The Lions held their rookie mini-camp over the weekend and while this was good chance for the rookies the Lions drafted or signed as undrafted free agents to show what they've got, it was a chance for multiple veteran free agents to get a chance to try out for the team.
On Sunday the Lions signed one of those players in wide receiver Kaden Davis. Lions fans might recognize Davis if they've followed the Michigan Panthers. He was a solid return man for them in 2023. He had 333 yards and two touchdowns in the return game.
That's likely what's driving this signing. The NFL just adopted a brand new kickoff style that was previously being used in the XFL and now the UFL. It's always made some sense that teams would begin to look at players that have already worked in that style use them right out of the gate. Perhaps the Lions look at Davis as a guy that can be their kick returner in 2024. We'll have to see how he does at camp.
Davis does have some NFL experience too. He was on the Broncos practice squad in 2022 and then the Cardinals practice squad last season. He was active for one game in 2023, but did not record any stats. He's still just 25-years-old.