The Detroit Lions are currently dealing with a slew of injuries, but for many of the positions, the solutions are fairly straightforward. For example, with running back David Montgomery sidelined, it’s almost certain that Craig Reynolds will see an increased role. Likewise, on the defensive line, Levi Onwuzurike is the natural candidate to step in for Alim McNeill.
However, the situation is more complex at cornerback.
With Carlton Davis expected to be out for the remainder of both the regular season and the playoffs, the Lions now need to find a reliable player who can start at outside cornerback. As head coach Dan Campbell pointed out earlier in the week, there are several potential options to consider.
“Emmanuel Moseley is someone we have on the roster,” Campbell said. “You’ve got Kindle Vildor, who helped us out and finished the game last week. We still have Terrion Arnold (TA), and Brian Branch is someone we need to discuss. Do we keep him where he’s at, or do we move him? Then we’ve got Amik Robertson—do we keep him inside or move him outside? And Ifeatu Melifonwu (Iffy)—do we start his clock this week?”
With a range of possible candidates, the Lions have various ways to address the hole left by Davis’s injury. So the big question now is: How should the Lions replace Carlton Davis?
I’ll break my answer into two parts: what I think the Lions will do and what I think they should do.
What the Lions Will Likely Do
For this week, I think the Lions will take the easiest route and replace Davis with Kindle Vildor. Detroit has shown a liking for Vildor, who brings a veteran presence to the secondary. Vildor is also familiar with the league, having played for the Chicago Bears for several seasons and gaining plenty of experience at Soldier Field. Given the amount of rotation and changes the Lions defense has already undergone this season, it makes sense for the team to avoid further disruption at this point, especially with such a critical stretch of games ahead. Vildor is a safe, uncomplicated choice to fill in for Davis.
What I’d Like to See Happen
While Vildor may be the most straightforward option, I’d prefer to see the Lions take a more creative approach. Specifically, I’d like to see them move Amik Robertson to the outside cornerback spot, while shifting Emmanuel Moseley into the nickel role. There are a few reasons for this approach. First, Robertson has the potential to be a reliable outside corner, and this would allow the Lions to test out Moseley’s health and readiness after his long recovery from injury.
Of course, this strategy carries some risk. Moseley hasn’t played much at all over the past three seasons, so his ability to perform at a high level is uncertain. The Lions would be taking a chance by relying on Moseley, but head coach Dan Campbell has expressed optimism about Moseley’s progress this week.
“This is the best week he’s had since coming back from injury,” Campbell said. “He looks so much more comfortable, and he’s moving well. It’s been two really great days for him.”
If there were ever a time to experiment with Moseley’s return to form, this might be it. The upcoming game against the Chicago Bears will likely be the least challenging offense the Lions face for the rest of the season. While Moseley’s health is still a question mark, the Bears offense provides an opportunity for the Lions to test him out in a lower-stakes situation.
What the Lions Should Avoid Doing
The one move I hope the Lions don’t make is adjusting their safety positions. Brian Branch has already been playing a significant amount in the nickel cornerback role, and the safety position has been the most consistent and effective part of Detroit’s defense throughout the season. The Lions have found success with Branch and the other safeties playing where they’re currently positioned, so I would rather they not disrupt that cohesion, especially with the playoffs looming. Rearranging the safety group could create more problems than it solves.
Final Thoughts
To summarize, my ideal solution for the Lions’ cornerback situation this week would be to place Amik Robertson on the outside and let Emmanuel Moseley step in at nickel. Moseley’s health and readiness are uncertain, but given the Bears’ weaker offensive lineup, this might be the perfect time to experiment. Vildor is the likely option, but I would prefer a more bold approach.
The most important thing is that the Lions don’t alter the safety setup. The safety group has been a cornerstone of the defense all season, and tampering with that could disrupt the team’s defensive success. Keeping Branch and the other safeties in their current roles allows the Lions to maintain defensive stability as they face an uncertain few weeks ahead.
How do you think the Lions should approach replacing Carlton Davis at cornerback this week? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below!
