The Detroit Lions earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC in the 2024 NFL Playoffs. The team finished the regular season with a 15-2 record and will now wait to see who they play in the divisional round.
When a team finishes 15-2, that means there likely aren’t many holes on the roster. However, if the Lions have a weakness, it’s in the secondary. The Lions are 30th in the league in passing defense, and they may lose veteran Carlton Davis during the offseason, as he's slated to hit free agency.
Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus recently penned an article identifying one free agent each team should sign this offseason. For the Lions, Locker suggested stealing away a division rival’s $17.5 million starting defender.
Byron Murphy Jr. of the Minnesota Vikings has had an incredible season. The veteran corner has notched a career-high in tackles and interceptions and also earned the highest PFF coverage grade of his career.
Locker believes the defender would fit in well in Detroit and offered the following analysis:
"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 wrote.
"Carlton Davis and Kindle Vildor are both on expiring contracts, and Terrion Arnold (50.4 PFF coverage grade) underwhelmed in his first regular season. The Lions have enough money (about $57 million) to make waves with a signing, and Murphy would qualify.
"The 26-year-old was at his best with the rival Vikings this year, notching a career-high 72.6 PFF coverage grade," Locker continued. "Murphy’s 80.5 passer rating allowed when targeted is also the 23rd-best mark among qualified cornerbacks. Detroit will likely try to keep Davis after acquiring him before this year, but Murphy would be a strong consolation prize."
Murphy signed a two-year, $17.5 million deal with the Vikings ahead of the 2023 season. Now, the veteran will enter free agency again fresh off his best campaign.
As Locker mentioned, the Lions will have plenty of money to make a splashy move this offseason. If Detroit doesn't bring Davis back and isn't confident in Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Murphy Jr. could be an option for the Lions.
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