The Detroit Lions have been one of the NFL’s top teams this season, with Dan Campbell’s squad boasting a 13-2 record. They are tied for the NFC North lead and hold the No. 1 seed in the conference alongside the Minnesota Vikings, though Detroit has the head-to-head edge following their victory over Minnesota in Week 7. The Lions will visit Levi’s Stadium to face the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football in Week 17.
Detroit’s defense has been outstanding, with Aaron Glenn’s unit allowing only 19.9 points per game, which ties them for the sixth-fewest in the league alongside the Green Bay Packers. Despite dealing with numerous injuries to key players, including cornerback Carlton Davis, the defense has remained strong.
Davis had been enjoying a solid 2024 season before suffering a broken jaw in Detroit’s Week 15 game against the Buffalo Bills. The 27-year-old had recorded two interceptions and allowed just a 59.7% completion rate when targeted over 13 games. He was placed on Injured Reserve following the injury, and on December 20, Dan Campbell expressed doubt that Davis would return this season.
Davis might have played his final game as a Lion, as the former Auburn standout will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. General manager Brad Holmes could decide to part ways with him. If Davis doesn’t return to Detroit next year, Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder speculates that the Lions could select East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Along with Davis, players like Dorsey, Emmanuel Moseley, and Kindle Vildor are also headed for free agency, meaning Brad Holmes may once again prioritize drafting a cornerback early, possibly for the second consecutive year. Although Revel Jr. is recovering from a torn ACL, he has the potential to be a solid corner at the professional level.
Revel Jr. played just three games in 2024 after injuring his ACL in practice ahead of East Carolina’s game against Liberty on September 21, which the Pirates lost. Despite the injury, Revel Jr. managed two interceptions and allowed only a 40.9% completion rate on 22 targets. In 2023, during his junior season, Revel played 328 coverage snaps, started 12 games, and allowed a 44.2% completion rate on 43 targets, with a 61.2 passer rating when targeted. The 2023 Second-Team All-American Athletic Conference selection stands 6’3″ with impressive length and athleticism.
If the Lions choose not to re-sign Davis, pairing Shavon Revel Jr. with Terrion Arnold could provide Detroit with two promising young cornerbacks for the future.
