In the 2024 NFL Playoffs, the Detroit Lions were awarded the first seed in the NFC. With a 15-2 record at the end of the regular season, the club will now wait to discover who they face in the divisional round. There probably aren’t many holes on a team’s squad when they finish 15-2. On the other hand, the secondary is the Lions’ weak point. With veteran Carlton Davis set to become a free agent in the offseason, the Lions, who rank 30th in the league in passing defense, could lose him. In a recent piece, Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus suggested one free player that every team need to sign this offseason. Locker proposed taking away a division rival’s $17.5 million beginning salary for the Lions defender.
The Minnesota Vikings’ Byron Murphy Jr. has had an amazing season. In addition to recording a career-high number of tackles and interceptions, the seasoned cornerback also received his highest PFF coverage grade to date. Locker provided the following analysis, expressing his belief that the defense would be a good fit in Detroit: “It’s hard to truly pinpoint a lot of weaknesses on a team that’s 15-2, but the Lions might need to shore up their cornerback room going into 2025,” Locker stated. Terrion Arnold (50.4 PFF coverage grade) did not perform well in his debut regular season, and both Kindle Vildor and Carlton Davis have contracts that are about to expire. Murphy would be eligible, and the Lions have enough cash (about $57 million) to make a splash with a deal.
“The 26-year-old was at his best with the rival Vikings this year, notching a career-high 72.6 PFF coverage grade,” Locker said. “Among eligible cornerbacks, Murphy has the 23rd-best passer rating (80.5) when targeted. Murphy would be a great consolation prize, but Detroit will probably try to keep Davis after acquiring him earlier this year. Prior to the 2023 season, Murphy agreed to a two-year, $17.5 million contract with the Vikings. The veteran, who just finished his greatest season, will now once more be eligible for free agency. The Lions will have enough cash on hand to make a big offseason acquisition, as Locker said. Murphy Jr. might be a fit for the Lions if Detroit doesn’t bring Davis back and doesn’t trust Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
