The Detroit Lions have checked in on Kenny Moore II, putting the veteran cornerback on their radar as they look for help in the secondary. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said the Lions are among several teams that have reached out, and he expects Moore to land with a team in the very near future.
That interest comes after Detroit’s defense took a hit against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football, when Avonte Maddox suffered a foot injury. The Lions had already spent the summer sorting out the nickel spot, and Christian Izien appeared to have the job before his injury prior to Week 1. For a team that has been forced to keep adjusting, Moore offers a familiar kind of answer: a veteran slot corner with nine seasons of NFL experience and one Pro Bowl nod.
Moore, who is currently a free agent, was released by the Indianapolis Colts in the spring after the team failed to find a trade partner. He entered the league in 2017 as an undrafted free agent out of Valdosta State, first landing with the New England Patriots before being claimed by the Colts before the start of the season. He went on to play 132 games over nine seasons in Indianapolis, starting 111 of them and building his reputation as a steady slot cornerback.
His resume still carries weight. Moore had four interceptions and 13 passes defended in 2021, when he earned his lone Pro Bowl selection. He also posted PFF run-defense grades of 86.2 in 2019, 80.5 in 2022 and 84.4 last season, production that helps explain why teams are lining up around him now. Garafolo said there is interest from multiple teams in need of a cornerback for depth and injury reasons, not just Detroit.
That is where the story narrows. The Lions have checked in, but there is no word that they have gone further than that, and Moore is free to sign anywhere. If Garafolo is right, the only real question left is which team closes the deal first.
