By Sunday 
In Detroit, grit is gospel — especially on defense. But as the Lions gear up for the 2025 season, two key figures of their physical secondary from 2024 have officially taken their talents elsewhere. Former Lions cornerbacks Kindle Vildor and Carlton Davis not only cracked Pro Football Focus’ list of the NFL’s most physical defensive backs, they’ve also cracked Detroit fans’ hearts by leaving just as their impact was gaining recognition.
Lions Defense Built on Contact
There’s no mistaking the Lions’ defensive DNA under head coach Dan Campbell — press-man, aggressive, and unapologetically physical. It’s why seeing two former Lions on PFF’s top-10 most physical DBs list doesn’t come as a surprise.
Kindle Vildor, now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led the entire league in physical coverage with contact on a whopping 50.5% of his snaps. Used primarily in dime packages and when injuries thinned the Lions’ secondary, Vildor made his presence known — often literally — with his hands on receivers early and often.
But the aggressive style came with its drawbacks.
“He was called for four penalties on 100 coverage snaps where he made contact with the opposing receiver and also allowed six first downs and 1.54 yards per coverage snap on those plays,” PFF’s John Kosko noted, awarding Vildor a coverage grade of just 29.1.
Even so, his physical presence made him a useful cog in Detroit’s depth-driven defense — and that role will now need filling.
Davis Cashes In, Heads to New England
On the flip side, Carlton Davis’s physicality proved more effective. Ranking sixth on the PFF list with contact on 42.3% of his snaps, Davis locked down his side of the field with minimal damage: just one touchdown allowed across three seasons when initiating contact, and a stingy 40.6% completion rate in those situations.
After a short but productive stint in Detroit, Davis secured a lucrative three-year deal with the Patriots worth up to $60 million — proof that physical corners still cash big in today’s NFL.
What This Means for the Lions
Losing two of the top-10 most physical coverage defenders in one offseason might seem like a gut punch. But if Lions history under this regime tells us anything, it’s that they value — and develop — toughness. Whether it’s rookies stepping up or new acquisitions fitting the mold, Detroit’s identity on defense isn’t going anywhere.
Still, it stings a bit seeing these two take their hard-nosed game to other cities.