Detroit Lions linebacker Jarrad Davis is just a few days away from hitting free agency for the first time in his NFL career. The former first-round pick has struggled in his four seasons in Detroit, resulting in the team turning down his fifth-year option last year. However, Davis has a tempting set of physical skills that could earn him a second chance elsewhere.
In fact, according to NFL Network’s Peter Schrager, Davis may have a lot of suitors when the legal tampering period opens up on Monday.
“Speaking to GM’s and coaches over last 24 hours, a name that continues to come up and is a guy who might have a fairly competitive market is UFA and former Lions first round pick LB Jarrad Davis,” Schrager tweeted on Saturday. “Matt Milano and Lavonte David are off the board. Davis viewed as a viable LB.”
The Lions, under a new coaching staff, have shown some interest in bringing Davis back. While they haven’t outright said they would like to re-sign him, on two separate occasions head coach Dan Campbell has unpromptedly brought up his affinity for Davis.
“Davis, man. One of the first things I circled was if we’re running inside zone or we’re running our 42 ace, our lead draw, and you’re leading on number 40, man you better freakin’ be ready for him to drop his hat, and hit you right under the chin,” Campbell told 97.1 back in January. “He will literally split your chin open and knock your hat off.”
He continued his praise a few weeks later when talking with The Detroit News.
“Look, I can’t tell you what we’re going to do in free agency, but when you state it like that, Jarrad Davis, there’s something about that guy, man,” Campbell said. “Things I hear about the way he was coached, and just knowing the ability and aggressiveness, he intrigues me. He pops off the tape and you feel like, man, can we help this guy? Can we make this guy a better player?”
The Lions’ linebacking corps is looking pretty thin as the team heads towards free agency. Davis, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, and Reggie Ragland are facing free agency, while the team released Christian Jones earlier this week. There is also reported interest in bringing Reeves-Maybin back in 2021, but it looks like the Lions will have competition if they’re seriously thinking about bringing Davis back, too.