Detroit Lions reportedly signing rookie minicamp tryout WR

According to reports, a rookie minicamp tryout who played for the Arizona Cardinals and Michigan Panthers last season will be signed by the Detroit Lions.

Wide receiver Kaden Davis is being signed by the Detroit Lions to their 90-man roster, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. This past weekend, Davis was a member of the team’s rookie minicamp tryout group. Notably, Terrion Arnold, a first-round selection of the Lions, intercepted off a pass that was intended for him. Arnold is initially defeated by Davis on the crosser, but as the play unravels, Davis is unable to escape on a downfield path.

As an undrafted receiver out of Northwest Missouri State, Davis joined the league in 2022. He was on and off the Denver Broncos practice squad during his first season, but in 2023 he was much more active. He first participated in five USFL games with the Michigan Panthers squad. As the starting kickoff returner, Davis added eight catches for 83 yards and 311 yards on 12 attempts (25.9 average).

Following the USFL season, Davis signed a contract with the Arizona Cardinals. He was raised for one game in December after spending the entire season on their practice squad (though he did not see action). However, Davis caught eight catches for 73 yards and a touchdown during the preseason. He also added 27 yards on two punt returns.

Davis is a good athlete who ran a 4.44 40-yard dash and an amazing 1.52 10-yard split to get an 8.34 RAS score.

Davis, who is 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, has some inside-outside ability, but he will have a tough time breaking into the 53-man roster. Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown are certain starters. However, Antoine Green, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Kalif Raymond seem to be the main depth.

After that, there probably won’t be many spots available on the 53-man roster for veterans Maurice Alexander and Tom Kennedy to compete against Davis and youngsters Isaiah Williams and Jalon Calhoun who weren’t selected.

Still, the Lions are looking for a full-time kickoff returner, which may provide Davis an advantage over rivals.

After this deal is finalized, the Lions’ roster will consist of 89 players.