August 5, 2023

Detroit Lions sign WR Avery Davis, announce 2 additional roster moves

Lions News Reports

Inside the Article:

Prior to today’s practice, the Detroit Lions announced a trio of roster moves, including one that we reported on Friday. Just moments ago, the Lions announced they have signed CB Tae Hayes and WR Avery Davis. In a corresponding move, they have waived LB Zach Morton.

#Lions have signed CB Tae Hayes and WR Avery Davis and waived LB Zach Morton
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 5, 2023

Detroit Lions sign WR Avery Davis

Davis, who went undrafted out of Notre Dame, missed the entire 2022 season due to multiple injuries. That being said, he had been a team captain and was expected to be the team’s top slot receiver for the year. In 2021, Davis recorded 27 catches for 386 receiving yards and four touchdowns over eight games, demonstrating his potential. He will have a tough time cracking the Lions’ 53-man roster.

Scouting Report

Here is Davis’ scouting report via The Draft Network:

“I love Avery Davis as a player but he faces an uphill battle to ever be a difference-making NFL player. He lacks the athleticism to consistently win against NFL defensive backs and his age and injury history are concerning. He offers just average speed and doesn’t scare teams when pressing vertically. He has just an average catch radius and doesn’t win many 50/50 situations.”

2023 Detroit Lions Alternate Helmet 2023 Detroit Lions Training Camp Brad Holmes Justin Jackson Dan Campbell C.J. Gardner Johnson Detroit Lions 53-man roster Shane Zylstra Dylan Drummond Avery Davis — Courtesy of Detroit Lions

Highlights

Key Points

Lions sign wide receiver Avery Davis, a formerly undrafted prospect.
Davis had missed the entire 2022 season due to ACL tears but previously had been a team captain for Notre Dame.
He has experience in multiple positions which might give him an advantage in the competition for the Lions’ receiver slots.

Davis will be competing for the fifth and sixth receiver slots on the Lions’ roster.

Bottom Line: A Tough Road for Davis

Davis, a once-anticipated top slot receiver for the Notre Dame team, missed the 2022 season due to multiple injuries. Despite a challenging scouting report that highlights average speed and a concerning injury history, Davis has shown potential with 386 receiving yards and four touchdowns in the 2021 season. The signings reflect the Lions’ ongoing efforts to shape their roster, although Davis faces steep competition to make the final 53-man roster.

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W.G. Brady is a Detroit-based journalist who has been covering the Detroit sports scene for Detroit Sports Nation for several years. He is in his early 30s and has a wealth of experience in the industry. Throughout his career, W.G. has established himself as a respected and knowledgeable journalist known for his in-depth coverage of the teams and athletes in Detroit. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for sports, W.G. has become a go-to source for fans and readers looking for the latest news and analysis on the Detroit sports scene. He has a good reputation in the sports community and is respected for his unbiased coverage of sports events. W.G. is known for his ability to uncover hidden stories and provide unique perspectives on the teams and athletes he covers. He has a good understanding of the city of Detroit and its sports culture, which he uses to inform his reporting and analysis. He continues to be a respected journalist in the Detroit sports industry.