Fowler wrote in his Week 5 buzz column that "the Lions should make a move for a cornerback," and he pointed to Kansas City's Kristian Fulton as one potential option.
Detroit was among the teams that inquired about Joey Porter Jr. before the Steelers traded him to Dallas on September 30 for a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick.
The Lions Still Have A Hole At Corner
Detroit is 2-2 and ranks fifth in scoring, but its defense is giving up a league-high 423.8 yards and 31.8 points per game, the second-most in the NFL.
Sunday night's loss to Carolina added to the problem, with the Panthers piling up 445 yards and their top receiver catching a career-high 14 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns.
REPORT: Chiefs CB Kristian Fulton is listed as a potential trade candidate to help the Lions defense, per @JFowlerESPN https://t.co/552dzDRge2
— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔢𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔦𝔱 𝔗𝔦𝔪𝔢𝔰 📰 (@the_det_times) October 7, 2026
Safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are both on the PUP list, cornerback Avonte Maddox is on injured reserve, and D.J. Reed, who was signed to be the top corner, has allowed a 141.7 passer rating through four games with four penalties, per SI.
Joseph is first eligible to return this week, when the Lions play Arizona in their last game before the bye.
Fulton And Ramsey Are Fowler's Two Names
Fowler described Fulton as "in and out of the Chiefs' lineup," and noted he's owed $5 million that's guaranteed from a $9.75 million base salary.
"Perhaps the Chiefs and Lions could split the bill to facilitate a deal," Fowler wrote.
Fulton could become available if he has fallen out of favor with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, though that's speculation, and NFL.com's Kevin Patra wrote in August that a team needing corner help should inquire about Fulton, who was solid in eight games last season.
On Ramsey, Fowler was more cautious.
"Is it worth calling Pittsburgh for Jalen Ramsey? Not sure he's available, but the Lions' defense seems far from settled," he wrote.
Pittsburgh is also 2-2, and trading Ramsey would amount to essentially punting on the season.
The trade deadline is November 10.
