By Blessing 
The Detroit Lions made significant changes to their cornerback group last offseason, headlined by acquiring Carlton Davis from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Davis delivered a standout season but suffered a broken jaw in Week 15, sidelining him for the remainder of the year. Now, with free agency looming, the Lions face a crucial decision about his future.
Davis is expected to explore his options in free agency, as any player in his position should. With multiple suitors likely to be interested, the Lions may find it challenging to match his potential market value. General Manager Brad Holmes, known for his strategic roster moves, may have to pivot if the price to retain Davis becomes too steep. Adding to the challenge, Kindle Vildor, another cornerback on the roster, is also set to hit free agency.
Beyond the cornerback position, Detroit has other financial considerations, including securing safety Kerby Joseph’s contract. These factors could make it difficult to offer Davis a long-term, lucrative deal if he aims to maximize his earnings. The Lions should have a sense of his intentions before free agency officially kicks off.
If Davis does depart, the Lions could target a top-tier cornerback on the market. However, a more budget-friendly option seems likely. Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports suggested a potential under-the-radar target for the team.
“Here’s maybe a forgotten free agent that could be the gem of the class. Paulson Adebo suffered a broken femur in Week 7, but was having a career year before being injured. In just seven games played, Adebo recorded 52 combined tackles, a whopping 10 passes defensed and three interceptions. The Lions need to upgrade the secondary, and Adebo would do just that.”
Adebo, a former third-round pick from Stanford, has spent four seasons with the New Orleans Saints. Before his injury in Week 7, he was on track for a career-best year. Pro Football Focus ranked him as a top-15 cornerback in both 2022 (11th) and 2023 (15th).
Despite the severity of his injury, Adebo has expressed confidence that he will be ready for training camp. Any team considering signing him will likely monitor his rehab progress closely.
Financially, Adebo presents a more affordable option than Davis. Spotrac estimates Adebo’s market value at $11.1 million annually, compared to Davis’ $13.8 million. Additionally, Adebo’s potential contract length is projected to be a year shorter (two years versus three years for Davis).
Given Adebo’s skill set and production, he offers a compelling option for the Lions if Davis moves on. He could be a smart and affordable solution to bolster Detroit’s secondary heading into the next season.