Terrion Arnold

Lions traded up with the Cowboys to select Alabama CB Terrion Arnold with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

In a pick swap with the Cowboys, the Lions traded the No. 29 overall pick and the No. 73 overall pick to move up to pick 24. Arnold (5’116/189) was considered a four-star safety prospect out of high school. He transitioned to cornerback shortly after arriving on campus in 2021 and didn’t play a snap his true freshman season as he acclimated to the pace of play at the SEC level. He started the 2022 season opener opposite Kool-Aid McKinstry and was targeted often downfield until he proved worthy of his CB2 role, leading the Tide with a 16.7 ADOT. While Arnold was overshadowed by McKinstry in 2022, he took a backseat to nobody this year by leading the SEC with 16 PBU and five interceptions with the third-highest PFF defensive grade in the Power Five. At the combine, his 1.52s 10-yard split was a strong 90th% time, but his 4.50s 40-yard dash is a less impressive 70th% mark. Arnold ran a magnificent 6.69s 3-Cone (96th%) at his pro day to go with a 10’09” broad jump (93rd%) for a rock solid 9.27 RAS that verifies the dynamism he displays on the field. His safety background is evident when it’s time to converge on a ball carrier and also in his savvy coverage instincts. Arnold is savvy enough in zone coverage to pick up his responsibility in phase but still keeps his eyes in the backfield reading before peeling off his man and making the play on the ball before the quarterback has released the ball. His oily hips and refined technique help him make up for his modest recovery speed. Arnold is one of the most projectable, scheme-versatile players from a strong 2024 cornerback group.