The Detroit Lions may need to address their slot cornerback position following Amik Robertson’s impending free agency this offseason. Although the Lions prioritize reinforcements on their offensive and defensive lines, the drop in Robertson’s performance in 2025, coupled with Ennis Rakestraw’s recovery from injury, creates a pressing need for depth at slot corner.
Re-signing Avonte Maddox, who has slot experience, is a straightforward option. Maddox emerged as a valuable bargain signing last year and adapted well at safety due to injury concerns. Still, the Lions hope to uncover another cost-effective free agent success akin to Maddox or Rock Ya-Sin—both of whom exceeded expectations on short-term deals. This year’s free agent class, however, appears less loaded, making veteran cornerback Noah Igbinoghene a potential low-cost, competitive addition for Detroit.
Noah Igbinoghene’s Journey and Latest Performance Highlights
At 26 years old, Noah Igbinoghene will become an unrestricted free agent after completing two seasons with the Washington Commanders. Drafted in the first round by the Miami Dolphins in 2020, Igbinoghene saw limited impact early in his career, starting only five games and missing 14 over two seasons despite participating fully as a rookie.
Dallas acquired Igbinoghene via trade before the 2023 season, but he appeared in only five games for the Cowboys. His opportunity to shine arrived with Washington in 2024, when Igbinoghene started in a career-high 10 games while playing primarily in the slot.
During that season, he tallied 55 tackles, seven pass deflections, and a tackle for loss. His coverage metrics included allowing a 56.3% completion rate, an 86.4 passer rating when targeted, and conceding just three touchdowns. His steady play helped the Commanders advance deep into the playoffs.
After re-signing for a one-year deal last offseason, the Commanders attempted to trade him late in preseason but kept him on the roster. Consequently, his playing time declined sharply, falling from 76% of defensive snaps and 10 starts in 2024 to just 37% of snaps and two starts in the recent season. Yet, he maintained a solid performance with a 62.1% completion rate allowed and a 90.2 passer rating against him.
Pro Football Focus rated Igbinoghene with a 54.4 coverage grade and a 54.1 run defense grade, figures that were notably higher than the grades for Amik Robertson, who registered 48.0 and 49.0 respectively. Based on these numbers, Igbinoghene could represent a slight upgrade over Robertson in the slot.
Potential Impact of Signing Igbinoghene for Detroit
Spotrac estimates that Igbinoghene could sign a one-year deal valued at around $2.4 million. Detroit Lions General Manager Brad Holmes has good reason to pursue him, as Igbinoghene brings starting experience and the versatility to play both on the boundary and in the slot. Securing a player of his caliber on an affordable contract could provide the Lions with the much-needed competition and depth at slot cornerback.
With the Lions balancing roster needs across multiple positions, Igbinoghene’s addition could offer a valuable solution amid an otherwise thin free agent cornerback class. His prior playoff experience and recent on-field production give hope that he could replicate the bargain-bin success stories like Maddox or Rock Ya-Sin, addressing a critical area for Detroit’s defense going forward.
