LIONS KEEP GLASGOW, ADD MORE EXPERIENCE
Detroit set to announce signing of veteran cornerback Davis, edge rusher Davenport
The Detroit Lions retained a key veteran while reportedly adding some veteran help.
Veteran lineman Graham Glasgow reportedly agreed to a new three-year deal for
US$20 million to remain with the Lions.
Meanwhile, the club appears poised to add cornerback Carlton Davis in a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and add free agent edge rusher Marcus Davenport, who spent last season with the Minnesota Vikings.
Teams could begin negotiating with free agents on Monday, but a deal cannot be announced until Wednesday when the new NFL season begins.
A third-round pick by Detroit in 2016 out of the University of Michigan, the six-foot-six, 315-pound Glasgow spent four seasons with the Lions before signing as a free agent with the Denver Broncos in 2020. However, he returned after three seasons with the Broncos to join the Lions on a one-year deal last season to add depth.
However, injuries quickly pushed the 31-year-old Glasgow into a starting role in 15 games at three different positions with the majority of his time at right guard for Halapoulivaati Vaitai. Glasgow graded at 74.9, which was eighth among NFL guards.
Glasgow's deal could prove to be even more important to the Lions with left guard Jonah Jackson, who was a Pro Bowl player in 2021, reportedly agreeing to a three-year deal for $51 million with the Los Angeles Rams.
Looking for more help at cornerback, the Lions will send the club's second pick in the third round of this year's NFL Draft, which is the 92nd pick overall, to Tampa Bay for 27-year-old Davis along with sixth-round draft picks in 2024 and 2025.
The six-foot-one, 206-pound Davis is headed into the final year of three-year deal for
$45 million, but none of the money is guaranteed. He could be a candidate for a renegotiated extension.
A former second-round pick by Tampa Bay, Davis appeared in 12 games last season and has started 75 of 76 games in six seasons with the Buccaneers.
Last season, Davis broke up nine passes and picked off two. According to Pro Football Focus, he didn't allow a touchdown and had a 75.1 passer rating when targeted in man coverage last season.
His 69 passes defended over the last fives seasons are the second most in the NFL.
The 28-year-old Davenport was a first-round pick by New Orleans in 2018.
He is reunited with Lions head coach Dan Campbell and defensive co-ordinator Aaron Glenn, who both coached with the
Saints for the first three seasons of Davenport's career.
The six-foot-six, 265-pound Davenport has also been limited by injuries to his shoulder and hand throughout his career.
He has never played more than 14 games in six NFL seasons and was limited to four games in Minnesota last season due to an high-ankle sprain after signing a one-year deal for $13 million.
However, he had nine sacks in 11 games with New Orleans in 2021 and two in just four games with Minnesota last season.
The Lions will reportedly give him a maximum of $10.5 million with $6.5 million in base salary on a one-year deal in hopes he can regain his form and provide a threat opposite Aidan Hutchinson.