- The Detroit Lions traded for Carlton Davis III to bolster the secondary before the 2024 season.
- Davis is expected to be a top cornerback for the Lions, along with other offseason defensive acquisitions.
- The Lions are focused on improving their defense to compete after falling short last season.
The Detroit Lions began the offseason by sending Carlton Davis III to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in return for the 92nd overall pick. The team’s goal is to revamp its secondary in time for the 2024 campaign.
Now that he’s joined the squad, the 27-year-old has six years of starting experience, having been a major contributor to the 2020 Super Bowl victory. Speaking with AL.com, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn discussed Davis’s character and the potential impact the veteran could have on the Lions’ secondary in the future:
I’ve known this kid since he left Auburn, and he’s always been a player who likes to challenge people and get in their face. That hasn’t changed at all. When he was in Tampa, he did it. He fits in well with what we’re trying to accomplish because I know he expects to do the same things here.
After a reported domestic violence incident in early March, Detroit’s secondary allowed the sixth-highest passing yards per game in 2023. In addition, the team opted to remove Cameron Sutton, who performed terribly despite the situation. Although Davis is only one component of the puzzle, his addition should aid in the mission’s improvement of the defense’s back end.
The Lions Went All-In on Defense
Davis was one of many acquisitions to the unit this offseason
The team’s starting cornerback will likely be Carlton Davis, but the Lions were aggressive in adding other players to the roster this offseason.
During the draft, the team selected cornerbacks Terrion Arnold of Alabama and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. of Missouri with their first two selections. Additionally, they signed Amik Robertson, a sneaky-good slot cornerback, to a two-year, $9.5 million contract.
In order to help the squad seize control in the trenches, the front office kept up its aggressive strategy in the front seven, adding big names like Marcus Davenport and D.J. Reader to the defensive line. Your defensive backs’ workload might be greatly reduced by having a strong defensive line.
GIVEMESPORT Key Stat: The Lions finished 2023 with the 10th fewest sacks (41) despite having a league-high 28.2% pressure rate.
Without a question, Detroit is playing with the goal of winning a championship. The club lost the NFC Championship to the San Francisco 49ers by 17 points at halftime, thus missing out on Super Bowl 58.
They intend to learn from their mistakes and win the competition this time around to advance to the major game. Davis will be a major contributor to their success in doing so.
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