NFL draft analyst says Lions' Terrion Arnold could have a rookie year similar to one of the best cornerbacks in the game

You just can't talk about it enough. The Detroit Lions scored big in the 2024 NFL Draft when they were able to get Terrion Arnold. This is a player that was slated to be a top 15 pick and nearly went 13th to the Raiders. Yet he fell to 24 and the Lions were able to capitalize. 

It's a good thing they did, because Pro Football Focus' Trevor Sikkema thinks Arnold could have a rookie season that rivals one of the best cornerbacks in the game. 

"A defensive player that I think could have a Sauce Gardner like, effect this upcoming season." 

Gardner had one of the best rookie cornerback seasons of all time in 2022 and took home the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. It should come as no surprise that Sikkema thinks Arnold could bring home the award as well if a cornerback gets it. 

"I think that he will have a chance to earn a starting spot." Sikkema said. "The media already loves this dude. I mean, his personality is larger than life. He's fantastic in every interview he gives, If Terrion happens to get four interceptions this year, maybe two of them are completely lucky. I don't care if he gets four interceptions and he is a starting outside cornerback of the lions, whose defense is playing great and they're winning the division and they're going to make a run for the Super Bowl. That dude really could win defensive Rookie of the Year. 

They could point to him and say Look how bad the secondary was last year. Look how much he has really helped. He's been getting turnovers. He's somebody who is in front of the media, you love every single interview that he gives. To me, Terrion Arnold, of anybody in this group, could really stand out amongst the cornerback position to win Defensive Rookie of The Year."

To be fair, Arnold was not Sikkema's first pick to win the award. He chose Colts' edge rusher Laitu Latu. But he said if a cornerback were to win it, Arnold is that guy. We'll see if he's right at the end of this coming season.