The Detroit Lions may not be willing to meet Carlton Davis’ market value despite his status as one of the top free-agent cornerbacks.
The Lions made their first significant move last offseason by trading for Davis from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He proved to be the perfect fit for Aaron Glenn’s man-heavy coverage schemes and blended well into the team off the field as well.
Earlier this offseason, Davis expressed his enjoyment of playing for Dan Campbell, which seemed to indicate a possible return as he entered free agency. However, as with any free agent, it is in his best interest to explore what offers are available on the market.
J ust days before free agency opened, Davis posted a message to his potential suitors on Twitter.
Spotrac has Davis’ market value at $13.8 million annually, with a projected three-year, $41.3 million deal. Pro Football Focus has a nearly identical projection of three years, $42 million, with $25 million guaranteed.
Davis is expected to attract multiple suitors, which could drive his asking price higher. Having missed the end of last season due to a broken jaw, along with missing another game, he continued his trend of missing significant time (at least four games in each of the past four seasons). At 29 years old next season, his durability concerns are likely to remain a factor.
In his preview of defensive back free agents, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press pointed out that the Lions may not be willing to spend heavily on a veteran cornerback.
To be clear, Davis’ market value is seen at $12 million a year, a figure well below the projections of two major sources. It’s possible his deal could even climb to $15 million annually.
Beyond that, general manager Brad Holmes may be comfortable with Terrion Arnold and Amik Robertson as his top cornerbacks for next season. A healthier Ennis Rakestraw and possibly a lower-tier veteran addition would round out the top four.
While it’s somewhat unusual for players to be so public on social media, Davis should not be criticized for prioritizing securing the best financial deal he can. It was always possible that the Lions wouldn’t meet his asking price, and Birkett’s report further suggests Davis will likely find a more favorable deal elsewhere.
