The Minnesota Vikings strengthened their linebacker room in preparation of an exodus among their edge rushers, and Marcus Davenport is the first to leave.
On March 11, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that the Detroit Lions had agreed to terms with DE Marcus Davenport on a one-year contract.
“Following a year with the #Vikings, the former first-round pick of the #Saints moves elsewhere in the NFC North,” Garafolo said in a post on X.
The Vikings have agreed to terms with three linebackers to begin free agency: outside linebackers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, as well as homegrown inside linebacker Blake Cashman.
Vikings Have Missed Marcus Davenport Since He Signed to Minnesota
The good news is the NFC North champion Lions appear to have not landed Hunter despite being in the market for a premier edge rusher.
Davenport has the potential to be that in Detroit, but his memories from Minnesota are far from pleasant.
The former Saints first-round pick signed a one-year, $13 million prove-it contract with the Vikings in March, but he only played two full games due to a pair of ankle injuries sustained in 2023.
The Vikings gambled on Davenport, which paid off handsomely. Since the 2020 season, his 81.2 pass-rushing grade has placed 22nd among the 104 edge defenders who have played at least 500 pass-rushing snaps, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). His 15.1% pressure rate ranked eleventh.
However, Davenport had never played more than 600 defensive snaps in a single season and only 118 for the Vikings.
He performed well on the field. Davenport recorded 2.0 sacks and two tackles for loss in the two games he played from beginning to end.
There was hope that the Vikings and Davenport, who agreed to postpone the expiration of his contract, could reach an agreement on an extension, but it appears Davenport will go on and pursue his career with the Lions.
