Ex-NFL star has lofty expectations for Detroit Lions cornerback tandem

A former NFL star had nothing but good things to say about a couple of current Detroit Lions cornerbacks who are set to start on the boundary in 2024.

Aqib Talib played in the NFL for 12 seasons. The corner won Super Bowl 50 as a member of the Denver Broncos and earned five Pro Bowl selections. Talib collected 35 interceptions in his career and retired before the 2020 NFL season.

On Tuesday, Talib joined the “Up & Adams” show with Kay Adams and expressed excitement to watch the Lions this season and mentioned rookie corner Terrion Arnold and newcomer Carlton Davis.

“I can’t wait to watch the Lions and Terrion Arnold. Mainly because Carlton Davis Jr. He has an NFL vet on the other side of him and that’s going to be a top tandem — I’m calling it right now,” Talib said.

Arnold was selected by the Lions with the 24th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Davis was added on the first day of free agency via a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers .

The hope is that this new duo can help improve the team's 31st-ranked pass defense from last season.

“Arnold was a ballhawk last year,” Talib said. “I think he had five or six interceptions in college. If you get interceptions in college, you get interceptions in the league — it always translates. Carlton Davis, I’ve always been a fan.”

Talib knows what it takes to be a great corner in the NFL, so this is high praise coming from the former All-Pro.

“The Lions are going to do big things, and I think the cornerback tandem will be a huge part of it,” Talib added.

If Talib is right about this tandem, expect big things from the Lions’ defense in 2024.