Six-year veteran defensive lineman Marcus Davenport signed a new contract with the Detroit Lions. Davenport, a former first-round pick, spent the 2023 season with the Minnesota Vikings but has also played for the New Orleans Saints.
The #Lions have agreed to terms with DE Marcus Davenport on a one-year deal, sources tell me and @RapSheet. Following a year with the #Vikings, the former first-round pick of the #Saints moves elsewhere in the NFC North. pic.twitter.com/qIDilsGzth
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 11, 2024
Marcus Davenport, Detroit Lions, Agree to Contract
After five seasons in New Orleans, Marcus Davenport left the team in the 2022 offseason to sign a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings. Unfortunately, the former first-round pick battled through an injury-riddled campaign, as a high-ankle sprain limited him to just four games. While on the field, Davenport recorded two sacks, seven tackles, two tackles-for-loss, and four quarterback hits.
Marcus Davenport originally entered the league as a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Selected by the New Orleans Saints, the Texas-San Antonio product spent his rookie season in a situational role. Appearing in 13 games without making a start, the pass rusher finished his inaugural season with 4.5 sacks, 22 tackles, six tackles-for-loss, and 12 quarterback hits. The Saints made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game before suffering a controversial loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Davenport built upon this promising season to earn a full-time starting job in 2019. Starting and appearing in 13 games, the edge defender finished the season with six sacks, 31 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, and 16 quarterback hits.
After taking a step back in 2020, Davenport has the best season of his career in 2021. Playing in just 11 games, the former first-round pick finished the season with nine sacks, 39 tackles, nine tackles-for-loss, and 16 quarterback hits.
Once again though, Marcus Davenport struggled to build on that campaign in the final year of his contract. Appearing in 15 games while making nine starts, Davenport recorded 0.5 sacks, 29 tackles, two tackles-for-loss, and eight quarterback hits.
Since signing his rookie contract, Marcus Davenport has appeared in 67 games while making 35 starts. While on the field, the former first-round pick has recorded 23.5 sacks, 149 tackles, 27 tackles-for-loss, and 64 quarterback hits.
Main Photo: Jim Dedmon – USA Today Sports
