Due to injury, the Detroit Lions likely won’t have cornerback Carlton Davis for the early playoff rounds, and he may not return this postseason at all.
Davis fractured his jaw in Week 15 and is sidelined indefinitely. His expected recovery time is six weeks, meaning he could return if the Lions reach the NFC Championship Game.
Missing Davis in critical games might foreshadow next season, as he’s set to become a free agent in 2025. Detroit will want to re-sign him, but he’s expected to attract interest from other teams.
One potential suitor is the Cincinnati Bengals. Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report predicts Davis could land in Cincinnati next year.
“Detroit had one of the NFL’s worst secondaries last year, limiting their offense. Sound familiar? To fix it, the Lions signed Carlton Davis to add experience to their young cornerbacks. It worked. Their defense has improved this year,” Ballentine explained.
“The Bengals could replicate this by targeting a veteran like Davis to strengthen their defense.”
Detroit acquired Davis from the Buccaneers in the offseason, and he’s proven valuable both on the field and in leadership.
Davis delivered a standout year, allowing a 55.3% completion rate and a 77.0 passer rating – career-best figures.
Detroit is expected to pursue re-signing him but might prefer to give 2024 draft pick Ennis Rakestraw Jr. a larger role. However, with Rakestraw’s quiet rookie year, Davis’ return could be more crucial.
The Bengals are desperate for cornerback upgrades. Their weak defense, ranked 21st in pass coverage, is a major reason for missing the playoffs.
The concern with Davis is his availability. He’s never completed a full season, with 14 games in both 2019 and 2020 being his peak.
That might reduce his market value, potentially benefiting Cincinnati. Regardless, Davis could be one of the best secondary options available in 2025, making him a prime target for the Bengals.
