Shortly after Carlton Davis III arrived in Detroit, he quickly encountered a challenging situation.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t make many significant moves during the offseason, but the front office still managed to create some buzz. While their primary focus was on re-signing key players, they also traded away a starter to clear salary cap space and start fresh.
In March, Carlton Davis III was traded to the Detroit Lions, a move that seemed inevitable despite being disappointing. Davis, a key player during the Buccaneers’ recent Super Bowl victory, had faced challenges in recent seasons.
Over the past three years, Davis has missed 16 games due to various injuries, and his performance last season fell short of expectations, with opposing offenses frequently exploiting his coverage. His struggles, combined with the Buccaneers’ need to manage their cap space and inject younger talent, led to the trade.
However, the trade hasn’t aged well for the Lions, as Davis is already being labeled as their most overpriced player. Bleacher Report highlighted this, though it’s worth noting that the Buccaneers still bear a significant dead-cap charge of $14.1 million following the trade.
Davis was playing out the final year of a $44 million contract, which the Lions quickly restructured to ease the financial burden. They converted a portion of his 2024 base salary into a signing bonus and extended his contract with three void years, significantly reducing his cap hit.
While Davis’ departure from the Buccaneers indicates a fall from grace, it’s hoped that he can rediscover his best form in Detroit. Nonetheless, his struggles in recent seasons are evident, and his designation as the Lions’ most overpriced player underscores the challenges he faces in his new team.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t have a bustling offseason, but their front office still managed to shake things up. While their main focus was on retaining key players, they also traded away a starter to create cap space and foster a fresh start.
In March, Carlton Davis III was traded to the Detroit Lions, a move that felt somewhat inevitable despite its disappointing nature. Davis, who played a significant role in the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl victory a few years ago, has faced challenges since then.
Over the past three seasons, Davis has missed 16 games due to various injuries, and last year, he struggled against opposing offenses more frequently than desired. It seemed that whenever a significant play occurred, Davis found himself on the wrong side of it, which is not characteristic of a top cornerback.
A combination of these factors, along with the Buccaneers’ need to manage cap space and infuse the roster with younger talent, prompted the trade. It remains to be seen how things will unfold, but it’s already showing signs of being a less-than-ideal move for the Lions.
Carlton Davis III already listed as Lions’ most overpriced player
Bleacher Report recently highlighted each NFL team’s most overpriced player, and Carlton Davis III was singled out for the Detroit Lions. However, there’s a caveat to consider: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still burdened with a $14.1 million dead-cap charge following Davis’s trade, meaning they share some responsibility in this regard.
Despite this, Davis’s early inclusion on the list for the Lions, barely after settling in, might offer some relief to Buccaneers fans regarding the trade.
Davis was entering the final year of a $44 million contract that he hadn’t fully justified, prompting the Lions to swiftly restructure his deal for better financial management. They converted $6 million of his $14 million 2024 base salary into a signing bonus and extended his contract with three void years, significantly reducing his cap hit.
While Davis is now completely off the Buccaneers’ books, except for the dead-cap charge, this move underscores how much his stock had declined. It’s regrettable, given that we’ve seen Davis perform at his best, and it’s hoped he can return to form in Detroit.
However, it’s evident that Davis’s struggles are apparent. Despite Detroit’s well-constructed roster, his designation as the team’s most overpriced player speaks volumes about his current situation.