Jarrad Davis may be entering his final season with the Lions.
Detroit is prepared to decline Davis' fifth-year option for the 2021 season ahead of Monday's deadline, according to Ian Rapoport. It would have cost the Lions about $10 million.
The #Lions are not expected to pick up the fifth-year option for 2017 first-round LB Jarrad Davis, source said. Davis now becomes a free agent after the 2020 season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 2, 2020The move doesn't come as a huge surprise given the price.
Davis, Detroit's first-round pick (No. 21 overall) in 2017, hasn't played up to expectations through his first three seasons at middle linebacker. He's struggled in pass coverage in a pass-first league. And while he's developed into a good pass rusher in the right situations, his lack of speed has been a steady issue.
That said, the Lions like Davis' presence in the locker room and love his work ethic. He'll have the 2020 season to convince the team to bring him back.
If they choose not to, they'll likely move forward with 2019 second-round pick Jahlani Tavai as the starter at middle linebacker. Detroit also signed two linebackers this offseason in former Pro Bowler Jamie Collins for three years and former second-round pick Reggie Ragland for one year.
Davis will make about $1.9 million -- with a cap hit of about $3.49 million -- in the final year of his deal.
The team's decision on Davis is another mark against Bob Quinn and the 2017 draft class. The Lions have already cut ties with second-round pick Teez Tabor, as well as fourth-rounder Michael Roberts, sixth-rounders Jeremiah Ledbetter and Brad Kaaya and seventh-rounder Pat O'Connor.
Third-round pick Kenny Golladay is the highlight of the class, while fourth-rounder Jalen Reeves Maybin and fifth-rounder Jamal Agnew remain on the roster as well.
