In hopes of repeating their success from 2023, the Detroit Lions made a splash last offseason, shoring up their secondary by trading for Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis.
A six-year starter in Tampa Bay, Davis was entering the final year of his deal, and had missed 16 games over the past three years, adding some risk for Detroit. Nonetheless, it was an opportunity for the Lions to add a No. 1 cornerback at a position where they desperately needed help.
There were a number of draft picks involved in the deal, with the final selection coming this week in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Let’s revisit Detroit’s trade for Davis and see the return for both sides.
Original Carlton Davis trade terms
Detroit receives: CB Carlton Davis, 2024 sixth-round pick, 2025 sixth-round pick
Tampa Bay receives: 2024 third-round pick
How did Carlton Davis perform for the Lions in 2024?
The Lions looked to get a CB1 with the trade for Davis, and they got one… for 13 games. Davis recorded two interceptions, a forced fumble, and 11 pass breakups, while allowing a completion rate of 55.3 percent, according to Pro Football Reference.
However, Davis broke his jaw and was not available for the end of the season.
He then signed with the New England Patriots on a three-year, $54 million deal this offseason, while the Lions pivoted to cornerback D.J. Reed in free agency.
What did the Lions do with the picks from the Carlton Davis trade?
Detroit received a pair of sixth-round selections along with Davis in the deal. They moved the 2024 sixth-round (No. 201 overall) in a draft-day trade last year with the Philadelphia Eagles, getting Nos. 132 (RB Sione Vaki) and No. 210 (OG Christian Mahogany) for Nos. 164, 201, and a 2025 fourth-round pick.
That pick at 201 was later traded by Philly to the Indianapolis Colts to select Marshall cornerback Micah Abraham. Abraham was waived by the Colts ahead of the 2024 season and joined the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad.
Detroit still had one more pick involved in the trade: a 2025 sixth-round selection (No. 196 overall). The Lions picked Boise State EDGE Ahmed Hassanein to close out the trade.
What did the Buccaneers do with the pick for Carlton Davis?
The Buccaneers parlayed that pick into wide receiver Jalen McMillan with the No. 92 overall pick, bolstering their receiving corps.
How did Jalen McMillan perform for the Bucs in 2024?
McMillan had a strong rookie season, catching 37 passes for 461 yards and eight touchdowns. He formed a strong trio with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, stepping up when the latter suffered a season-ending injury last year.