The Detroit Lions are gearing up for their NFC Divisional Round matchup against the Washington Commanders, aiming to secure a second consecutive trip to the NFC Championship Game. After a stellar 15-2 regular season, including 14 wins in their last 15 games, Detroit is in prime form. Head coach Dan Campbell’s team has been a force on both sides of the ball, with their explosive offense leading the way and Aaron Glenn’s defense holding steady despite a slew of injuries.
One of the more significant setbacks this season has been the loss of veteran cornerback Carlton Davis. Davis suffered a fractured jaw during a Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills and is unlikely to return for Detroit’s playoff campaign, as confirmed by Campbell. Before his injury, Davis had been one of the Lions’ top defensive contributors and a key part of their secondary. With his contract set to expire, Davis is expected to draw significant interest in free agency, leaving the Lions with a potential hole to fill at cornerback.
If the Lions are unable to retain Davis, NFL analyst Kristopher Knox from Bleacher Report suggests that Buffalo Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas could be a viable replacement. Knox praised Douglas for his experience and skill set, highlighting his combination of size (6’2″, 209 lbs) and ball-handling ability, which make him a solid option for teams in need of help in the secondary. Knox added that Douglas has been a consistent presence for the Bills when healthy, starting 15 games this season.
Douglas recorded 18 defensive stops and defended five passes during the regular season. However, he has struggled in coverage at times, allowing a 74.1% completion rate on 54 targets and a 119.2 passer rating when quarterbacks threw his way. Despite these challenges, he rebounded during Buffalo’s wild card round win over the Denver Broncos, where he allowed just a 39.6 passer rating when targeted.
As a Super Bowl LII champion, Douglas could bring valuable veteran leadership to Detroit’s secondary. While he might not match the Pro Bowl-caliber performance of Carlton Davis this season, Douglas could provide much-needed depth at the cornerback position without being overly expensive. Knox cautioned, however, that Douglas should not be relied upon as a high-level starter for a team with championship aspirations.
Ultimately, if Davis departs in free agency, Douglas might offer the Lions a reliable, cost-effective option to fortify their secondary, even if he represents a step down in overall talent.
Leave a Reply