The Detroit Lions have been one of the most formidable teams in the NFL this season, as Dan Campbell's squad is 13-2 and is tied for the NFC North lead and the No.1 seed in the conference with the Minnesota Vikings, though the Lions hold the head to head advantage over the Vikings due to their win versus Minnesota in Week 7. Detroit will travel to Levi's Stadium to square off against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football in Week 17.
The Lions' defense has had an exceptional season, as Aaron Glenn's unit is allowing just 19.9 points per game, tied for the sixth-fewest with the Green Bay Packers, and has overcome a plethora of injuries to key starters, including cornerback Carlton Davis.
Davis was having a solid 2024 campaign before breaking his jaw during the Lions Week 15 contest versus the Buffalo Bills. The 27-year-old snagged two interceptions and allowed just a 59.7% completion rate when targeted in 13 games this year. Davis was placed on Injured Reserve shortly after his injury in Week 15, and Dan Campbell stated on Dec.20 that he isn't optimistic that the team will get the veteran back this season.
Davis may have played his final snap as a Lion, as the former Auburn standout will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and general manager Brad Holmes could look to move on. If Davis isn't back in Detroit next year, Bleacher Report's Matt Holder predicts the Lions will select East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Davis, Dorsey, Emmanuel Moseley and Kindle Vildor are all impending free agents, so expect Brad Holmes to use one of his first draft picks on a cornerback for the second year in a row. The East Carolina product is coming off a torn ACL, but he has plenty of traits to be a quality corner at the next level.
Revel Jr. played in just three games in 2024 after tearing his ACL during a practice leading up to East Carolina's matchup versus Liberty on Sept.21, a game the Pirates lost. Though Revel Jr. suffered a significant injury just three games into his senior season, the North Carolina native still snagged two interceptions this season and allowed just a 40.9% completion rate on 22 targets.
Revel played 328 coverage snaps and started 12 games for East Carolina during his junior campaign in 2023, and allowed a 44.2% completion rate on 43 targets and a 61.2 passer rating when targeted. The 2023 Second-Team All-American Athletic Conference selection has outstanding length and good height at 6'3 and is also a superb athlete.
If the Lions fail to re-sign Davis this offseason, pairing Shavon Revel Jr. with Terrion Arnold would give Detroit two young and talented boundary cornerbacks for the future.
