Needing more talent at cornerback, the Lions have swung a trade with the Buccaneers for Carlton Davis III.
Davis is coming to Detroit along with two sixth-round picks in exchange for a third-round pick in this year's draft, per ESPN. The Lions had an extra third-rounder from the Vikings from the T.J. Hockenson trade in 2022.
A six-year vet, Davis is entering the final season of a three-year, $44.5 million deal that carries a $14.3 million cap hit in 2024. He has nine picks and 69 passes defended over the last five seasons, the latter of which is second most in the NFL. Only James Bradberry of the Eagles has more.
Davis, 27, joins a secondary in Detroit that was frequently exposed by top receivers last season. The Lions allowed opposing quarterbacks to throw for the second most yards per attempt and sixth most yards per game in the NFL.
Whether Davis becomes their top matchup corner remains to be seen: he allowed five touchdowns, a completion rate of 63.3 percent and a passer rating of 102.5 in coverage last season, per Pro Football Focus.
But he excelled in man coverage, a staple of Aaron Glenn's defense, allowing a completion rate of 53.1 and a rating of 66.7. Detroit's top corner Cam Sutton, meanwhile, allowed a completion rate of 62.8 and a rating of 98.9 in man coverage, where he played the most snaps in the NFL. (Including postseason stats.)
Davis should make Sutton's job easier on the outside, and should make the Lions' defense a little harder to attack through the air.