The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the 2024 season riding a wave of media praise after what looked like a series of smart moves and a strong draft class.
Among their notable offseason moves was a trade sending veteran cornerback Carlton Davis and two sixth-round picks to the Detroit Lions, receiving a 2024 third-round pick in return, which they used to draft University of Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan.
Now, with 10 games of the regular season behind them, it’s clear the Buccaneers lost out on that trade. Davis has revitalized his career on a Lions team that’s among the league’s best, playing at a Pro Bowl level. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay’s defense has struggled, particularly in pass coverage, facing weekly breakdowns against opposing quarterbacks.
As for McMillan, he’s been mostly sidelined with injuries, appearing in just five games and recording only 10 catches for 109 yards and a single touchdown.
Davis’s Resurgence Sets Him Up for a Big Payday
Davis, drafted by Tampa Bay in the second round (No. 63 overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft, was an immediate starter as a rookie and helped the team win the Super Bowl in 2020, recording a career-high four interceptions. He initially signed a three-year, $44.5 million extension in 2022 with the Buccaneers, which converted into a one-year, $14.5 million contract with Detroit after the trade.
Injuries had plagued Davis throughout his career. He missed a career-high seven games in 2021, four in 2022, and five in 2023. But this season, he has remained healthy, playing in all nine games for an 8-1 Lions team eyeing its first Super Bowl appearance. Their only loss was to Tampa Bay in Week 2.
Despite the trade, Davis avoided criticizing his former team. Speaking to Sports Illustrated’s Christian Booher, he said, “It’s not personal for me, at all. I could never get personal with these type of games, because it’s all business. They’re just the next opponent in our way, and it’s a long journey,” he explained. “Like I said, it’s a business. I do have a lot of love for those guys over there, but on Sunday, it’s football, man. There’s no friends on the field, and there won’t be on Sunday.”
Buccaneers’ Defensive Struggles
Davis has posted a 74.5 overall grade according to PFF, with 47 tackles, two interceptions, and 10 pass deflections in 2024. In stark contrast, Tampa Bay’s defense ranks 31st in the NFL, with the team allowing 21 passing touchdowns through 10 games — third-worst in the league.
Heading into a Week 11 bye, the Buccaneers are on a four-game losing streak with a 4-6 record, leaving the team in one of its worst defensive seasons in recent memory.
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