Marcus Davenport named the Lions’ top bounce-back candidate for 2024
Marcus Davenport has yet to participate in a fully padded practice with the Detroit Lions, but he’s already shouldering some intriguing expectations. The pass rusher, who joined the Lions as a free agent this offseason, was identified by Pro Football Focus analysts as the Lions player most likely to have a bounce-back season.
Davenport experienced an inconsistent five seasons with the New Orleans Saints, with his final year there being particularly disappointing. The 2018 first-round pick from UTSA managed only 0.5 sacks in 15 games in 2022, following a standout 2021 season where he recorded nine sacks and nine other tackles for loss. His 2023 season was entirely forgettable and unfortunate for the Vikings, who signed him as a free agent only to watch him struggle with a high ankle sprain, limiting him to just four games.
Detroit appears to be a promising environment for Davenport to revive his career, as noted by PFF.
If there’s any potential left in Davenport, the Lions seem well-equipped to help him rediscover it.
In New Orleans, however, Davenport consistently proved to be a disruptive force on the defensive line. He generated 30 or more pressures in each of his first five seasons and peaked toward the end of his first contract, earning an 88.8 overall grade in 2021.
This year, the Lions’ defensive line is expected to be formidable with Aidan Hutchinson, D.J. Reader, and Alim McNeill. However, Davenport shouldn’t be overlooked, as he could return to form and create significant havoc.
While PFF didn’t list other candidates for any of the teams, Detroit has a few other potential bounce-back prospects. Defensive lineman John Cominsky experienced a noticeable decline in his overall play and pass-rushing productivity in 2023, his second season with Detroit. Additionally, punter Jack Fox had his worst season in 2023, averaging almost 2.5 yards per punt less than his average over his first three years.
