Detroit, MI

Lions free agency preview: Detroit faces key decisions in rebuilding secondary

Published

1 year ago

March 9, 2025

Lions free agency preview: Detroit faces key decisions in rebuilding secondary

This is the sixth in our series previewing the Detroit Lions’ needs heading into free agency. The legal tampering window opens at noon on Monday, and deals can be signed starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 12. Today: Cornerback/Safety. Previously: Quarterbacks | Wide receivers and Tight Ends | Offensive Line | Running backs |Defensive line/EDGE

Under contract: Cornerbacks: Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, Ennis Rakestraw, Stantley Thomas-Oliver

Safeties: Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Loren Strickland, Erick Hallett

Expiring deals: Cornerbacks: Emmanuel Moseley, Khalil Dorsey, Kindle Vildor

Safeties: Ifeatu Melifonwu

Best available: Cornerbacks: Carlton Davis (Lions), Charvarius Ward (49ers), D.J. Reed (Jets), Darius Slay (Eagles), Byron Murphy (Vikings)

Safeties: Jevon Holland (Dolphins), Tre’von Moehrig (Raiders), Justin Reid (Chiefs), Camryn Bynum (Vikings), Talanoa Hufanga (49ers)

Other potential Lions fits: Cornerbacks: Carlton Davis (Lions), Charvarius Ward (49ers), D.J. Reed (Jets), Darius Slay (Eagles), Byron Murphy (Vikings)

Safeties: Ifeatu Melifonwu (Lions), Mike Edwards (Buccaneers), Marcus Maye (Chargers), Will Harris (Saints), Talanoa Hufanga (49ers)

Breakdown: Of the several position groups the Lions must address in free agency, one could argue the secondary is the most important.

Acquired by the Lions last year in a trade with the Buccaneers, Carlton Davis III instantly upgraded their cornerback corps with his high-level play last season.

Before breaking his jaw in Week 15 against Buffalo, Davis was on pace to log career highs. He finished the year with 42 solo tackles, 11 passes defended, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 13 games.

Adding to that, Davis allowed only two receiving touchdowns, and opposing quarterbacks completed just 55.3% of their passes when targeting him.

While Davis’ production warrants the Lions considering re-signing him, his availability raises concerns. The seven-year veteran has yet to play a full NFL season, missing as many as four games per year over the past three seasons.

Davis’ absence proved significant for Detroit, as he missed the final three games, including the divisional-round loss to the Commanders.

There are pros and cons to re-signing Davis. If the contract length is reasonable and the salary isn’t too hefty, the Lions should bring him back and hope for a healthy season. But if he becomes too expensive, the Lions have options.

One intriguing possibility is San Francisco’s Charvarius Ward.

Over the past six seasons, Ward has proved to be an above-average starter at cornerback, earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors in 2023. He allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete just 54.1% of their passes when targeting him.

It’s unclear what type of payday Ward will seek, but he could come slightly cheaper than Davis and without the injury concerns.

Jets cornerback D.J. Reed could also be an option, depending on the price. Opposing quarterbacks completed just 46.3% of their passes when targeting Reed last season. He allowed just two passing touchdowns and a 63.0 passer rating as the primary defender in coverage.

As for Byron Murphy, it’s highly likely the Vikings find a way to retain him.

However, if the Lions are unable to re-sign Davis or land Ward, a reunion with Darius Slay on a one-year deal makes the most sense. Slay has said Detroit and Philadelphia are the only two places he’d like to play next season.

With the Lions needing a cornerback, Slay would provide a high-level starter opposite Terrion Arnold as the team evaluates Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

Switching from cornerbacks to safeties, the Lions also have a significant decision regarding Ifeatu Melifonwu’s future in Detroit. The fourth-year player blossomed in 2023 and was key in the Lions’ run to the NFC title game.

That said, Melifonwu was largely absent last season due to injury. He suited up for the final three games, including the divisional-round matchup. If the Lions decide to bring him back, it would essentially be based on his 2023 production—24 tackles, eight passes defended, five quarterback hits, three sacks and two interceptions.

Keeping Melifonwu could be too costly unless he agrees to a team-friendly deal. If the Lions move on, Tampa Bay’s Mike Edwards is an option due to his versatility in the secondary.

A potential sneaky fit for Detroit could be Talanoa Hufanga. He earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2022 but has dealt with injury concerns in recent years. If he’s willing to sign a one-year “prove-it” deal, he could be a solid option at box safety for the Lions.

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Detroit, MI

Tigers top Chicago White Sox 4-1; Detroit pitcher Troy Melton allows 1 hit in 6 innings

Published

4 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Press Room

Tigers top Chicago White Sox 4-1; Detroit pitcher Troy Melton allows 1 hit in 6 innings

June 20, 2026 / 4:22 PM EDT
/ AP

Troy Melton allowed one hit in six innings and the Detroit Tigers’ offense came alive late in a 4-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday.

