Grading the Detroit Lions most notable moves in 2024 free agency so far

Lions trade for CB Carlton Davis

Right on the heels of the news they'd agreed to a deal with Davenport, news broke the Lions had acquired Davis from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now official, they're sending a 2024 third-round pick (No. 92 overall) to Tampa Bay while also getting sixth-round picks this year (No. 201 overall) and in 2025.

Davis level of play dropped some over his last couple years in Tampa Bay. But he was rumored to be available via trade, and in search of a proverbial "lock down" corner, the Lions got a deal done.

By all accounts, the Cover 3 defensive scheme favored by Buccaneers' head coach Todd Bowles was not very well-suited to Davis. Not that he can't function in zone, but his size and length makes him good in press-man and he can erase the opponent's top wide receiver in 1-on-1s when asked to (see Ja'Marr Chase in 2022).

Giving up their own third-round pick this year to get Davis, not the one they got from the Vikings in the T.J. Hockenson trade, allows the Lions to still have three top-75 picks in next month's draft. Adding sixth-round picks in each of the next two drafts isn't very consequential, but more draft capital is always better than less. So it comes down to the 92nd overall pick for Davis, which feels like a big win.

Grade: A-

Lions sign cornerback Amik Robertson

The Lions added another cornerback on Day 2 of free agency, agreeing to a two-year deal with Robertson. He moved into a big role with the Las Vegas Raiders over the last two seasons, and he seems to be a rising player.

Last season, according to Pro Football Focus, Robertson allowed 40 catches on 64 targets for 445 yards and three touchdowns, with two interceptions and an 85.7 passer rating allowed (on 406 coverage snaps).

Robertson is a small corner (5-foot-9) which would seem to pigeon-hole him to being a slot guy and perhaps make him not an ideal fit for the Lions. But he has actually played far more snaps on the outside in his career, mostly the last two seasons of course, where his skill set and mentality fit well.

Robertson will likely slot in as the No. 3 corner for the Lions, with most of his playing time coming on the outside as the direct replacement for Jerry Jacobs. He is an upgrade over most anyone the Lions had at cornerback last season, with depth as much a concern as sheer talent level of the group, and his contract is for practical purposes a one-year deal.

Grade: B