Mays

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Lions secured decent value with Cade Mays at $2.5M AAV over three years, landing what amounts to a fair deal for a solid starter-caliber guard. This C-grade CVI reflects appropriate market positioning for a player who brings reliable but unspectacular production to Detroit's offensive line rebuild. At 25, Mays is entering his prime years, making the three-year commitment sensible from both a development and salary cap perspective. The modest annual average creates manageable risk even if his play plateaus, while offering upside if he continues ascending from his promising early career trajectory. Detroit gets a dependable interior lineman without breaking the bank, filling a crucial need while maintaining flexibility to address other roster priorities — exactly the type of shrewd, mid-tier signing that builds sustainable depth.

Performance AnalysisPre-Debut

Mays has not yet appeared in an NFL regular season game. A performance grade will be automatically generated once career statistics become available and the 16-game minimum is reached.

Fan Sentiment

Detroit lands a quality interior lineman upgrade in a position of need. Multiple headlines confirm the move, with Dan Campbell personally hyping Mays as a clear roster improvement. Campbell's enthusiasm — 'This guy upgrades us' — signals genuine conviction, not just depth-filling. Fans are buzzing about which incumbents lose roster spots, suggesting real competition created. Mays projects as a legitimate starter, solidifying Detroit's offensive line continuity heading into 2026.