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Detroit Lions add edge rusher Marcus Davenport to help boost defense

He knew Dan Campbell while with the Saints

ALLEN PARK — Edge rusher Marcus Davenport knows Lions coach Dan Campbell from their days with the New Orleans Saints. It may be what helped to steer him in the direction of Detroit.

Davenport signed a one-year deal with the Lions this week that has a maximum value of $10.5 million with a base of $6.5 million.

He described his game as violent and physical.

“But that’s even something I want to change. I want to adapt, I want to learn. I was told recently that there’s a lot of young guys that can learn from me and my first thought was we’ve got a lot of guys I can learn from,’’ said Davenport who was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round in 2018 and played there for the last five seasons. Last year he signed a one-year deal with the Vikings, but his season ended when he suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 6.

Davenport recalled a story about Campbell from the Covid era when he was elevated to interim coach while coach Sean Payton was ill.

“He gave a speech. I remember it was the first time in a long time somebody gave a speech and my heart was ‘Yeah! That’s what we’re doing!’ I just remember his energy. I don’t want to say not many people have the same kind of passion, but it takes someone that was there to actually understand,’’ Davenport said at a Thursday press conference. “To be able to see him in this position I’d like to be able to help with that.”

The speech?

“It wasn’t like biting knee caps, it was something along the lines that we have grit, that’s the message I took away. Grit, he was being serious,’’ said Davenport who is 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds.

While he knew Campbell, he did his due diligence to learn about Lions GM Brad Holmes.

“He told me something nice, it made me smile,’’ Davenport said. “He said, ‘I watched your games and we can tell you’re one of those guys that really appreciates the game and puts it out there. You’re a physical player.’ He even said in the limited games you played,’’ Davenport said. “After hearing that it helped me feel like I made the right decision. It’s always nice to have some belief especially when I haven’t been able to prove everybody right.’’

Davenport, 27, also knows linebacker Alex Anzalone, a leader on the Lions defense, from their days with the Saints.

“Yeah you know he’s an alpha now. He’s always been a good dude, I didn’t expect nothing less,’’ Davenport said. I’m just happy to see him running around making plays and getting excited.’’

Detroit starting to feel like home for Lions LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin

ALLEN PARK — Jalen Reeves-Maybin is happy to stay in Detroit with his Detroit Lions contract extended through the 2025 season.

The linebacker/special teamer signed a two–year, $7.5 million contract extension with the Lions on Feb. 26. The deal made Reeves-Maybin the highest paid core special teamer in the NFL.

“It definitely means a lot, I’ve spent so many years of my life here now, it’s starting to feel like home, raising my family here, it is definitely great not to have to move,’’ Reeves-Maybin said at a Thursday press conference.

Last season Reeves-Maybin played in all 17 games. A special teams standout, he also got key reps at linebacker. He helped get the 2023 season off to a great start by converting a first down on a fake punt in the first quarter of the 2023 regular season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs in which the Lions pulled off the upset.

It’s different for Reeves-Maybin — and all the Lions — with expectations so high for the 2024 season.

“I think it’s definitely a different vibe. You can feel it walking around the city,’’ Reeves-Maybin said. “I think it’ll be fun once everybody gets back to see our approach to every day, kind of keeping the standard high. I feel like we’ve always had a high standard but feel it’s going to be more this year. I’m definitely excited for it.’’

Reeves-Maybin, 29, was recently elected as the president of the NFL Players Association. He credits former teammate Don Muhlbach for getting him interested in the union.

“Over the years it kind of grew to listening, to speaking up more. The previous two years I’ve been on the executive committee so I’ve been able to see things on a deeper level,’’ Reeves-Maybin said.

He was originally drafted by the Lions in the fourth round in 2017. He left Detroit to play for the Texans for the 2022 season and was released in March 2023. He immediately re-signed with Detroit.

Reeves-Maybin was the NFC’s only special teams representative in February’s Pro Bowl.

Detroit Lions bolster defensive line signing free agent D.J. Reader

ALLEN PARK — Veteran defensive tackle D.J. Reader has agreed to a two-year deal with the Detroit Lions which is worth up to $27.5 million.

“The energy as soon as I got here today was amazing. I was super happy, saw some familiar faces, that was a really good feel. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be,’’ Reader said during a Thursday night press conference.

Reader, who turns 30 in July, was on the radar visited the Lions on Thursday. He fills a huge need on the defensive line, a point of emphasis for the offseason needs.

“The physicality of it, that’s the best part, the best part (of the defensive line),’’ Reader said.

It’s expected he’ll play alongside Alim McNeil forming a powerhouse duo.

“I’m super excited, he’s a young player who has a lot of talent. He’s also a Carolina guy, I’m super happy about that. I love the guys from Carolina. I feel we have the best athletes in the country, you can quote that one. I’m excited to pair with him, seeing things he does well, I watch him all the time on film. I’m excited to pick his brain about what he likes about the position,’’ Readed said.

Reader, whose nickname is BBQ, spent the last four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and helped them reach two straight AFC Championships and Super Bowl LVI.

“Things happen, sometimes things don’t work out in a relationship and you have to move on. The Lions are a better opportunity and I’m really, really excited about it,’’ Reader said.

Last season he played and started in 14 games last season with one sack, 34 tackles, a pass defense and a fumble recovery. He missed the end of the season after tearing a quad tendon.

He said while rehab is not a walk in the park, it’s coming along and expects to be ready to start the season.

The 6-foot-3, 335-pound defensive tackle was a fifth-round draft pick out of Clemson in 2016 by the Houston Texans and spent his first four seasons there before moving to Cincinnati.

He’s the fourth key defensive addition this offseason including two cornerbacks, Carlton Davis III and Amik Robertson; and edge rusher Marcus Davenport.