The Detroit Lions have been one of the most formidable teams in the NFL this season, as Dan Campbell’s squad has posted a 14-2 record through 16 games and will end the 2024 regular season with a perfect 8-0 record on the road. The Lions will host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football in Week 18 in a contest that will decide the NFC North champion and No.1 seed in the conference.
The Lions’ defense has had a strong 2024 campaign, but the unit has struggled over the last few weeks, allowing 34 or more points in three of the past four games, including 48 points allowed to the Buffalo Bills in Week 15. Aaron Glenn’s unit has been decimated by injuries, with cornerback Carlton Davis being one of the major losses. Davis fractured his jaw versus the Bills a few weeks ago and is unlikely to return this season, per Dan Campbell.
With Davis out, Detroit’s secondary has taken a step back, and the veteran defensive back will also be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. If general manager Brad Holmes is unable to re-sign the 2018 second-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder predicts the Lions will sign Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton in 2025 free agency to replace Davis.
“Detroit is expected to be a big player in the cornerback market this offseason,” Holder wrote. “The defense needs another starter, especially Carlton Davis and Kindle Vildor are impending free agents.”
“While Fulton doesn’t have a strong track record through his first four seasons, he’s revived his career in Los Angeles this fall,” Holder added.
Fulton has had an up-and-down career but is having a solid season with the Chargers, snagging one interception with a 71.0 PFF coverage grade in 13 starts. The former LSU Tiger has also knocked away seven passes and is allowing a 64.9% completion rate.
Though Fulton has been a serviceable starter for Los Angeles in 2024, the 26-year-old isn’t a high-level player, and the Lions should avoid signing him if the price is too high. Additionally, Detroit spent a second-round pick on Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the 2024 NFL Draft, so the team could look to give Rakestraw the starting role opposite Terrion Arnold next year. The former Missouri standout has appeared in just eight games this season and is currently on Injured Reserve with a hamstring injury.
Overall, signing Fulton to a team-friendly deal would be a savvy move from Brad Holmes, but the 2020 second-round pick of the Tennessee Titans isn’t a reliable starter, and the Lions will have other options available to address cornerback this offseason.
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