The Detroit Lions took care of a critical business of offseason business on Monday, improving their secondary with a veteran additioron.
But it wasn’t a free agent signing that bolstered Detroit’s roster — it was a trade. The Lions agreed to acquire cornerback Carlton Davis from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers today in a move that will be made official when the 2024 NFL league year officially begins on Wednesday.
Why the Lions Traded for Bucs CB Carlton Davis
Here’s how the trade will work out, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
- Lions receive: CB Carlton Davis, 2024 sixth-round pick (No. 200 or No. 220), and a 2025 sixth-round pick
- Buccaneers receive: 2024 third-round pick (No. 92)
Tampa Bay holds two sixth-round selections, one original and one compensatory. It’s unclear which of the choices they will send to Detroit. The Lions own two third-round choices but will send the latter pick to the Buccaneers.
Finding a No. 1 cornerback was arguably the No. 1 item on Detroit general manager Brad Holmes’ to-do list. At his best, Davis is capable of offering shutdown-level play on the perimeter.
A second-round choice in the 2018 NFL Draft, Davis is still only 27 years old.
He can hold up in man coverage in Aaron Glenn’s defensive scheme, while his physicality should endear him to Glenn and Lions head coach Dan Campbell. Davis’ 60 pass breakups from 2019 to 2022 ranked second in the NFL, trailing only James Bradberry.
With Davis and Cameron Sutton on the perimeter, and 2023 rookie standout Brian Branch in the slot, Detroit has the making of a solid nickel package.
However, depth will continue to be an issue for the Lions’ secondary, which was banged up last season. Davis isn’t immune to injuries, missing five games in 2023, four in 2022, and seven in 2021.
The Lions, who also acquired oft-injured CB Emmanuel Moseley this offseason, may need to dip into its available cap space to sign more options in free agency. Detroit could also look to the 2024 NFL Draft to find more options for its defensive backfield.
Carlton Davis’ Contract Details
Davis has one year remaining on his contract. He was scheduled to earn a $14 million base salary, which the Lions will absorb in 2024.
Davis can also earn up to $500,000 in per-game roster bonuses. Because Davis only played in 12 games a year ago, his $500,000 in bonuses will prorate on the cap at $352,944.
As such, Davis’ cap charge for the Lions will be $14.353 million next season, the third-largest figure on the roster behind QB Jared Goff and OT Taylor Decker.
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Top 100 Free Agent Rankings
Detroit could hypothetically alter Davis’ contract in the coming weeks. A short-term extension that includes a proratable signing bonus would allow the Lions to decrease his 2024 cap charge even further, giving them more funds to add talent this offseason.
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