Lions Sign Former 2nd Pick Corner To Push Terrion Arnold For Playing Time
This is a player who diagnoses concepts instantly and triggers on the football with undeniable aggression. He is a heavy-handed, compact defender who excels in run support
The Production Baseline
Entering the NFL as the 35th overall pick out of Auburn in 2022, Roger McCreary faced intense scrutiny regarding his 0th-percentile arm length (28 7/8 inches). Not only did he silence the critics by forcing his way onto the Tennessee Titans’ starting lineup as a rookie—he played all 17 games, logging 17 starts and 84 tackles. Week 15 of his rookie season—McCreary showcased his elite awareness and agility by jumping out of bounds to tip a Justin Herbert pass back into play for an assisted interception.
In 2023, he transitioned to the full-time starting nickelback, posting a career-high 86 tackles and two sacks, evolving into one of the league’s most consistent slot defenders.
In 2024, the Titans' aggressive offseason overhaul of their secondary—headlined by trading for L'Jarius Sneed and signing Chidobe Awuzie—pushed McCreary into a strict rotational slot role. Consequently, his defensive snap share dropped to just under 62 percent. Despite the reduced playing time and fluctuating usage, he remained a highly effective run defender and situational blitzer. Appearing in 15 games with seven starts, he recorded 50 tackles, one sack, and a pass deflection, proving he could maintain his physical tackling efficiency even when boxed out of an every-down role.
