The Detroit Lions reshaped their secondary during the 2024 offseason, including trading with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for veteran cornerback Carlton Davis.
So far, the revamped starting secondary, featuring draft pick Terrion Arnold and free-agent acquisition Amik Robertson, has been steady overall. While Davis isn’t having his career-best season, he has been a reliable presence.
Across eight games, Davis has allowed completions on 60.3% of the passes thrown his way and has surrendered a passer rating of 89.1. While not exceptional, he’s still an upgrade over Cameron Sutton.
However, Davis’s future in Detroit is uncertain, as he’s set to become a free agent next year. Bleacher Report’s Scouting Department predicts Davis will leave Detroit in 2025 free agency and join the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Raiders’ expectation that Jack Jones would build on his performance from last season hasn’t panned out. Their hope that Jakorian Bennett would step up as a reliable starter is also dimming. With Nate Hobbs, their top cover player, becoming a free agent this offseason, the Raiders need stability.
They seek a veteran cornerback who can bring consistency—something Davis has contributed for the Lions this season. At 28, Davis has provided Detroit with a reliable presence and could potentially offer similar stability in Las Vegas.
Realistically, Davis may have no choice but to move on in 2025. The Lions selected another cornerback, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who is expected to eventually take Davis’s place.
With several costly contracts to manage, the Lions would benefit from replacing Davis with Rakestraw, who is under a rookie contract for three more seasons.
However, this will depend on the Lions’ confidence in Rakestraw, who has only played 43 defensive snaps across six games and has limited experience.
