The Detroit Lions will try everything in their power to convince veteran cornerback Carlton Davis to return to the squad in 2025 and beyond, but he will be pulled in many different directions by teams looking for a quick upgrade elsewhere as they try to knock Detroit off their perch.
While the Lions do have two promising young players in Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw, it seems likely that they will either try to retain Davis with a big contract or replace him with another veteran.
These six veterans will all have a strong market, but the Lions have the resources they need to make each of them compelling offers that could force them to put that Honolulu blue on. Losing Davis would be a blow, but Detroit can mitigate that.
6 Carlton Davis replacements Lions must add to avoid complete regression
6. Nate Hobbs, Las Vegas Raiders
After taking Amik Robertson away from the Raiders last offseason, Detroit could try to snatch up one more playmaker in Hobbs. While he has primarily played in the slot, Hobbs' 6-1, 195-pound frame and solid ball skills could lead the Lions to have confidence in his ability to play outside.
5. Paulson Adebo, New Orleans Saints
Adebo could have cashed in to a preposterous degree this offseason if he didn't break his femur. If the Lions feel confident in paying him after the injury, Adebo, who has shown immense turnover creation potential with six interceptions in his last 17 games, can thrive alongside a stronger Detroit defense.
4. Byron Murphy, Minnesota Vikings
After a fairly average rookie contract stint in Arizona, Murphy came into his own with the Vikings. His two seasons with Minnesota, capped off with a splendid six-interception campaign, should put him in Detroit's crosshairs. They got an up-close view of how good he could be during the last two years.
3. Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles will move on from Slay, who has said in the past that he is eyeing a return to the Lions if he is to play one more season. Even in a limited state, Detroit would be wise to try to set up a reunion after Slay's excellent postseason resurgence proved he could still be a playmaker.
2. Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers
Ward seems ready to leave San Francisco after a very emotionally draining season. After spending his first few years with the Chiefs and 49ers, Ward may be eyeing contending teams with money to spend. If Davis is gone, Ward may have the highest ceiling of any possible replacement out there.
1. DJ Reed, New York Jets
Reed has been underrated for the last few years, as some bad Jets team and the presence of All-Pro dynamo Sauce Gardner obscured the fact that he is one of the best No. 2 cornerbacks in the game. The Lions would give him a chance to compete for rings as a No. 1 corner option.
