This offseason, the Detroit Lions will have several important players entering free agency, such as cornerback Carlton Davis. The veteran showcased an outstanding 2024 season before facing a season-ending jaw injury in the team’s Week 15 defeat to the Buffalo Bills.
Davis is expected to encounter a competitive free agency market and ought to earn a payment he rightfully deserves. Spotrac estimates that the Lions’ upcoming free agent will secure a three-year deal valued at $41.3 million in the open market, whereas Pro Football Focus asserts that this figure might reach $42 million over three years.
Numerous teams are expected to pursue Davis this offseason, yet Yahoo Sports’ Cam Garrity thinks the 6-foot-1, 206-pound corner should rank among the New England Patriots’ primary free-agency objectives.
According to Over the Cap, the Patriots are expected to hold the largest cap space in the NFL this offseason, totaling $120 million. The franchise has many needs, and securing another cornerback to pair with 2024 second-team All-Pro Christian Gonzalez should be a top priority for New England.
Integrating Davis into the secondary would be quite logical for the Patriots, since the ex-Tampa Bay Buccaneer would act as CB2 alongside Gonzalez and is only 28 years old.
Davis played 13 games for the Lions in 2024, recording two interceptions and defending 11 passes. The Super Bowl LV champion also permitted only a 59.7% completion rate and an 87.9 passer rating when thrown at.
Detroit ought to aim to keep Davis this offseason, but if the 2018 second-rounder chooses to leave the Motor City or the Lions prefer not to bring him back, New England must be among the leading contenders for the former Auburn star.
The Patriots possess ample funds to secure a contract for Davis while also addressing additional roster needs, and teaming Gonzalez with a seasoned veteran who has extensive playoff experience would be a wise decision by New England’s general manager Eliot Wolf.