6 Possible Replacements For Carlton Davis

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As it stands, Carlton Davis is not likely to return to Detroit, based on his recent comments. He essentially said the Lions aren’t looking to pay him the way he wants, and that this time around he’s not taking anything less than top dollar. Obviously, this is bad news for the Lions, as cornerback is a very valuable position, especially on this defense. Lets take a look at some possible replacements for Davis.

Darius Slay:

Obviously, Slay was drafted by Detroit back in 2013, where he spent the next 7 seasons of his career, with his best season coming in 2017 when he was an All-Pro. However, Slay is going into this season at age 34, so he’s not a long term solution. Slay has made it clear he would be open to returning to Detroit, when he recently said it’s either Philadelphia or Detroit, if he comes back. Slay had a solid season last year, ranking 4th in pass break-ups with 12, and allowed a completion rate of just 51.7%, down from the 64% he allowed the season prior. He had a 67.6 overall PFF grade and a 68.9 coverage grade, which ranked 69th and 52nd among corners respectively. Obviously, Slay is not the lockdown corner the once was, but he would be a solid veteran addition as a CB2 or CB3. He is likely to command between $10 and $12 million on a 1-year deal.

Charvarius Ward:

Ward, 29, is on the older side, but he could make some sense with Davis likely gone. Ward had a down year after the tragedy of losing his daughter, which is understandable after going through something like that. He played and started in 12 games, allowing 48 catches on 31 targets, 378 yards, a QB rating of 123.4, 64.6% catch rate, 15% target rate, and 5 touchdowns to 0 interceptions. At 6’1″ 196 lbs, he has the size you’d like in a true CB1, and essentially has the same size and length as Davis. His PFF grades weren’t great, with a 56.2 overall grade and a coverage grade of 58.2, but I think his play will improve in Detroit. He mentioned that California reminds him of his daughter, and it’s hard for him to live there, so I definitely expect him to leave San Francisco. I also expect his play to return to that of years past, with more time to grieve the loss of his daughter. Ward would make a lot of sense on a 1 year deal after the season he had, and he is being valued at around $15-$17 million per year. I personally wouldn’t give that, as you never know if he will return to form. I’d offer a 1 year deal at $12.5 million to start, and if he doesn’t take it, I’d offer $14 million max. Brad Holmes reportedly doesn’t want to pay more than $12 million per year, which is why Davis is likely gone, but I’d be willing to go over that number for a guy like Ward.

DJ Reed:

Reed, 28, is another solid backup option with Davis likely to sign elsewhere. Starting all 14 games he played in, he allowed 32 catches on 52 targets for 373 yards and a touchdown last year. He also allowed a 61.5% catch rate, a 14.7% target rate, 2.1 yards of separation, a QB rating of 89.7, and forced tight window throws 36.5% of the time. PFF gave him an overall grade of 70.7, a coverage grade of 70.1, and a run defense grade of 71.8. He is a solid, relatively young corner that I think would fit pretty well here. He is valued at around $13-$15 million per year, which is right around where I’d feel comfortable. The one thing I don’t love about adding Reed is his size, at 5’9″ 187 lbs, you’d feel a lot less comfortable with him 1-on-1 on the outside. I’d offer a 2 year deal worth $28 million total, giving him $14 million per year. The real issue I see with Reed is the redundancy with Robertson, similar size, and similar play. I would probably have Reed as my 3rd or 4th option.

Byron Murphy:

Murphy, 27, is coming off of one of the better seasons of his career, racking up 6 interceptions for the Vikings last year. He played and started all 17 games, allowing 75 catches on 113 targets for 792 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also allowed a catch rate of 65.8%, target rate of 17.8%, average separation of 3.2 yards per target, a QB rating of 75.6, and forced tight window throws 21.1% of the time. PFF gave him an overall grade of 72.8, run defense grade of 68.0 and a coverage grade of 72.6. One thing that worries me is his size, he’s bigger than Reed at 5’11” 190 lbs, but he doesn’t quite have prototypical size to play outside. That’s probably fine though, as he’s not small enough to be that worried. Brad Holmes loves that build at corner as well, as he’s shown over the years. He also adds versatility to the room, having played 678 snaps outside and 259 snaps in the slot last year. Murphy is probably the ‘best option’ for the Lions at corner. His market value is between $12-$15 million per year, which isn’t terrible for a player with his production. Id offer him a 2 year deal worth $25 million, or $12.5 million per year and feel pretty good about it. He may see better offers, and Murphy would be a guy you’d be willing to pay a little more for, if needed. I could also see him not wanting to sign here after some comments he made during the season, but that might just be as simple as competition between rival teams.

Paulson Adebo: (Signed a 3-year $30 million deal with New York Giants)

Adebo, 25, would be a pretty solid option for the Lions. He is young, and relatively productive, with 52 tackles, 10 passes defensed, and 3 interceptions last season, in just 7 games played. Unfortunately, he suffered a broken femur injury in week 7 vs Denver, sidelining him for the season. He allowed a passer rating of 67.0, and a completion percentage of 60% last year before getting hurt. He will be relatively cheap as well, with his projected market value at $11 million per year, right under the number Holmes wants. At 6’1 192 lbs, Adebo fits the model of your prototypical outside corner. Adebo might be my favorite of the entire group for his age, play style, and fit in Detroit. Although he played for New Orleans, he was not on the roster when Dan was there, so there was no overlap. Adebo would bring a lengthy, play-making, outside corner presence the Lions will need with Davis leaving town. I’d offer him a 3 year deal worth up $33 million, with some incentives built in. Coming off the injury, and having had a somewhat up and down career, I think that’s a fair deal.

Asante Samuel Jr:

Samuel, 25, has been a solid corner throughout his career so far. He had some injury issues last year, which ended his season after just 4 games. When he was on the field last season, he was shaky. PFF gave him an overall grade of 59.3, and a coverage grade of 58.6. Obviously, Samuel isn’t ‘the answer’ at corner, but he offers some young potential that has shown he can play. At 5’10” 185 lbs, he doesn’t exactly scream starting outside corner, which worries me a bit for his fit here. Last year, he allowed 13 catches on 19 targets for 143 yards and 0 touchdowns. He allowed a catch rate of 68.4%, target rate of 16.8%, 2.3 yards of separation per target, a QB rating of 90.5, and forced tight window throws 21.1% of the time. In my opinion, he would benefit from this coaching staff and scheme, and with his youth and potential, it makes even more sense. His market value is between $10-$12 million per year, which is not egregious. However, it is a bit more than I’d like to pay a guy coming off a season cut short to injury, who wasn’t playing that well when on the field. I’d offer Samuel a 2-3 year deal, worth up to $11 million per year, low on guarantees and heavy on incentives. If he can play up to his potential, that’s a steal of a deal. If not, well, I hope it is structured in a way that we can get rid of him relatively easily.

There is a slight chance Holmes decides to not sign a corner, I don’t see that happening, but it’s possible. After using a 1st and 2nd round pick on Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw respectively, he may just sign depth to save money.

Free Agency opens officially tomorrow at 4pm EST, but the legal tampering period begins today at 12pm EST, meaning players can sign ‘unofficially.’ The Lions have some things to consider, cornerback being one, as they try to make the push for their first Super Bowl.

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