Lions Named ‘Perfect’ Fit for Top Free Agent Cornerback

New York Jets cornerback DJ Reed reacting in the middle of an NFL game.
The Detroit Lions are expected to undergo some changes on defense with the departure of defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, though one area of focus will likely remain constant — the need to upgrade the secondary.

The Lions have made steady improvements on a unit that was once the worst in the league, investing high draft picks and bringing on some high-profile veterans. But with the Lions potentially losing last year’s No. 1 cornerback to free agency, one insider suggests they will take a swing on the best free agent corner on the market this year.

Lions Predicted to Add Veteran CB
Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus named “perfect” free agency fits for all 32 NFL teams, pegging New York Jets cornerback D.J. Reed as the best option for the Lions. Locker noted that the Lions are expected to keep the same basic defense in place as linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard was promoted to defensive coordinator, and Reed would fit the scheme well.

“As the Lions transition away from defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to in-house successor Kelvin Sheppard, the backbone of their defensive structure isn’t yet known — but it’s fair to assume that most of the fundamentals will remain in place,” Locker wrote. “Either way, adding arguably the top cornerback on the market in Reed wouldn’t hurt.”

Locker noted that the Lions ran a lot of Cover 1 in their secondary in 2024, an area where Reed excelled.

“Meanwhile, since 2022, Reed’s 70.7 PFF coverage grade in Cover 1 is the 12th best among qualified cornerbacks,” Locker wrote. “Even in a bit of a down season, Reed still enjoyed his staggering sixth straight year with a 70.0-plus PFF coverage grade.”

Reed has a total of 414 total tackles over his seven NFL seasons with six interceptions, four forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. As Locker noted, he is considered one of the top cornerbacks in free agency this offseason.

Lions Need Help in the Secondary
The Lions will likely have a big hole to fill in their secondary this offseason with last year’s top cornerback Carlton Davis III headed to free agency on March 12. Davis took to social media to send a cryptic message hinting that he wants a big deal this year.

“I won’t make the same mistake twice,” Davis shared in a post on X. “If you want your defense upgraded yall know who to pay. Turn on the tape.”

Reporter Ben Rolfe of Pro Football Talk suggested Davis could land with the rival Minnesota Vikings, fitting their scheme as well as their price range.

“The Minnesota Vikings need to fill many holes in their secondary,” Rolfe wrote. “The problem for Minnesota is they also have holes at guard, running back, and on their defensive line.

“The positive for the Vikings is that they have cap space to try to fill many of these holes. An intriguing cornerback prospect for them is Carlton Davis, who has a projected contract value of under $14 million per year. That is a much better projection than bringing back [Byron] Murphy at an AAV of over $22 million per year and could allow them to double up on veteran options at the position.”

Lions Predicted to Address Biggest Weakness With 9-Time Pro Bowl Addition

Khalil Mack is rumored to be on the trade block once again. Is a reunion with the Chicago Bears possible?
The Detroit Lions suffered a major blow to their pass rush when Aidan Hutchinson went down with a season-ending injury in October, struggling afterward to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

The problems culminated with an early playoff exit where the Lions gave up 43 points to the Washington Commanders in the divisional round, allowing rookie Jayden Daniels to throw for 299 yards with two touchdowns and no sacks.

One insider believes the Lions could boost the unit in the offseason, targeting an 11-year veteran with a proven track record of generating pressure off the edge.

Lions Look to Make Splash in Free Agency
Reporter Tim Twentyman of the team’s official website broke down a list of potential offseason additions, noting that linebacker Khalil Mack could be a strong fit in Detroit. Twentyman noted that Mack would be able to give the Lions a complement to Hutchinson that they’ve been seeking for the past two years.

“The 11-year veteran can still get after the quarterback and stop the run,” Twentyman wrote. “Mack would be part of a pass-rush trio in Detroit alongside Hutchinson and Za’Darius Smith where he won’t be asked to play every down at 34 years old. He proved last year he could still make a difference (6.0 sacks and 15 QB hits) and could make a run at Super Bowl with Detroit on a short-term deal.”

