Tampa Bay Buccaneers Carlton Davis III Trade to Detroit Lions Graded

Passing judgment on a necessary move by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to trade cornerback Carlton Davis III.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a move on Monday that didn't involve signing or losing free agents when they traded cornerback Carlton Davis III to the Detroit Lions.

In a classic 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em' situation, Davis III will leave the Buccaneers to join the same team that ended his former team's season just two months ago.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Moving On From Veteran Wide Receiver

As payment for the services of Davis, who has one year left on his current deal, the Lions are sending a 2024 3rd-round pick (No. 92) to Tampa Bay.

The Bucs are also sending two sixth-round picks - one this year and one next - and will save $6.3 million against their 2024 salary cap obligations.

All of this landed the Buccaneers a 'B' letter grade for the deal, according to CBS Sports' Jeff Kerr.

Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis III (24) gestures after a play against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium

"Trading Davis was a necessary move for the Buccaneers, who needed to clear cap space after retaining Mike Evans and Baker Mayfield in free agency," Kerr said. "They also franchised tagged Antoine Winfield Jr., putting a significant dent in their cap space to retain one of the best safeties in football. 

"Someone had to be dealt, and it was better for the Buccaneers to get compensation for Davis rather than release him to save cap space."

The Lions got a 'B+'.

Davis was originally drafted by Tampa Bay in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft and spent his first six seasons with the franchise, winning one Super Bowl along the way.

His best season thus far came in that Super Bowl season in 2020 when he came away with four interceptions in the regular season. helping the Bucs rank 8th in scoring defense that year.

There's no word yet on whether or not Detroit will work an extension with Davis to bring down his $14.35 million cap hit the team will take on in this trade, but it seems likely they'll at least try to work something out with the six-year vet.

Davis turns 28 on New Year's Eve and will welcome his former team to his new home as the Lions are scheduled to host the Buccaneers in 2024.

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