The Detroit Lions are adding cornerback Carlton Davis in a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and already, praise is beginning to flow in for the move.
Davis comes to the Lions after a solid six years with the Buccaneers which has seen him produce 324 tackles, nine interceptions, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. Additionally, Davis helped Tampa Bay win Super Bowl 55 with sticky defense on the back end.
As Pro Football Focus showed, Davis was impressive down the stretch last season.
Carlton Davis III from week 12 onwards in 2023:
— PFF DET Lions (@PFF_Lions) March 11, 2024
247 coverage snaps
46 targets
26 receptions allowed, 330 yards
2 INTs, 8 forced incompletions
66.2 passer rating allowed when targeted
🦁 pic.twitter.com/pZnJ1MoB1n
While the numbers say Davis can be the No. 1 corner the Lions need badly, and the Buccaneers' trusted him to go against the opponent's top wide receiver on a regular. Guys like Ja'Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Ja'Marr Chase said Carlton Davis is the best defensive back he's faced
During last season, Chase sat down with NBC's Devin McCourty as part of the run-up to "Sunday Night Football" against the Buffalo Bills.
As a former NFL defensive back, McCourty was naturally curious who Chase would say is the best defensive back he has faced in his career so far.
"For me, I think Carlton Davis. Only reason I say Carlton Davis is he was longer than I expected. Long arms and he's just got no knee bend. He just hunched his back over and played defense. I think I played him twice too. He made some good plays on me, so I ain't never going to forget that one."
Chase has been one of the best receivers in the league since arriving in 2021, so for him to single out Davis is notable and good news for the Lions. He faced the Buccaneers and Davis once, Week 15 of the 2022 season, and as he said to McCourty he did score in that game (seven catches for 60 yards with that touchdown).
But Chase did not get much of anything done against Davis, who shadowed him most of the game.
Carlton Davis aligned across from Ja'Marr Chase on 33 of 40 routes in Week 15 (83% shadow).
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 19, 2022
Davis limited Chase to just 3 receptions on 8 targets in coverage for 32 yards with an INT, forcing 5 tight windows (T-2nd most of any WR-DB matchup this season).#CINvsTB | #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/bqxrQeccO8
The Lions certainly want Davis to lock down opposing No. 1 wide receivers like that for them on a regular basis. Chase's endorsement fosters hope he will.