4 players the Lions could sell before the trade deadline

Jarrad Davis, Linebacker

Prior to the start of the season, the Lions declined to pick up linebacker Jarrad Davis‘ fifth year option on his contract making him a free agent at the conclusion of the season.

Due to this, the Lions may look to shop him to get something back in return instead of him walking for nothing.

Heading into the game against the Indianapolis Colts, Davis has a total of 17 tackles (nine solo) with one tackle going for loss, three quarterback hits and two forced fumbles. Of the six games he’s payed in, he’s only started two of them.

In the season opener against the Chicago Bears, he played 54% percent of defensive snaps which was increased to 63% in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers. Since then, he’s seen less time on the field with his highest being 27% of defensive snaps played in Week 4 against the New Orleans Saints and last week’s game against the Atlanta Falcons.

The coaching staff have seemed to have lost faith in Davis’ playing abilities which could be explained behind not putting him out on the field as much.

The Lions won’t get much in return for him if they were to trade him but they could potentially get a fifth or sixth round pick by shipping him out of town. The undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers and the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs could both use a linebacker on their roster and Davis, the former first round pick, could be the answer for them.

If Davis gets traded, it would open more playing time for linebacker Jahlani Tavai who has more tackles in less playing time.