The injury bug hasn't just bitten the Detroit Lions' secondary; it has devoured it whole.
In the wake of the devastating news surrounding Terrion Arnold's long-term injury, a sense of crisis is palpable. But even before that crucial blow was dealt, the Lions' front office was reportedly already scanning the market for reinforcements. Now, with their cornerback depth chart looking perilously thin, a new and intriguing name has surfaced as a potential lifeline.
According to a report from NFL insider Aaron Wilson, the Lions are among a competitive group of five teams exploring the possibility of signing free-agent cornerback Tre Hawkins. Detroit finds itself in a race for his services alongside other formidable franchises like the San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, and Indianapolis Colts, indicating that Hawkins is a commodity with considerable league-wide interest.
So, who is Tre Hawkins, and why is he drawing so much attention? At first glance, his profile is exactly what you'd build in a lab for a modern NFL cornerback. He's young at just 25 years old, possesses a rare combination of size at 6-foot-3, and boasts elite speed, having clocked an electrifying 4.39-second 40-yard dash. This blend of youth and top-tier athleticism is a tantalizing prospect for any defensive coordinator.
As a sixth-round pick for the New York Giants in 2023, he was thrown into the fire early, appearing in all 17 games of his rookie campaign and even earning three starts. While his overall Pro Football Focus grade of 52.6 and a single pass breakup might not jump off the page, there's a crucial detail that makes him a fascinating fit for Detroit. And this is the part most people miss... Hawkins earned an exceptional 74.5 grade in run defense. For a Lions defensive scheme that demands its cornerbacks be aggressive, physical participants in stopping the run, this isn't just a bonus—it's a prerequisite.
He also flashed his ball-hawking potential last season, securing his first career interception in a Week 14 matchup before his season was cut short.
But here's where it gets controversial, and the risk factor skyrockets. Hawkins' career has been significantly hampered by injuries. He is currently working his way back from a hamstring injury he sustained during the Giants' training camp, which led to him being waived from their injured reserve list on September 9th. The exact timeline for his return to full health remains unclear. Compounding this concern is the fact that a lumbar spine injury suffered in that same game where he got his interception ended his season prematurely last year.
This leads to the million-dollar question for the Lions' front office: Is adding another player with a significant injury history the answer to a problem created by injuries?
It’s a high-stakes gamble born out of necessity. The Lions' cornerback room is in a state of emergency. They've already lost their 2024 second-round pick, Ennis Rakestraw, to a season-ending injury. Last week, their number one corner, D.J. Reed, was placed on injured reserve, and it’s expected that both Terrion Arnold and Khalil Dorsey will soon join him. This catastrophic series of events leaves the team with just three healthy cornerbacks on the active 53-man roster: Amik Robertson, Rock Ya-Sin, and Avonte Maddox. While they have players like Erik Hallett on the practice squad, these are considered temporary fixes, not foundational solutions.
Ultimately, pursuing Tre Hawkins is a classic high-risk, high-reward proposition. His physical upside and proven willingness to tackle make him an ideal schematic fit. Yet, his injury history presents a massive red flag for a team that desperately needs reliability.
What's your take on this? Is signing a talent like Hawkins a shrewd gamble worth taking, or is it a desperate move that could easily backfire? Should the Lions instead pursue a less athletic but more durable veteran? We want to hear your opinion in the comments below!
