Cost-Friendly Carlton Davis Re-Signing
March 24th, 2022
Bucs CB Carlton Davis
Just before free agency began, Joe was in Las Vegas getting much-needed R&R when Tom Brady announced his unretirement.
Hey, Las Vegas will always be there but the greatest quarterback won’t return every day. So bang on the keyboard Joe did.
Before Brady’s announcement, Joe steadily became convinced the Bucs could not let cornerback Carlton Davis walk. Not if they wanted to compete for the playoffs.
Davis, 25, may not have been a top-five corner but he is close. No team, unless a player was asking for asinine money, would let, say, a top-seven player at his position walk away. So why should the Bucs let Davis be that guy?
As it turned out, types Dalton Miller of Pro Football Network, the cornerbacks market turned out to be rather weak, which helped the Bucs.
CB Carlton Davis, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Contract: Three years, $44.5 millionSimilarly, Carlton Davis was undoubtedly affected by J.C. Jackson’s low-cost signing. Davis is one of the most underrated defenders in the NFL. His route recognition is top-notch, and he possesses the size and athleticism to carry receivers vertically.
In the final year of his three-year deal, the Buccaneers could cut him and save $14 million against the salary cap. He will hit the NFL’s free agency again at 28 years old.
Running backs, yeah. you can find another. Same for receivers to a degree. But not corners, especially one that is just 25.
Good thing the market for free agent corners this spring wasn’t crazy.
March 24th, 2022 at 9:22 am
I’m only moderately surprised that JC Jackson didn’t sign for bigger bucks. Once again, Jackson is excellent at INTs, but he’s really a CB2 in terms of his ability to cover. Carlton Davis is better in coverage, though he doesn’t have Jackson’s hands or Jackson’s health. Still, Davis’ contract is team friendly, and when you consider that he was the only quality CB on the Bucs, signing him was a priority.
March 24th, 2022 at 9:32 am
The NFL used to be about having 1 star receiver and a running game, thus really only needing 1 shutdown corner, and gamble with the matchups on other WRs. Now there are 3WR sets with teams (like the Bucs) trotting out 3 very talented pass catchers. So, everyone needs at least 2 if not 3 talented CB’s to matchup.
Gone are the days that teams can afford to pay massive dollars to 1 shutdown corner and lineup replacement level 2nd and 3rd string corners. I think the market is starting to reflect that reality. Only exception would be if you still have depth on their rookie contracts.
March 24th, 2022 at 9:43 am
@PassingThru
Pretty much agree with your view on CDIII, but be carefull, Joe will label you as a hater……
March 24th, 2022 at 9:56 am
Joe, you don’t go to Vegas for R&R. After you’ve been to Vegas, you come back home for R&R.
March 24th, 2022 at 10:13 am
Exactly, Sparky.
March 24th, 2022 at 10:26 am
You are not wrong!
Joe never has a problem sleeping on the flight from Vegas. Because Joe (and most people are) exhausted!
March 24th, 2022 at 12:20 pm
He is a pretty CB I believe that could get better with time. Our secondary would get torched alot though and it concerns me. Those issues would definitely need to be addressed. We had LA beat with that incredible comeback!! The last 42 seconds never should of happend
March 24th, 2022 at 12:57 pm
War Eagle!!
This guy gives his heart every snap!!
Go Bucs!!!
March 24th, 2022 at 3:41 pm
Ehh.
March 25th, 2022 at 8:20 am
Is it possible that the Bucs office were placing blame on Whitehead for having a porous secondary, thus letting him go? I’ve always been frustrated with CD III and our other corners over the last several years. The Bucs pass defense has been an abysmal liability. In fact, it’s probably the reason the Bucs didn’t repeat as Superbowl champions.