Carlton Davis III first caught Dan Campbell's eye when Campbell was coaching in New Orleans and Davis was a young cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers playing the Saints twice a year as NFC South foes.
"I know for myself and (defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn) AG, we kind of had a history on the other sideline watching this guy. I always thought he matched up better than anybody against Mike Thomas in Mike's heydays, and I just watched him grow that whole time I was in New Orleans," Campbell said Wednesday.
"Every year he got so much better and really became – he was the guy, you put him on an island, he was going to handle his business over there, that was pretty evident. So, knowing we were going to be able to maybe pull [the trade for Davis] off, we felt like we were going to get a guy who could handle his side of the field. Nobody's asking it to be perfect, but we don't feel like that's something we have to worry about."
The Lions played Davis and the Buccaneers twice last season and had little success throwing his way. They completed just five passes in two games in his coverage area for a total of 29 yards.
Between Campbell's early experience watching Davis in New Orleans and the lack of success Detroit had throwing at him last year, the team made the offseason trade a priority. The Lions gave up a third-round pick to acquire Davis and received a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 sixth rounder.
In Detroit, Davis has become a key player in the Lions' revamped secondary that expects to be much improved in 2024.
Campbell said he'll pick Davis' brain this week as the now sixth-year veteran gets his first opportunity to face his former team. He knows Bucs wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin pretty well, but they know him too.
"Yeah, I think that helps. I think he's very familiar, obviously, with them," Campbell said. "But that helps, and certainly, we'll pick his brain a little bit as we go here, as to just different thoughts and things."
Davis said Wednesday going against Evans sharpened his skills and made him a better cornerback.
View photos from Detroit Lions practice on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42), Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55), Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44), Detroit Lions defensive lineman Chris Smith (90), Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34), Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader (98) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Michael Niese (62) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Ben Niemann (51) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Kyle Peko (96) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Carlton Davis III (23) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
"I always loved going up against him and Chris and I'll forever respect those guys," Davis said after practice Wednesday. "Got a lot of respect for them and forever thankful."
When Sunday comes it will be all business for Davis, who admitted he was caught off guard back in March by the trade to Detroit, but has since grown to love the culture in the building and the opportunity to win with this talented roster.
"They're just the next opponent in our way, and it's a long journey," Davis said. "I do have a lot of love for those guys over there, but on Sunday, it's football, man. There are no friends on the field, and there won't be on Sunday."