Dillon Dingler had two hits, including a home run, and drove in two runs as Detroit won its second straight game after losing four of five.

Melton (4-0) gave up a homer to Sam Antonacci on his second pitch of the game but allowed only four more baserunners — on three walks and a hit batter. He struck out five while allowing two or fewer runs for the fourth time in five starts this season.

Two Tigers relievers finished, with Kenley Jansen pitching the ninth for his ninth save.

Sean Newcomb started Chicago’s bullpen game with three perfect innings, but Tyler Davis walked the bases loaded with two out in the fourth. Joe Rock came out of the White Sox bullpen and struck out pinch-hitter Jahmai Jones to loud boos from the Comerica Park crowd.

With a runner on first and two out in the fifth, Kevin McGonigle got Detroit’s first hit of the game — the first hit for either team since Antonacci’s leadoff homer.

Dillon Dingler followed with an RBI single off Rock (0-1) to tie the game.

Detroit took the lead in the sixth when Spencer Torkelson doubled and scored on James Outman’s single. Jake Rogers made it 3-1 later in the inning with an RBI single.

Chicago didn’t get its second hit until Braden Montgomery doubled off Tyler Holton with one out in the seventh.

Dingler hit his 17th homer in the seventh, giving Detroit a 4-1 lead.

Up next

The teams finish the series Sunday in what was originally scheduled to be Justin Verlander’s first start as a Tigers player in Detroit since 2017. His hamstring strain means RHP Keider Montero (3-5, 3.67) will come back from the bullpen to face RHP Davis Martin (9-3, 3.31).

In:

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Detroit, MI

Today in History: June 20, race-related rioting erupts in Detroit

Published

14 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Press Room

Today is Saturday, June 20, the 171st day of 2026. There are 194 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On June 20, 1943, race-related rioting erupted in Detroit; federal troops were sent in by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to quell the violence that resulted in more than 30 deaths.

Also on this date:

In 1782, the Continental Congress approved the Great Seal of the United States, featuring the emblem of the bald eagle.

In 1837, Queen Victoria acceded to the British throne following the death of her uncle, King William IV.

In 1893, a jury in New Bedford, Massachusetts, found Lizzie Borden not guilty of the ax murders of her father and stepmother.

In 1947, gangster Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel was shot dead at the Beverly Hills, California, home of his girlfriend, Virginia Hill, likely at the order of mob associates.

In 1967, boxer Muhammad Ali was convicted in Houston of violating Selective Service laws by refusing to be drafted and was sentenced to five years in prison. (Ali’s conviction would ultimately be overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court).

In 1972, three days after the arrest of the Watergate burglars, President Richard Nixon met at the White House with his chief of staff, H.R. Haldeman; the secretly made tape recording of this meeting ended up with a notorious 18 1/2-minute gap.

In 2002, in Atkins v. Virginia, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that executing people with intellectual disabilities qualified as cruel and unusual punishment and was therefore in violation of the Eighth Amendment.

In 2025, a powerful tornado tore across southeastern North Dakota with winds topping 200 mph (322 kph) and an EF5 category, the strongest classification for a tornado and the first of that strength confirmed on U.S. soil in a dozen years. The tornado killed three people and heavily damaged a regional airport.

Today’s Birthdays:

Filmmaker Stephen Frears is 85.
Singer Anne Murray is 81.
TV personality Bob Vila is 80.
Musician Lionel Richie is 77.
Actor John Goodman is 74.
Rock bassist Michael Anthony (Van Halen) is 72.
Rock bassist John Taylor (Duran Duran) is 66.
Actor Nicole Kidman is 59.
Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez is 58.
Actor Josh Lucas is 55.
Actor Christopher Mintz-Plasse is 37.
Actor Kayla Maisonet is 27.
Actor David Iacono is 24.

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Detroit, MI

Best barbershop in Metro Detroit: Finalists for this year’s Vote 4 The Best

Published

1 day ago

June 19, 2026

Press Room

Best barbershop in Metro Detroit: Finalists for this year’s Vote 4 The Best

Voting on finalists open from June 22 through July 20

What is the barbershop in Metro Detroit? We’ve got our finalists for this year’s Vote 4 The Best category for best barbershop.

Here are this year’s finalists:

Andino’s Barbershop in St. Clair Shores
Bennies Barbershop in Trenton
Chivalry Barber Co. in Royal Oak
The Garage Cuts and Coffee in Plymouth
Walter T’s Grooming Company in Waterford Township

We received more than 16,700 nominations across our 80 Vote 4 The Best categories this year. Each category was then narrowed down to five finalists.

Click here to view the full list of finalists.

Now that nominations are over, voting on finalists can begin. Voting is open from June 22 through July 20, and you can vote for each category once per day during that time.