The Detroit Lions have been one of the best teams in football this season, as Dan Campbell's squad is 10-1 and atop the NFC North through 12 weeks. Detroit has won nine consecutive games after a 1-1 start and picked up another dominant victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 13. The Lions won't have much time to break down their victory over the Colts on Sunday, as the Chicago Bears come to town on Thanksgiving in Week 13.
Though the offense gets most of the praise for Detroit's success in 2024, Aaron Glenn's defense has been one of the best units in football, primarily the secondary. The team's biggest weakness from last season is now a massive strength, and the acquisition of cornerback Carlton Davis is a prominent reason for the unit's success.
Davis spent the first six years of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but was traded to the Lions in the offseason and is now an integral part of the secondary. Davis will be an unrestricted free agent in the spring and should have a competitive market.
Many teams will be interested in the 27-year-old's services, and re-signing Davis won't be an effortless task for general manager Brad Holmes. Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox believes Davis could leave Detroit in the offseason and join the Indianapolis Colts.
The Colts have some lessons to learn from the team that beat them on Sunday. Specifically, Indianapolis should be taking a look at how the Lions have transformed their secondary from a liability to an asset. The Lions have had some bad secondaries in recent times, but they went out and traded for Carlton Davis to allow Aaron Glenn to play more aggressively.
Gus Bradley might not be all that into playing man, but Davis would at least give him the opportunity to be a little more varied with what he's calling.
Davis has been exceptional in 2024, as the veteran has snagged two interceptions and is allowing just an 80.4 passer rating when targeted. The former Auburn Tiger has started 86 games in his career and won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay during the 2020-2021 season.
The Colts have been one of the worst secondaries in the NFL this season and have had some issues preventing explosive plays over the last few years. Adding a player like Davis would immediately bolster the unit and give the Colts a solid CB1. Indianapolis will have around $50 million in cap space this offseason, per Over the Cap, so the team should have enough money to sign the 2018 second-round pick on the open market.
If the Lions fail to retain Davis this offseason, the Indianapolis Colts would be an intriguing landing spot for the reliable and consistent defensive back.
