The Detroit Lions are retooling in anticipation of another Super Bowl bid in 2025 and they’ve already been busy ahead of this week’s NFL Draft. By making a big splash in D.J. Reed and adding supplementary pieces during free agency, the Lions should be considered favorites to three-peat as division champions and make their first appearance in the big game next February.
But for one returnee, the grass may not be as green as he returns for another season in Detroit.
Marcus Davenport is on Thin Ice After Returning to Lions
Marcus Davenport agreed to return to the Lions earlier this spring, signing a one-year, $2.5 million contract in free agency. The deal is a significant pay cut from the one-year, $6.5 million deal he signed to initially come to Detroit in 2024, but it’s a sign of a career that has been defined by tempting highs and lows caused by injuries.
Davenport was a first-round pick by the Saints in the 2018 draft and racked up 22 total tackles along with 4.5 sacks in his rookie season. While he was able to record six sacks in 2019 and nine sacks in 2021, there were also huge gaps in his production with 1.5 sacks in 2020 and 0.5 sacks in 15 games during the 2022 campaign.
The peaks were enough to convince the Vikings to sign Davenport to a one-year, $13 million contract in free agency before the 2023 season. But an ankle injury that required surgery cut his time short before making his way to Detroit.
A torn triceps cut last September cut his 2024 season short, yet Davenport returned on a contract that could be worth up to $4.75 million and said all the right things to Rainer Sabin of the Detroit Free Press.
“I’m just trying to do everything I can right now to be ready and prepared,” Davenport said. “...The only thing that can make me feel better at this point is reps. …I don’t like to say I have unfinished business or that I have got to prove it to other people or whoever, the fans. But I wouldn’t want to leave without being the person that they can rely on.”
Even if Davenport has visions of “crushing the can” opposite Aidan Hutchinson, there’s a reason he could feel skittish. His contract is low enough where the Lions wouldn’t sweat the $1.65 million in dead money if he’s cut during training camp and he could have competition by the end of the weekend.
It could come from the 28th overall pick where several edge rushers could be on the board for the Lions to choose from. Texas A&M star Shemar Stewart and Tennesee’s James Pearce Jr. would both be steals at the end of the first round and Detroit may take a flier on Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku or Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton.
Davenport still might not be out of the woods if the Lions pass on an edge rusher. Za’Darius Smith has been hanging around Detroit in hopes of a reunion and if Davenport doesn’t look great during OTAs, general manager Brad Holmes could have him on speed dial to help him finish his own business after last season.
It creates a fluid situation for Davenport heading into his second year as he sweats out his starting job during the draft.
