On March 11, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero revealed that cornerback Carlton Davis was traded from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Detroit Lions.
It’s possible that negotiations with unrestricted free agents began on March 11. However, the Detroit Lions acquired veteran cornerback Carlton Davis through a trade, which strengthened their roster.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Davis was acquired by the Lions from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.In addition, the Lions will get a 2024 third-round selection in return for a 2025 sixth-round selection, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Davis, a former second-round selection, spent six seasons with the Buccaneers. In 12 games in 2023, he totaled 52 tackles with 9 pass defenses, 2 interceptions, and a touchdown.
The Bucs won the Super Bowl in 2020, which was Davis’ highest statistical season. During that season, Davis recorded 18 pass defenses in 14 starts, a career-high 68 total tackles, and 4 interceptions.
Social media users’ responses to the Lions’ March 11 trade for Davis were largely favorable.
Pundits for the NFL concurred that Davis is a good addition to the Lions’ squad.Colton Pouncy of The Athletic gushed about Davis’ man-to-man covering skills.
“No TDs allowed in man,” wrote Pouncy.
Lions Trade Third-Round Pick for CB Carlton Davis
In 2023, the Lions ranked 29th in net yards allowed per pass attempt and 27th in passing yards allowed per game. In addition, it was anticipated that three seasoned cornerbacks—Kindle Vildor, Khalil Dorsey, and Jerry Jacobs—would enter NFL free agency.
Detroit did sign Emmanuel Moseley to a one-year contract extension, but the Lions required more depth and a different cornerback prospect to start.
They landed that with Davis.
He will join Detroit with seventy-five games of NFL starting experience.Davis has started every season since the Buccaneers selected him in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft. In his whole career, Davis has only dressed for one game without making a start, and that was in his rookie year.
Pelissero stated that the Lions selected player No. 92 overall to be sent to the Buccaneers.The Minnesota Vikings have the No. 73 overall pick in the third round, which is also owned by the Lions.
Thus, the Lions will still have three picks in the top 73 this year despite the trade.
Davis’s contract has one year left on it when he arrives in Detroit.According to Spotrac, his 2024 salary cap hit will be $14.35 million.
Davis has recorded 324 total tackles in 76 career games, with 12 tackles for loss. Together with that, he has nine interceptions and 73 pass defenses.
Social Media Reacts to Lions Acquiring Davis
Many NFL fans initially thought that Davis was a big addition to the squad.
Max Loeb said, “WOAHHHH much needed CB help for Detroit,” along with several emojis of eyes.
“Lions in motion,” Richard Vagner wrote.
Even though Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated wasn’t as thrilled, he thought the Lions made a good decision by acquiring Davis.
Breer noted, “Davis still flashes top-end ability, but has been inconsistent of late.”
Others expressed disappointment that the Lions had not made a trade for L’Jarius Sneed, the cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs.
“Not Sneed,” wrote Gianni.
“He’s not Sneed,” Ben Raven of MLive.com stated. However, this is a good addition for the Lions, who are in need of a CB.
Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic was pleased with the trade because it strengthened Detroit’s secondary and did not interfere with the team’s April draft intentions.
“Lions need a lot of help at CB, so trading for Carlton Davis shouldn’t keep Detroit out of the CB draft market—but it does give them even more flexibility at the top,” Baumgardner wrote.
