The Detroit Lions invested heavily in their secondary during the 2024 offseason, drafting Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr., signing Amik Robertson, and trading for Carlton Davis. These moves have largely paid off, with the Lions’ secondary performing well this season. Safety has been a particular strength, with Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch both putting together All-Pro caliber campaigns.
However, the future beyond 2024 is less certain. Davis is set to become a free agent, and the Lions may need to rely on Rakestraw to step into a starting role. The rookie, currently on injured reserve, has seen minimal playing time this season, leaving his readiness for an expanded role in question.
If Davis departs in 2025, the Lions would benefit from adding veteran depth as a backup plan for Rakestraw. Bleacher Report‘s Matt Holder has suggested that Carolina Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson could be a potential option.
Jackson, who briefly played for the Lions in 2019, found stability with the Seattle Seahawks, where he became a starter over three seasons. He joined the Panthers in 2024 and has started all 13 games this season. While his coverage stats are average—allowing completions on 64.8% of passes and a passer rating of 103.9—he could still be a reliable backup option.
With significant financial resources tied up in their core players, the Lions might let Davis walk in 2025 and lean on their younger talent at cornerback. If that happens, signing Jackson as an experienced insurance policy would be a practical move.
