The Detroit Lions traded a third-round pick to bring Super Bowl winning cornerback Carlton Davis III to Michigan this week. The move is a big step for a Lions team that is desperate to to solidify a defense that leaked yards last season, and for Davis who is entering a contract year.
The Lions had their best season in decades last year finishing with a 12-5 record to win their division for the first time since 1993. A talented offensive group carried Dan Campbell’s team through most of the year. On the defensive front, Detroit ranked 23rd in points allowed per game (23.2) and 27th in passing yards allowed per game (247.4). With the addition of Carlton Davis, the team will be hoping to lower this numbers in 2024.
“You about to get a lockdown corner,” said Davis to the Detroit Free Press. “You about to be able to have one side just like unavailable. That’s what I do. I’m here to take your No. 1 receiver on any team, I’m here to deny the ball, I’m here to take the ball away.”
Carlton Davis was entering the last year of this contract with Tampa Bay and due $14.5 million. Now, he fills a need in Detroit. https://t.co/J2WRYI3Syj pic.twitter.com/QQxwqRWb21
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 11, 2024
Davis’ confidence will be music to the ears of Detroit fans that know their team is only a few pieces away from a possible Super Bowl run.
Davis has developed into of one of the league’s top corner backs since being draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft. The 27-year-old has spent his entire six-year NFL career with the Bucs and was a member of the Super Bowl winning side in 2021. He has recorded nine interceptions, four fumble recoveries and 324 total tackles over 76 games.
The corner back also spoke about how impressed he was with the culture in Detroit and how he hopes to be a part of the Lions success in the coming seasons.