Mack is a nine-time Pro Bowler and three-time All Pro, registering at least 6.0 sacks in all but his rookie season.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell has been open about the team’s need to improve their pass rush, stressing during the season that the lack of consistent pressure was holding back the team. After a 31-29 win over the Minnesota Vikings in October, Campbell said the struggles in the pass rush were putting extra pressure on the secondary.

“There were some things where our coverage really had to — we asked them to do a lot, and they had to hold on a little bit,” Campbell said, via 97.1 The Ticket. “There was a number of things where we fabricated some rush, we got there a few times. To answer your question, we need just a little bit more. There was a couple of (pass plays) that did get long, a couple of these plays that you like to believe we can get somebody there just a little bit sooner.”

Lions Could Target Super Bowl Champion
Twentyman suggested some other potential additions for the Lions, including Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams. Twentyman noted that Williams came through in the clutch during the team’s Super Bowl run, though would likely come in at a cost higher than the Lions might be willing to pay.

“Williams was the best player upfront on defense during Philadelphia’s playoff run to a Super Bowl title,” Twentyman wrote. “He had 5.0 sacks and 10 quarterback hits as a rotational player during the regular season and two more sacks in the playoffs. The only problem is he’s set to have a big market at only 26 years old and could potentially cost more than the Lions are willing to spend in free agency this offseason.”

Lions Urged to Snag Projected $36 Million Cornerback

Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas at Highmark Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York.

The Detroit Lions will have some holes to fill in their secondary this offseason, with their top cornerback headed to free agency.

One analyst believes they can find help in the form of an eight-year veteran coming off a strong season of his own. SI.com’s Vito Chirco suggested the Lions could take a swing at Buffalo Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas, who has held down a starting role since coming to Buffalo in a 2023 trade with the Green Bay Packers.

Lions Looking for Defensive Backs

As Chirco noted, the Lions will have a big hole to fill as No. 1 cornerback Carlton Davis is headed to unrestricted free agency with no clear indication that he will return to Detroit. Chirco noted that Douglas would be a capable replacement, having played a key role on a defense that helped propel the Bills to the AFC Championship game last season.

“If Detroit opts to go the free-agency route to address the position, Rasul Douglas is a player worth looking into,” Chirco wrote.

“Listed as the 14th-best free agent this offseason by Pro Football Focus, the veteran cornerback spent the last season-and-a-half playing for the Buffalo Bills. In 24 games with the Bills in 2023 and 2024, he logged 87 total tackles, 13 passes defensed, four interceptions, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and a lone sack.”

Chirco noted that Douglas struggled in coverage at times last season, earning a coverage grade of 58.9 from Pro Football Focus, but has been a consistent defensive back in the past with a penchant for interceptions.

Chirco added that Spotrac projects Douglas will have a market value of close to $12 million over three years, bringing his total contract to just below $36 million. He suggested Douglas would be worth pursuing at the right price, but “wouldn’t break the bank” for the veteran cornerback.

Carlton Davis Makes His Stance Clear

The Lions would likely pay a higher price to bring Davis back on a new contract. The veteran cornerback took to social media this week to share a cryptic message hinting that he won’t make the “mistake” of signing a discount deal.

“I won’t make the same mistake twice . If you want your defense upgraded yall know who to pay .Turn on the Tape !” Davis shared in a post on X.

Davis started 13 games for the Lions last season, making 56 total tackles with two interceptions, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.

The Lions acquired Davis in a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, inheriting the final season of his three-year, $44 million contract. He restructured the deal after coming to Detroit.

Davis dealt with some injuries during his season in Detroit, suffering a broken jaw and a broken thumb.

The Lions will have some other needs to address on their defense, including the lack of production in the pass rush. Though star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson has made a big impact, the team lacked depth behind him and no other player was able to top the 7.5 sacks Hutchinson had at the time he suffered a season-ending injury in October.

