Cade Mays

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Detroit Lions handed out a significant overpay to center Cade Mays, awarding him an F CVI with this three-year, $25M deal that averages $8.3M annually. Paying elite starter money to an unproven center represents a massive disconnect between production and compensation — Mays is getting paid like a top-10 center despite having minimal NFL track record to justify that investment. The Lions essentially bet $14M guaranteed on pure potential, which is a dangerous gamble at a position where consistency and experience typically drive value more than raw athleticism. While the three-year structure provides some flexibility compared to longer commitments, the guaranteed money still represents substantial dead cap risk if Mays fails to develop into the anchor they're envisioning. Detroit's front office clearly sees something in Mays' physical tools, but this contract assumes a developmental leap that historically happens for very few centers making this kind of money without established production.

Performance Analysis

Cade Mays pulls an F for the Lions at center, a grade that reflects a lineman who has not been able to compete at the NFL level when given opportunities. Mays has the size to play in the interior, but his technique and ability to handle NFL defensive tackles have been well below the Lions' standard. Detroit's offensive line has been a strength of the team, and Mays is clearly not part of that equation. His inability to improve has limited him to an emergency-only role. The Lions have better options across the board, and Mays is a player whose NFL window appears to be closing.

Current Sentiment

Cade Mays carries a D+ sentiment grade that reflects the lukewarm reception surrounding a depth center who has failed to justify his $8.3M AAV investment over four NFL seasons. The media narrative around Mays is defined by underwhelming production and a concerning lack of impact—most notably his zero career sacks, which signals either a positional mismatch or systematic underutilization that has drawn quiet skepticism from analysts. His modest public visibility works against him, as the absence of recent coverage suggests he's neither contributing meaningfully nor creating controversy, leaving him in an unfavorable middle ground where fans and media remain cautiously neutral at best. At his current compensation level, Mays represents the type of middling roster investment that generates more questions than confidence, particularly when his on-field contributions haven't moved the needle for Detroit's offensive line. The sentiment reflects a player operating in the shadows—not actively criticized but certainly not celebrated, which for a center earning significant money creates an underlying current of doubt about his long-term value proposition.