Detroit Lions free agent cornerback Carlton Davis will likely leave this offseason and join a new team after missing the rest of the 2024 season. According to Spotrac, they believe Davis could earn a three-year, $41.3 million deal in free agency despite struggling to stay healthy. Some say he’ll likely join the Las Vegas Raiders, but it shouldn’t be surprising if other suitors may pursue him next month. Originally selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the defender spent the majority of his professional tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers helping them secure a Super Bowl crown under the Tom Brady era.
After a trade midseason to the Lions, the Buccaneers couldn’t find any use in Davis, but he got off to a promising 2024 campaign with them. With a brutal jaw injury suffered in week 15, the veteran didn’t reach his full potential and he missed the playoffs. It cost the Lions in the end, where the team was without their entire secondary unit when Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels took advantage in the win over them. Despite that, Davis still has the opportunity to position himself as a prime candidate for teams to pursue him in the market if they have an interest.
It’s hard to imagine he may receive anything more than a one-year deal, though. Davis will join a new team immediately, but it might take a season or two before he could land a long-term extension. Teams like the Chiefs, Chargers could revive him to his full form.
Projected $41 Million Lions Free Agent Carlton Davis May Join Chiefs, Chargers
Cap Hell Incoming
It’s Super Bowl week for the Kansas City Chiefs, but the team will embrace losing several impending free agents, including Justin Reid. There’s reason to believe the Chiefs may be without Reid after this season, which would be a huge blow to the secondary unit, considering their financial situation. The team went through this before with L’Jarius Sneed, but they got something out of the trade. However, the Chiefs will still need a viable rotational cornerback to help the opposite end of Trent McDuffie, who’s been having a phenomenal season filling in the shoes of Sneed’s absence.
The team attempted to sign Steven Nelson in hopes of getting depth help, but he didn’t get a chance to play much. While Jaylen Watson is still developing off of his injury in 2024, the Chiefs could go big on a new contract one-year deal for Carlton Davis. The team probably doesn’t need to worry about how much they can pay him since the Chiefs would probably help him earn his second bowl. Most importantly, it would grant McDuffie more relief in the secondary unit as they’re getting younger.
Cashing Out the Chargers
As much as head coach Jim Harbaugh needs to improve the trenches defense, he can not ignore the secondary unit this offseason. The Chargers have impending cornerbacks Kristian Fulton and Asante Samuel Jr. with the risk of losing both. Perhaps, they could take a shot at bringing back one and signing Davis to a worthy long-term deal since they have the money for it. The team will need to act fast to strike a deal since they share a division with Ravens, Broncos and Chiefs.
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