2-Time Super Bowl-Winning Defender Worth $19 Million Predicted to Sign with Detroit Lions in Blockbuster Trade Dea

With the offseason approaching,  Detroit Lions face the potential departure of several key free agents, none more significant than cornerback Carlton Davis. Davis, who started 13 games in 2024, played a crucial role as the team’s top corner before suffering a broken jaw in Week 15.

Given his experience and performance, Davis is expected to attract considerable interest from multiple teams. If Detroit is unable to retain him, Sports Illustrated’s Christian Booher suggests that general manager Brad Holmes should turn his attention to New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones.

“If Davis isn’t re-signed, Detroit will be left with an extremely young cornerback corps,” Booher explained. “Bringing in a seasoned veteran like Jones could be a logical move. He’s a two-time Super Bowl champion and could serve as a mentor for emerging players such as Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw.”

Booher acknowledged that Jones struggled in 2024 but emphasized that he would come at a reasonable cost while providing much-needed competition for Detroit’s younger corners. “Acquiring him would be a low-risk, budget-friendly decision that could ultimately benefit players like Arnold and Rakestraw,” Booher added.

Jones started 14 games for New England last season but experienced difficulties in coverage, allowing a 75.5% completion rate on 53 targets and a 146.6 passer rating when thrown at.

At 31 years old, Jones is no longer a lockdown corner, but his postseason experience and veteran savvy could add valuable depth to Kelvin Sheppard’s defense. Additionally, projections from Spotrac and Pro Football Focus estimate his next contract to be around $3 million, making him an affordable option.

Although losing Davis would be a significant setback, Jones wouldn’t be expected to fill his shoes entirely. However, his championship pedigree and leadership qualities would bolster the Lions’ secondary and provide a reliable insurance option should the need arise.

Lions Player Unexpectedly Considering Retirement

The Detroit Lions may be without a longtime NFL player when they begin the 2025 season, as this player is considering retirement.
The Detroit Lions were at the top of the NFC last season, and even with a number of coaching changes taking place during the offseason, they’re primed to be in the running to go to the big game next season. There’s a lot of unfinished work to do, and with the core of the Lions’ players intact, they have the tools to recreate the magic next season.

However, the Lions may have to head into the 2025 season without a veteran NFL player, who is considering retirement and a career change.

Retirement an Option for NFL Veteran
When it comes to dream wide receivers, the Lions have two in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. They helped propel the Lions to victory after victory last season and a 15-2 regular season record.

But, there’s another wide receiver who was on the active roster for the 2024 season, and that’s Allen Robinson. According to Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press, Robinson is considering retirement during this offseason.

Robinson, 31, signed with the Detroit Lions’ practice squad last August and was placed on the active roster in September. He never really got a lot of playing time, and now, he’s thinking about retirement and factoring in his family.

“For me, it’s now just taking time to evaluate what next year looks like for me in general,” Robinson told the Free Press. “That’s kind of where I’m at with it. So, I’m taking some time to make this decision with my family.”

Robinson started his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, being a second-round pick during the 2014 NFL Draft. He made the Pro Bowl in 2015 and earned a bevy of other honors throughout his career. Over the year, he’s played with the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants and Lions. Robinson was also a Detroit guy and graduated from St. Mary’s Preparatory in Orchard Lake Village.

Family Factoring Into Detroit Lions Player’s Retirement Decision
“For me it’s more so about figuring out what my future is in this game and in this league looks like,” Robinson said. “Playing, finishing Season 11, having a family, figuring out different things with them, moving around and stuff like that.”

He added, “So for me it’s now just taking time to evaluate what next year looks like for me in general. That’s kind of where I’m at with it. So I’m taking some time to make this decision with my family.”

Robinson will become an unrestricted free agent when the 2025 league year opens on March 12. Another player who is set to hit free agency during the offseason is cornerback Carlton Davis, who started in 13 games for the Detroit Lions during the 2024 season but then experienced a season-ending jaw injury during the Lions’ Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to be one of the teams interested in picking up the corner. “The Jaguars will gauge the market of veteran corner Carlton Davis III, another third-contract guy,” Fowler stated in a Sunday, March 2, feature.