New Lions CB Davis: 'You about to get a lockdown corner'

Allen Park — Minutes after his trade to the Detroit Lions became official Wednesday afternoon, cornerback Carlton Davis III made no reservations about declaring the type of player his new team was getting in return for the third-round draft pick it shipped to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to acquire him.

"Man, you about to get a lockdown corner," Davis said with a swagger fitting his attire, which included dark sunglasses and a massive, diamond-encrusted chain around his neck. "You're about to have one side just, like, unavailable. That's what I do. I'm here to take (away) the No. 1 receiver on these teams. I'm here to deny the ball; I'm here to take the ball away."

It's a lofty bar, to be sure, but if he can fulfill those expectations, the 6-foot-1, 205-pounder would be just what the doctor ordered for a Lions team that has sorely lacked a top option on the outside since trading Darius Slay to Philadelphia in 2020. That void was particularly noticeable down the stretch last season, when star receivers CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson, Puka Nacua and Mike Evans torched Detroit's secondary for 887 yards and five touchdowns in the last three regular-season games and the first two of the postseason.

Davis, who was born and raised in Florida, and played his entire six-year career for Tampa, called learning the news he was being traded to Detroit a shock. But after processing the news and gathering his emotions, he quickly recognized the opportunity in front of him. And if you think his individual expectations are sky-high, wait until you hear his thoughts on what the long-suffering Lions franchise is capable of accomplishing a year after advancing to the NFC Championship for the first time in more than three decades.

"This is a great organization that’s trending upward," Davis said. "I would love to be a part of a dynasty where we can go and win multiple championships over the next couple years, man. That’s one of my goals, is to create something that is kinda like the Lakers, kinda like what all the dynasties did back in the day, Chicago Bulls. I think they have a nice young roster, great coaching staff, great culture here to do it, honestly."

It's not as if Davis doesn't know what it takes. He won a Super Bowl in Tampa Bay three years ago and understands the sacrifices and steady execution required to reach the top of the NFL's mountain. And after playing the Lions twice last season, he sees a team exhibiting many of those characteristics.

"I was talking to someone earlier about that, how resilient that group was, and just the fight and the dawg they had," he said. "You can tell the culture here is good, because usually when you're in a tough battle, a team at some point budges, and they never budged. They kept the same energy and physicality, and just was bringing it with their play. Being an opponent, you respect those qualities for sure."

What, or more appropriately who Davis doesn't know is anyone with the Lions. He has no pre-existing relationships with the players on the roster or members of the coaching staff. The closest connection he has to Detroit is former running back Kerryon Johnson, a good friend dating back to their time together at Auburn.

Familiarizing himself will be priority one. The rest of the stuff, including a potential contract extension — given he's in the final year of his current deal — can be sorted out later. At the very least, he acknowledged he's had cursory conversations with his agent and the Lions about that possibility.

In the meantime, he welcomes people in Detroit to get to know him through his previous play.

"Check the film," Davis said. "Turn on the Tampa Bay film. Turn on me against top receivers and see their stats when I’m on them. ...Not when they’re in the slot running away from me. Not when I'm in zone. When I’m man-on-man, press. Turn on that film, and then let me know what you think."

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

@Justin_Rogers