The Detroit Lions have checked in on Kenny Moore II, a veteran slot cornerback who appears to be moving toward a new team in the near future. With the secondary dealing with injury uncertainty, it is a sensible inquiry from Dan Campbell's team.
Mike Garafolo reported on Sunday, before the 1 p.m. ET games, that the Lions were among the teams that had checked in on Moore II. Garafolo also said Moore has interest from multiple teams in need of cornerback help because of depth reasons and injury reasons, and that he expects the former Pro Bowler to sign with a team soon.
Why Kenny Moore is drawing attention
Moore II is available after the Indianapolis Colts released him this spring following a failed trade search. That made him one of the more experienced defensive backs on the market, and it is easy to see why clubs looking for stability would take a close look.
The 5-foot-9, 190-pound defensive back entered the NFL in 2017 as an undrafted free agent out of Valdosta State. Before the start of the season, he was first picked up by the New England Patriots and then claimed by the Indianapolis Colts, where he spent nine seasons.
That longevity matters. Over 132 games and 111 starts, Moore built a reputation as a dependable slot corner, with his best season coming in 2021 when he recorded four interceptions, 13 passes defended and earned his lone Pro Bowl selection.
What he brings to the Lions
For the Lions, this is about more than adding another body. The secondary has already been tested after Thursday's game against the Buffalo Bills, when Avonte Maddox suffered a foot injury. Christian Izien was also injured prior to Week 1, which only adds to the uncertainty.
That is the real issue here. The Lions do not just need talent; they need a player who can settle a moving part of the defense. Moore has shown that he can handle that role, and his run-defense grades of 86.2 in 2019, 80.5 in 2022 and 84.4 last season suggest he has remained effective in different phases of his career.
The Lions are not alone in looking for help, and Garafolo's reporting makes that clear. But the fact they have checked in on Moore tells you the need is real. If he is indeed close to a deal, Detroit will need to decide whether it wants to move quickly and add proven experience before the market closes around him.
For a team trying to stabilize its defensive backfield, this is the kind of veteran move that can make sense fast. The next step will be whether the Lions are willing to push further and whether Moore's market lets them do it.
