The trade deadline is officially over, which means a big-name free agent like Corey Davis could find a new home in the coming days. A first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Davis never lived up to his top-five draft selection but proved a reliable threat during his first four years in Tennessee. He parlayed that success into a three-year deal with the New York Jets but only played with the team for two years before announcing his retirement. The Western Michigan product had a change of heart during the 2024 offseason, announcing his intention to play another year of football.
Up until this point, Corey Davis has not received much free agent interest. This is likely because teams hoped they could land someone better than him via trade. However, with that door officially closed, a desperate team like the Los Angeles Chargers or Washington Commanders could kick the tires on the 29-year-old and see if he has anything left in his tank.
Chargers, Commanders Could Pursue Free Agent Corey Davis
After a slow start to the season, the Los Angeles Chargers offense is firing on all cylinders. Justin Herbert has been arguably the NFL’s best quarterback for the past month, making throw after throw to a largely underwhelming group of wide receivers. Second-round pick Ladd McConkey looks like the real deal while 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston is showing signs of life, although the jury is still out on his long-term future. However, even if both players pan out, the Chargers could use another reliable weapon in this passing attack.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh comes from an old-school mindset and believes in winning football games with strong defense and a run-first offense. With this in mind, it’s easy to see why the reigning Michigan champion didn’t target someone like Amari Cooper or Diontae Johnson on the trade market. However, even a conservative coach like Harbaugh must know that adding another weapon can’t hurt, especially since Los Angeles shares a division with the Kansas City Chiefs. Corey Davis might not be a superstar, but it’s hard to envision him being any worse than Jalen Reagor.
More Help For Jayden Daniels
Second-overall pick Jayden Daniels is cruising to Rookie of the Year honors, as the LSU product is already playing like one of the best quarterbacks in the game. Through nine starts, the rookie has completed 71.5% of his passes for 1,945 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions while adding 459 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. His 76.1 QBR ranks third in the NFL, as does his 88.6 PFF grade. He’s truly done it all for the 7-2 Commanders, and he’s done it without much help at wide receiver.
Terry McLaurin remains a fantastic playmaker, and guys like Zach Ertz and Noah Brown have been decent enough secondary options. Instead of adding a star receiver to an already successful passing attack, they addressed the defense with the Marshon Lattimore trade. It’s hard to argue against that logic, but it leaves free agent Corey Davis as the best option to improve the passing attack. Even if it’s just a spot on the practice squad, Washington should consider signing the veteran and seeing if he can be the missing piece for this surprise playoff charge.
Main Photo: Rich Story – USA Today Sports
