Live from Orchard Park, New York, where we are taking a close look at the Detroit Lions’ secondary as they head into the offseason. With their top cornerback, Carlton Davis, set to hit free agency, the Lions will need to find a capable replacement.
SI.com’s Vito Chirco suggests one possible solution: Rasul Douglas, the veteran cornerback currently with the Buffalo Bills. After joining Buffalo in a 2023 trade from the Green Bay Packers, Douglas has been a steady starter, playing a key role in their defense that took the Bills all the way to the AFC Championship last season.
As Chirco highlights, the Lions are facing a gap at cornerback with Davis likely moving on, and he believes Douglas could be an ideal replacement. “If Detroit opts to go the free-agency route to address the position, Rasul Douglas is a player worth looking into,” Chirco said.
Douglas, ranked the 14th-best free agent by Pro Football Focus, is coming off a solid season with the Bills, where in 24 games across 2023 and 2024, he recorded 87 tackles, 13 passes defensed, four interceptions, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, and a sack. While he had some struggles in coverage last season, earning a coverage grade of 58.9, he has proven to be a reliable defensive back and a playmaker with a knack for interceptions.
Chirco also pointed out that Spotrac projects Douglas’ market value at around $12 million per year for three years, with a total contract value close to $36 million. “At the right price, he could be a smart acquisition,” Chirco added, although he cautioned that the Lions shouldn’t “break the bank” for him.
As for Carlton Davis, he’s making his stance clear. He recently posted on social media, hinting at his intentions not to sign a discount deal this time around. “I won’t make the same mistake twice. If you want your defense upgraded, y’all know who to pay. Turn on the Tape!” he wrote on X. Davis, who started 13 games for Detroit last season, posted 56 tackles, two interceptions, and one forced fumble. However, his season was marked by injuries, including a broken jaw and thumb.
The Lions will face a tough decision in the coming weeks as they look to shore up their secondary, while also addressing other pressing needs, such as improving their pass rush. While edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson has been a standout, the team struggled to find depth behind him, and no one else managed to exceed Hutchinson’s 7.5 sacks before his season-ending injury in October. Stay tuned as Detroit looks to reshape its defense in the offseason.
