Pride of Detroit
With two injury-riddled seasons with the Lions, it’s time for Detroit to move on from cornerback Emmanuel Moseley.
The next installment for our 2025 Detroit Lions free agency preview takes us on the defensive side of the ball, focusing on cornerback Emmanuel Moseley. Moseley has had some of the worst luck since arriving in Detroit. After tearing his ACL in 2022, the Lions signed him on a one-year deal, and in his debut in 2023, he tore his other ACL just two plays into his debut.
2024 had a similar fate for Moseley, as injuries once again limited his playing time, playing in only two games. Let’s look and see if the third time is the charm for Moseley in Detroit.
Here’s a look at our previously written free agent profiles: WR Tim Patrick, G Kevin Zeitler, OT Dan Skipper, DT Kyle Peko, LB Derrick Barnes, CB Carlton Davis, K Michael Badgley
After tearing his ACL in 2023, GM Brad Holmes gave Moseley another chance and re-signed him to another one-year deal. With the team overhauling their secondary once again, Moseley still had a chance to compete for a starting role at the nickelback spot, once he returned from his torn ACL.
The Lions traded for cornerback Carlton Davis, signed Amik Robertson, and drafted cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw. With the new additions it would make it tougher for Moseley to win the starting job, but with defensive back Brian Branch moving it safety, it was a competition between him, Robertson, and Rakestraw.
Note: PFF grades combine regular season and playoffs and reflect a minimum 20% snaps at that position. Moseley did not hit this threshold.
Season stats — 2 games (0 starts): 29 special teams snaps - one assist tackle
PFF Special Teams grade: 55.4
While fighting for the starting nickel role in training camp, Moseley would tear his pectoral in joint practices with the New York Giants, landing him on IR before the season would begin. Lions head coach Dan Campbell had faith in Moseley though to return in the 2024 season.
“Yeah, it’s tough. That’s tough, and he’s the one that has put so much work into coming back from two ACLs and it’s frustrating,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said during training camp. “Look, you’ve got two decisions, you either rally one more time or you say, ‘You know what, enough’s enough.’ And my gut’s going to tell me that he’s going to rally again.”
Moseley returned from the injury, making his 2024 debut in Week 12 against the Indianapolis Colts, playing 15 snaps on special teams. People believed his special team snaps were a ramp up for a return on defense, but he would be inactive Weeks 13, 14, and 15 before returning to play 14 more special teams snaps in Week 16.
In the final three weeks, Moseley was active for two weeks but never saw the field. He finished the...
