Following the same strategy as last March’s Carlton Davis trade, here are five cornerbacks the Detroit Lions might trade for this offseason.
As part of their cornerback depth overhaul, the Detroit Lions acquired Carlton Davis from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last offseason.
Davis had a solid 2024 campaign in a contract year, and despite missing the end of the season due to a broken jaw, he’s widely considered one of the top cornerbacks available as free agency approaches.
The Lions may look to replicate this move by trading for another cornerback entering the final year of their contract, whether to replace Davis if he leaves or to add another piece to their secondary.
Here are five potential candidates for the Lions to pursue:
5. Jack Jones, Las Vegas Raiders
- Background: Jones had the best season of his career last year, tallying 69 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 16 pass breakups while starting 16 of 17 games for the Raiders.
- However, his deeper stats are more mixed, with a 98.5 passer rating allowed and a 62.8% completion rate against him.
- With a new coaching staff in Las Vegas and the departure of Antonio Pierce, Jones’ future is uncertain. Although he’s had legal issues in the past, those appear to be behind him, and a fresh start with the Lions could provide the environment he needs. Jones could be acquired on the cheap as a depth option with hopes that Davis re-signs.
Despite his season-ending injury due to a broken jaw, Carlton Davis is set to have multiple suitors in free agency after a standout season with the Detroit Lions. While Davis may be inclined to re-sign with Detroit, he will likely test the market to secure one last major contract.
In late January, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler mentioned another potential suitor for Davis: “Some teams consider Davis the No. 2 cornerback in this class. Jacksonville could be a team to watch, as they likely won’t be big spenders in free agency but want to strengthen their secondary.”
This report hints that the Jaguars may not be aggressive in free agency, which could push them out of the race for Davis. However, their tendency toward frugality and the reported shift in strategy could ultimately tell a different story.