One reason the Detroit Lions traded up in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft to select Terrion Arnold is because they were concerned about an NFC North rival taking the Alabama cornerback.

Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Green Bay Packers were believed to have Arnold rated “highly” on their board as their turn was coming up in the first round.

One AFC scout who spoke to Fowler praised what Arnold brings to the Lions’ secondary: “As far as talent, speed, coverage, ball production, tackling, size, ability to play inside and outside —I had him as the best corner.”

The Lions wound up making a trade with the Dallas Cowboys to acquire the No. 24 pick, putting them one spot ahead of the Packers that was used to take Arnold.

Cornerback wasn’t necessarily the biggest need for the Packers coming into this draft, but they did seem likely to address the position at some point. Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine is a volatile cornerback trio, but it has plenty of upside if all of them play up their potential in 2024.

With Arnold off the board at No. 25, the Packers addressed arguably their biggest need for an offensive tackle by selecting Arizona’s Jordan Morgan.

The Lions’ urgency to make sure they got Arnold makes perfect sense. Cornerback was their biggest weakness last season. They did help that unit earlier in the offseason by acquiring Carlton Davis from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he’s entering the final season of his contract.

B/R’s Cory Giddings compared Arnold’s skill set to Dallas Cowboys star Trevon Diggs as a “complete and well-rounded defender” in his scouting report.

If Arnold develops into a shutdown cornerback quickly for the Lions, it could be the missing piece they need to get over the hump after reaching the NFC Championship Game last season.

Being able to keep Arnold away from the Packers is an added bonus for Detroit.