Wide receiver Kaden Davis, who spent this weekend with the team as part of their rookie minicamp tryout squad, is reportedly being signed by the Detroit Lions to a 90-man roster. Of note, Davis was the intended recipient of a pass that was intercepted by Lions first-round pick Terrion Arnold. Davis initially outmuscles Arnold on the crosser, but as the play progresses, he is unable to break free on a downfield route.
As an undrafted receiver out of Northwest Missouri State, Davis joined the league in 2022. He was on and off the Denver Broncos practice squad during his first season, but in 2023 he was much more active. He first participated in five USFL games with the Michigan Panthers squad. As the starting kickoff returner, Davis added eight catches for 83 yards and 311 yards on 12 attempts (25.9 average).
Following the USFL season, Davis signed a contract with the Arizona Cardinals. He was raised for one game in December after spending the entire season on their practice squad (though he did not see action).
However, Davis caught eight catches for 73 yards and a touchdown during the preseason. He also added 27 yards on two punt returns.
Davis is a good athlete who ran a 4.44 40-yard dash and an amazing 1.52 10-yard split to get an 8.34 RAS score.
Davis, who is 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, has some inside-outside ability, but he will have a tough time breaking into the 53-man roster. Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown are certain starters. However, Antoine Green, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Kalif Raymond seem to be the main depth.
After that, there probably won’t be many spots available on the 53-man roster for veterans Maurice Alexander and Tom Kennedy to compete against Davis and youngsters Isaiah Williams and Jalon Calhoun who weren’t selected.
Still, the Lions are looking for a full-time kickoff returner, which may provide Davis an advantage over rivals.
After this deal is finalized, the Lions’ roster will consist of 89 players.