Exit Interviews: Revamped CB personnel allowed Lions to reshape defense to vision; decision on Davis looms
Wrapping up the Detroit Lions’ 2024 season, we’re doing a position-by-position evaluation of the roster. Today, we’ll focus on the play of the team’s cornerbacks.
The straightforward stats
Carlton Davis: 13 games, 697 defensive snaps, 56 tackles, 11 pass defenses, two interceptions, one forced fumble
Terrion Arnold: 17 games, 948 defensive snaps, 60 tackles, 10 pass defenses, one fumble recovery
Amik Robertson: 17 games, 629 defensive snaps, 50 tackles, eight pass defenses, three forced fumbles
Kindle Vildor: 17 games, 244 defensive snaps, 16 tackles, three pass defenses
Advanced metrics
The Lions overhauled their cornerback personnel ahead of the season, intent on playing more man coverage. That plan paid off, with Detroit running man schemes a league-high 44% of passing plays, up from 28% the previous season.
The new personnel proved sticky in coverage, with Davis, Arnold and Robertson each holding opposing quarterbacks to a completion percentage under 60.2%. Compare those figures to the previous season, when outside corners Cam Sutton and Jerry Jacobs gave up catches on 67.4% and 66.2% of targets, respectively.
The alteration in aggression did come with an expected consequence, one that showed up more early in the season than late. The Lions paced the league with 19 defensive pass interference infractions. Arnold was the primary culprit, drawing seven flags, followed by Davis with five.
Still, it’s notable that more than 70% of the rookie’s DPI calls came in the first four games.