The Detroit Lions made significant changes in the 2024 free agency period to enhance their starting roster.
They acquired Carlton Davis through a trade and signed Amik Robertson to enhance their cornerback options.
They additionally signed D.J. Reader to a $22 million deal to strengthen the defensive line and acquired former Pro Bowl guard Kevin Zeitler to address their vacancy at right guard.
Although these actions turned out beneficial for the team, their initial signing of the offseason didn’t succeed as effectively.
In an article analyzing the best and worst signings of the 2024 offseason for each NFL team, Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus identified Marcus Davenport as the Lions’ least favorable signing of the 2024 offseason.
Davenport had limited opportunities to leave his mark with the Lions in his one season with the team. He sustained injuries twice in the initial three weeks of the season, with the latter injury concluding his season.
Nonetheless, a strong argument can be presented that the $6.5 million deal for Davenport wasn’t actually a wise signing from the start.
The Lions required an edge rusher capable of creating an impact next to Aidan Hutchinson.
Davenport has yet to truly demonstrate he can be that player in the NFL.
His top career total in sacks is nine, and he has surpassed five in only one other season throughout his injury-plagued career.
In his most recent healthy season, he recorded only half a sack across 15 games with the Saints.
The Lions ultimately managed to secure a superior choice during the 2024 regular season by trading for Za’Darius Smith.
In the 2025 offseason, the Lions will aim to acquire a long-term addition to support Hutchinson in the pass rush, wishing for a more successful outcome than this signing.