The Detroit Lions made significant changes to their secondary during the 2024 offseason, including trading for veteran cornerback Carlton Davis from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While Davis has been solid, he hasn’t been at his best, allowing 60.3% completion on passes thrown his way and a passer rating of 89.1. Despite this, his play has been an improvement over previous starter Cameron Sutton. The revamped secondary, featuring players like Terrion Arnold and Amik Robertson, has performed well, but Davis’ future with the team remains uncertain.
Davis, a free agent after the 2024 season, is predicted to leave Detroit and sign with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025, according to Bleacher Report’s Scouting Department. The Raiders have struggled to find consistent play from their cornerbacks, with Jack Jones failing to meet expectations and Jakorian Bennett not stepping up as hoped. Nate Hobbs, their best corner, is also set to become a free agent soon, leaving the team in need of a reliable veteran starter.
With Davis providing the Lions with a more consistent presence at cornerback this season, the Raiders may look to sign him in 2025 to help stabilize their own secondary. Davis, 28, has proven to be a steady performer, and his experience could be exactly what the Raiders need to address their defensive woes.
The Lions, however, may not have room for Davis long-term. The team invested in young cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. through the draft, and he could be the future of the position in Detroit. Rakestraw, who is still on a rookie contract for the next three seasons, represents a cheaper option, and the Lions may decide to replace Davis with him to manage their salary cap more efficiently.
Rakestraw’s potential departure of Davis hinges on how the Lions evaluate him moving forward. Though he’s only seen limited playing time, with just 43 defensive snaps across six games, the team’s confidence in his development could dictate whether they move on from the veteran cornerback. If Rakestraw proves ready to step up, Detroit may choose to prioritize his growth over re-signing Davis
