Corey Davis lingers theoretically available, and he's not going away as an easy trade target for the Detroit Lions.
Some, even those who cover the team as a beat writer, think DeAndre Hopkins would be an ideal addition to the Detroit Lions wide receiver room. Others may think the newly potentially available and possibly disgruntled Stefon Diggs is a fit or the Lions.
Broadly, the Lions could be looking to add a wide receiver before training camp. The available options aren't exactly robust, obviously, but there's one that lingers as an ideal-looking fit.
A month ago, we made the case for the Lions to have New York Jets wide receiver Corey Davis on their radar to trade for.
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The Lions can easily take on Davis’ money for this year, and cross the bridge of a possible new contract if or when it comes. The Jets can say all they want, but his place in their target pecking order is tenuous and paying him what they would to be the No. 3 or No. 4 wide receiver (if everyone’s healthy) doesn’t seem ideal."
Around that time, Jets head coach Robert Saleh dismissed the idea of trading Davis. As all-in as they are with Aaron Rodgers now, trading any piece of the offense doesn't seem ideal. But they can clear $10.5 million of his $11.166 million cap hit for this year by trading him, and there's a legit question of if they will keep him when it comes time to determine their 53-man roster heading into the season.
Corey Davis not going away as an ideal trade target for the Detroit Lions
On his recent list of three summer trades the Lions should consider, Dallas Robinson of Pro Football Network had a deal for Davis on the docket.
"Corey Davis is entering the final season of his contract with the Jets, and after missing 12 games over the past two seasons, he’s far from assured of remaining on New York’s roster. Head coach Robert Saleh said otherwise in May, but Davis’ roster spot is tenuous after the Jets added Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, and Randall Cobb to their depth chart earlier this offseason.
Davis is set to earn $10.5 million in 2023, but none of his salary is guaranteed. ESPN’s Rich Cimini said earlier this week that a pay cut is “coming for sure” for Davis, who could be required to accept a lower salary or be released."
In lieu of his possibly being cut, Robinson proposes the Lions sending a 2024 sixth-round to the Jets for Davis and a 2024 seventh-rounder. Davis may, as Robinson suggests, have to agree to a reduced salary to facilitate a trade.
Davis has never lived up to his status as the No. 5 overall pick in the 2017 draft by the Tennessee Titans, out of Western Michigan. It’s also fair to say he has had some bad quarterbacks, from Marcus Mariota to Zach Wilson. Yet, with injuries costing him time at times, he has averaged at least 14 yards per catch in four straight seasons (a career-best 16.8 YPC last year).
Davis also fits the template of a big “X” receiver the Lions could use, while Jameson Williams is suspended if not after, at 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds. He’s a legit chain mover, with 197 of his 273 career catches (72.2 percent) going for first downs, and a good run blocker.
It's easy to be enamored by names likes Hopkins and Diggs. But Davis looks like a nice fit, and insofar as he's available he's the wide receiver the Lions should be honing in on most if they want to add someone.