The Detroit Lions are bolstering their cornerback corps with the addition of Carlton Davis III. General Manager Brad Holmes orchestrated a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday to bring in the veteran defensive back.
In exchange for Davis, the Lions will send their second third-round pick in the upcoming April draft (No. 92 overall) to Tampa Bay. However, Detroit will also receive two sixth-round picks, one in 2024 and another in 2025, as part of the deal.
Davis, a second-round selection by the Buccaneers in the 2018 draft, spent the first six seasons of his NFL career in Tampa Bay. Across 76 games with the franchise, the 27-year-old amassed nine interceptions and defended 73 passes. His standout season arguably came in 2020, where he registered a career-high 68 total tackles, four interceptions, and 18 passes defended.
While Davis has had a solid career, he is not considered a top-tier No. 1 cornerback. He is better suited to serve as a team’s No. 2 corner but has demonstrated proficiency in that role.
In the 2023 season, according to Pro Football Focus, he excelled in man coverage, allowing no touchdowns and just a 75.1 passer rating when targeted. Additionally, he ranks second in the NFL for passes defended over the last five seasons, with 69.
However, this acquisition likely won’t be the Lions’ sole move to upgrade their cornerback unit. It’s expected that Holmes and his team will continue to pursue top-flight corners in free agency, such as Dallas’ Stephon Gilmore.
Despite not possessing No. 1 cornerback abilities, Davis is anticipated to be a valuable asset in Detroit’s secondary for the 2024 season. At present, the trade receives a “B+” grade for the Lions as they continue to fortify their roster.
