Player Lions will supposedly miss most was replaced before he even left

The Detroit Lions' defense was inexplicably injury-riddled last season, which makes their 15-2 regular season record all the more impressive. Of course things ended in disappointing fashion with a Divisional Round playoff loss to the Washington Commanders, as one too many defensive injuries became the final straw.

A course correction is store this year, with some new pieces in place. Most notably, cornerback DJ Reed was signed after Carlton Davis made it clear the Lions wouldn't be able to meet his asking price. The New England Patriots gave Davis what was ultimately a three-year, $54 million deal, while the Lions got Reed on a three-year, $48 million deal.

Davis suffered a broken jaw in Week 15 last season, and he missed the remainder of the season. That continued a run of missed time in his career, as he has missed at least two games in all seven of his NFL seasons with at least four missed games in four straight years.

Davis was very good before his injury last season. That seems to be the root of the idea from Nick Shook of NFL.com to include Davis on his list of players whose departures will have the biggest impact on their former teams.

"The Lions felt the impact of Davis’ absence when they lost him to a broken jaw late in the 2024 season, an injury that preceded their upset loss to Washington in the Divisional Round. Davis is now in New England, where he cashed in on a three-year, $60 million deal after feeling like he settled for lesswhen he re-signed with the Buccaneers in 2022. Detroit is replacing him with one of my favorite corners, former Jet D.J. Reed. I’m not as concerned about a talent dropoff at the position as I am about the quality of the Lions’ depth. They did add former Eagle Avonte Maddox as a backup, which could prove to be crucial down the stretch."

The Lions actually replaced Carlton Davis before he was even gone

When Davis went down last season, Amik Robertson relished the opportunity to move to an outside corner spot. And he stepped up, following his best Pro Football Focus coverage grade of the season in Week 17 with a lead role in shutting down Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson in the big regular season finale.

Shook's broader concern about the Lions' cornerback depth lands as viable, with second-year man Ennis Rakestraw set to move into a bigger role after an injury-impacted rookie season. But Reed was signed to replace Davis, and there's an argument for him as least an equal, if not better, player than Davis. Last year's first-round pick, Terrion Arnold, is in line for a big step in his second season. Add in Robertson, and even the depth concern can be set aside.

As for Davis' departure being overly impactful this season, the Lions got a head start on replacing him late last season and the subsequent expectation is he won't be missed all that much.