Before he suffered a broken jaw that will end his season barring something unforeseen, Carlton Davis was exactly what the Detroit Lions needed from their top cornerback this season. In 13 games he had 11 pass breakups, two interceptions and a 77.0 passer rating allowed, while adding a confident swagger that was missing.
Davis also going to be a free agent in March, though it's fair to assume the Lions will make every effort to keep him around. It's also possible he'll be able to get more money on the open market than the Lions are willing to offer, and if so no one should begrudge him for taking it.
Spotrac is currently tabbing Davis's market value at $13.8 million per year, with a contract projection of three years, $41.3 million. With plenty of cap space and more to come via carryover from this year, the Lions can easily accommodate a contract like that.
But let's allow for all possibilities right now, with the idea Davis will have a robust market and thus he could depart as a free agent.
Division rival free agent pointed to as fallback option for the Lions
If Davis leaves in free agency, the Lions will obviously have a huge void to fill. Two different outlets have pointed to a particular player as an option for them to fill it.
First up, looking to the offseason, Matt Holder of Bleacher Report pointed to cornerback Byron Murphy as a top free agent target.
"Cornerback was one of the top needs in Detroit last offseason. and that will carry over into 2025. Carlton Davis is an impending free agent and Terrion Arnold has taken his lumps as a rookie this year. Even if Davis gets re-signed, the defense could use another veteran to make another Super Bowl run. Murphy is coming off a career year and will be one of the top corners available on the open market."
On his list naming one free agent each NFL team should sign this offseason, Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus joined the Byron Murphy bandwagon.
"It’s hard to truly pinpoint a lot of weaknesses on a team that’s 15-2, but the might need to shore up their cornerback room going into 2025. Carlton Davis and Kindle Vildor are both on expiring contracts, and Terrion Arnold (50.4 PFF coverage grade) underwhelmed in his first regular season."
"The Lions have enough money (about $57 million) to make waves with a signing, and Murphy would qualify. The 26-year-old was at his best with the rival Vikings this year, notching a career-high 72.6 PFF coverage grade. Murphy’s 80.5 passer rating allowed when targeted is also the 23rd-best mark among qualified cornerbacks. Detroit will likely try to keep Davis after acquiring him before this year, but Murphy would be a strong consolation prize."
Davis leaving is the entire caveat with the Lions potentially signing Murphy. He is coming off a season where he set career-highs in interceptions (six), pass breakups (14) and total tackles (81), as he allowed a 76.7 passer rating in his coverage during the regular season. He is also very versatile, with snaps as a outside corner (643), in the slot (307 snaps), as a free safety (13 snaps) and in the box (76 snaps) during the regular season.
When they were clearly in the market for cornerbacks in 2023 free agency, it's fair to assume the Lions had some level of interest in Murphy. As contingency plans in case Davis leaves go right now, two months out from the start of free agency, circling back to Murphy should be on the list.
