The Detroit Lions were hugely hyped going into the 2023 season, and they largely met that hype, as they advanced to the NFC Championship Game, where they held a 17-point lead until succumbing to the San Francisco 49ers.
While their immediate future is bright, they do need to improve a defense that was just 23rd in points allowed and was especially porous when it came to defending the pass.
Detroit possibly took a step toward doing just that when it agreed to terms with free-agent defensive end Marcus Davenport on Monday, per Mike Garafolo.
The #Lions have agreed to terms with DE Marcus Davenport on a one-year deal, sources tell me and @RapSheet. Following a year with the #Vikings, the former first-round pick of the #Saints moves elsewhere in the NFC North. pic.twitter.com/qIDilsGzth
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 11, 2024
Davenport was the No. 14 pick in 2018 by the New Orleans Saints, and he spent each of his first five seasons with the Saints.
He has played well at times, but he has also been injury-prone over the years.
While he had 9.0 sacks in 2021, he has managed just 2.5 sacks in the last two seasons.
In Detroit, Davenport will be tasked with providing some support on their front seven alongside emerging star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.
Hutchinson continued to show improvement in his second season with 11.5 sacks, 33 quarterback hits, and 13 tackles for loss, which earned him his first selection to the Pro Bowl.
If he somehow manages to stay healthy this fall and winter, Davenport could help Detroit stymie opponents’ passing attacks and help the team become a more serious contender for the Super Bowl.
NEXT: Lions Are Re-Signing Veteran Guard