Lions $14 million defender predicted to depart Detroit for Rams | Sporting News

The Detroit Lions have been dominant in 2024, as Dan Campbell’s squad is 12-1 and has sole possession of the No.1 seed in the NFC through 14 weeks. The Lions picked up an impressive divisional victory over the Green Bay Packers in Week 14 and will host the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field in Week 15.

The Lions’ roster is one of the deepest in the sport, and one unit that has impressed in 2024 has been the secondary. The group is anchored by the elite safety duo of Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, but cornerback Carlton Davis has also been an integral part of the secondary this season. The 27-year-old was traded to the Lions from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2024 offseason and has been one of the most dependable corners in the NFC.

Davis is set to hit unrestricted free agency this offseason, and The 33rd Team’s Tyler Brooke believes an ideal landing spot for the veteran defensive back would be the Los Angeles Rams.

Davis has been a solid cornerback throughout his career. He has 11 interceptions, 84 pass breakups, 310 solo tackles, and four forced fumbles.

Despite the ball-hawking production, Davis can also get beat. His feast-or-famine play style has had him allow a 93.7 passer rating during his career, with 34 touchdowns allowed.

That feast-or-famine play style would fit best with a team that has safety help over the top, much like he’s had in Detroit. The Rams have some solid safety play with Kamren Curl and Kamren Kinchens, with the potential to bring John Johnson III back. Plus, they still need a cornerback.

That, combined with a dominant young front seven to pressure quarterbacks, could make life a whole lot easier for Davis in 2025.

The Rams lack a reliable CB1 on the boundary, and Davis would immediately fix that problem. The 2018 second-round pick has snagged two interceptions and is allowing just a 59.7% completion rate and an 87.9 passer rating when targeted in 2024. Davis has also posted a 71.8 coverage grade and a 74.7 run defense grade.

Los Angeles is projected to have over $56 million in cap space this offseason, per Over the Cap, and with defensive back being a pressing need, paying Davis a lucrative contract to serve as the team’s primary corner would be a savvy move by the Rams.

The Lions would be foolish not to attempt to re-sign Davis, but if the Super Bowl LV champion decides to depart Detroit in the offseason, the Rams would be a fascinating destination for the talented cornerback.

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