Free agent cornerback Vontae Davis wants to sign with a new team before the unrestricted free agent period begins on March 14, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Because he was released during the 2017 campaign, Davis is not considered an unrestricted free agent. Instead, he’s a “street’ free agent, which means he’s free to sign with any club at any time. Theoretically, that designation could give Davis a leg up, as he’s not currently competing with an impressive crop of UFA corners that includes Trumaine Johnson and Malcolm Butler.
Davis confirmed that he has thus far met with four clubs: the Bills, Browns, 49ers, and — most recently — Raiders. All four teams are in great need of defensive back help, and Davis could be a cheaper option than the cornerbacks who are set to hit the open market next month. Davis, 29, recently gained medical clearance after dealing with a core injury in 2017, so interested parties have confidence that he’s now healthy.
While Davis struggled with ineffectiveness and injury last year, he was an extremely competent cornerback as recently as 2016, when he ranked 11th in Football Outsiders’ success rate. A former first-round pick, Davis earned Pro Bowl nods in both 2014 and 2015.