Buccaneers' Todd Bowles, Jason Licht Speak on Carlton Davis Trade
It's official — one of Tampa Bay's starters from 2019 onward is a Detroit Lion.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded cornerback Carlton Davis III and two sixth-round picks to the Detroit Lions for a third-round pick in this upcoming draft, moving on from the Super Bowl-winning corner and freeing up some cap space to boot.
Head coach Todd Bowles spoke to media after Baker Mayfield's (re)-introductory press conference on Thursday, and he spoke about the Davis trade to the Lions.
"Carlton [Davis]'s been an excellent player for us, and as an organization, you have to make these tough decisions," Bowles said of the trade. "As a coach and as an organization going forward — in order to get your team better, in order to get the cap down, in order to get extra players, in order to get an extra [third] — it was very important for us."
General manager Jason Licht, who of course is responsible for the trade given his position, released a statement in a press release once the news had officially become public at the start of free agency at 4 p.m. EST.
"It’s always difficult to part ways with a player that has meant so much to your organization,” Licht said in the press release. “Carlton was a vital member of our Super Bowl championship team and has been a tremendous teammate over the past six seasons. We are thankful for the time we spent together and wish him the best in Detroit.”
It's likely now that the Bucs will turn their sights on a cornerback in the NFL draft, likely grabbing one at some point in the first few rounds. Until then, though, the team already has another corner with "starting" experience in Zyon McCollum, who had to fill in last year quite a bit when both Davis and cornerback Jamel Dean were frequently injured in tandem.
McCollum played 69.72% of defensive snaps last year, and Bowles is fairly confident in McCollum's ability to fill in for Davis should that need arise.
"I said it all last year — Zyon [McCollum] was like a third starter for us. He played most of the year anyway, whether it was the left side or the right side," Bowles said. "He played some very good football last year and he has the opportunity now to secure himself as a starter on this team and play some good ball."
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