With the possibility that Carlton Davis might leave the Detroit Lions, the team would need to pivot, and a sneaky free agent option has been suggested.

Last offseason, the Detroit Lions revamped their cornerback depth chart, bringing in Carlton Davis through a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Davis then had an excellent season, but his campaign was cut short when he suffered a broken jaw in Week 15. Davis is set to become a free agent, leaving the Lions with a significant decision to make.

While Davis should test the open market, as all players do, it’s likely he will attract several suitors. If the Lions set a limit on the years and money they are willing to offer him, they may need to pivot to other options, and general manager Brad Holmes has proven capable of doing so. From a cornerback depth perspective, Kindle Vildor is also a free agent.

With other key contracts to consider, including safety Kerby Joseph, Davis may become too expensive to re-sign for the Lions if he seeks a deal at market value. The team should have a good sense of where Davis stands before free agency begins.

Lions urged to target an under-the-radar free agent if Carlton Davis exits

If Davis does leave in free agency, the Lions may consider re-investing near the top of the cornerback market. However, a more affordable free agent option could be the way to go. Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports highlighted one player who could be a hidden gem for the Lions to prioritize.

“Here’s a potential forgotten free agent who could be the steal of the class. Paulson Adebo suffered a broken femur in Week 7, but was having a career year before the injury. In just seven games, Adebo had 52 combined tackles, 10 passes defensed, and three interceptions. The Lions need to bolster their secondary, and Adebo would be a good fit.”

Adebo, a third-round pick from Stanford by the Saints in 2021, has spent his first four seasons in New Orleans. Before his injury in Week 7 against the Denver Broncos, he was on pace for a career-best season in several areas. Pro Football Focus ranked him as a top-15 cornerback in 2022 (11th) and 2023 (15th).

Despite his unfortunate timing, Adebo expects to be ready for training camp, and teams that show interest in him during free agency will check on his rehab progress.

Spotrac has Adebo’s market value at $11.1 million annually, compared to $13.8 million for Davis, with Adebo projected to sign a one-year shorter deal than Davis (two years vs. three years).

Adebo’s skill set and past production make him a solid fit for the Lions, providing a good fallback option if Davis departs.