing 14 tackles last season, although he struggled to make an interception, only managing to deflect three passes. The Lions seem to be banking on Wilson’s talents to enhance their secondary, particularly as the cornerbacks’ room has undergone a facelift for the upcoming season.
Fan favorites Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw will stick around to provide familiarity for the Lions’ defense, but they will now be joined by new faces like former New York Jets corner D.J. Reed and veteran Rock Ya-Sin. This blend of youth and experience could be what the Lions need to make significant strides in the 2025 season.
As the Lions wrap up their organized team activities this week with sessions running from Wednesday through Friday, they are gearing up for an early start to training camp, thanks to their appearance in the Hall of Fame Game set for July 31. This proactive approach to roster adjustments showcases the Lions’ commitment to building a competitive team, ready to tackle the upcoming challenges head-on.
