The Detroit Lions began their active conclusion to Day 1 of NFL free agency by signing edge rusher Marcus Davenport on a one-year contract. In addition to the news, there was a trade report.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Lions have agreed to trade for cornerback Carlton Davis from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. According to Pelissero, the Lions will transfer their third-round pick this year (No. 9 overall) to Tampa Bay, as well as sixth-round picks in 2024 and 2025.
Davis, the Buccaneers’ second-round choice in 2018, is in the final year of a three-year, $45 million contract, and he’s expected to earn $14 million in base pay with a $14.3 million cap hit this year. If the Lions sign Davis to a contract deal this offseason, they may be able to cut both of these statistics.
Davis was a standout cornerback in man coverage for Tampa Bay last season. Just the kind of player the Lions need.
The Lions also got an up-close look at Davis twice last season, in the regular season and in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
Lions acquire Carlton Davis from Buccaneers, may not be done at cornerback
Davis has missed some time in all six NFL seasons, which isn’t ideal. However, he has started 75 of 76 games and finished second in the league in pass breakups twice (19 in 2019 and 18 in 2020). During his six seasons in Tampa, he had nine interceptions, 73 pass breakups, and at least 60 total tackles three times. The Lions may not be done adding veteran cornerbacks, and taking a cornerback early in the draft will likely remain in play.
