One of the main objectives for the Detroit Lions this offseason is potential free agent cornerback Carlton Davis, who was instrumental to the team’s defense in 2024.
Davis, obtained in an offseason trade with the Buccaneers to enhance the secondary, achieved some of the finest coverage statistics of his career and solidified what had been a troubling position for Detroit.
Regrettably, Davis’ annual injury problems resurfaced; he sustained a jaw fracture in Week 15 that cut his season short. Despite his injury issues, Davis is expected to attract significant attention in the free market.
A team that might require cornerback assistance is the Las Vegas Raiders, which is the reason Zack Cook of Sports Grid forecasts Davis will land in Sin City.
“In 2024, Carlton Davis III stood out as an experienced leader in the Lions’ secondary, providing important veteran advice,” he stated. “His influential season was sadly halted due to a jaw fracture in Week 15.” Nevertheless, Davis III has undeniably raised his profile, establishing himself as a top candidate for teams looking to strengthen their defense with seasoned leadership.
The Lions’ determination to keep Davis will probably hinge on their intentions for 2024 second-round selection, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who is expected to start in 2025 but still remains uncertain for Detroit after minimal playtime in his debut season.
Should the Lions intend to assign Rakestraw Jr. one of the starting positions, either on the boundary or in the slot, then Terrion Arnold and Amik Robertson would occupy the remaining two spots. From that point, the Lions will probably choose to select a more affordable veteran backup instead of re-signing Davis for that position.
The Raiders have their two 2024 starting boundary corners signed in Jack Jones and Jakorian Bennett, yet Jones struggled in his second season in Las Vegas and might be at risk of being cut.
After Bennett’s impressive season, the Raiders would be in an excellent position with him and Davis, who shares a bond with general manager John Spytek from their time in Tampa Bay.
From that point, the Raiders will need to determine who fills the slot position, which the team can resolve by re-signing Nate Hobbs.
Spotrac estimates that Davis is expected to sign a three-year contract worth $41.3 million during free agency. The Raiders have plenty of cap space, so that cost — or something similar — won’t be an issue.