In a potential offseason shakeup, the Green Bay Packers may be moving on from Jaire Alexander, possibly seeking a new starting cornerback in free agency. One name that has emerged as a possible replacement is Carlton Davis of the Detroit Lions. After being traded from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March, Davis signed a one-year, $14 million deal with Detroit.
FanSided’s Rucker Haringey discussed the prospect of Davis joining Green Bay, highlighting his performance last season. “Green Bay saw plenty of Carlton Davis last season with the Lions. Stealing him away from a division rival in free agency could help the Packers in multiple ways,” Haringey noted. While Davis didn’t reach All-Pro status with the Lions, his PFF Grade of 74.5 placed him as the 29th best cornerback in the league. “His physical play on the outside would really give Hafley’s secondary a big boost,” Haringey added.
Davis posted 2 interceptions and 11 passes defended last season while making 13 starts for the Lions. Meanwhile, Alexander’s future with the Packers is in question. After signing a four-year, $84 million extension in 2022, he’s only appeared in 14 games over the past two seasons. In a recent locker room interaction, Jaire Alexander suggested he might not return to the team. According to NBC’s Kelly Hallinan, Alexander expressed uncertainty about his future, hinting at the possibility of parting ways with Green Bay.
“When Jaire Alexander was asked to speak with the media at locker room cleanout, he declined, saying he doesn’t even know if he is going to be here next year,” Hallinan reported on X. “Said he didn’t have anything good to say so definitely wasn’t going to talk.” With a $25 million cap hit, Alexander could be a prime candidate for release.
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Three Detroit Lions Make 2025’s Top 100 Free Agent List
With the Detroit Lions’ season ending prematurely, they now face the task of evaluating expiring player contracts. Pro Football Focus (PFF) highlights three players they should prioritize keeping.
Carlton Davis III, Cornerback
Carlton Davis III ranked among the top 25 most valuable free agents. A former second-round pick, Davis joined the Lions in the offseason after spending time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his first season with Detroit, Davis recorded 56 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 2 interceptions in just 13 games, as he missed time due to a fractured jaw sustained during a game against the Buffalo Bills.
Kevin Zeitler, Offensive Guard
Kevin Zeitler, ranked six spots below Davis III, is an appealing free agent. The veteran guard and former first-round pick had one of his best seasons with Detroit, finishing with a pass-block rate of 78.8% and a run-block rate of 87.2%. Though Zeitler is approaching the end of his career, he still provides considerable value to any team.
Levi Onwuzirke, Defensive Tackle
Levi Onwuzirke, ranked 40th on PFF’s list of most valuable free agents, has shown promise but struggled with injuries throughout his four seasons in Detroit. During the 2024 season, Onwuzirke posted 16 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. If he can stay healthy and have a breakout season, Onwuzirke could become an important contributor for any team.
